United Airlines, US Airways deal gets curiouser and curiouser

Six weeks ago, when the new US Airways route from Pittsburgh to London was announced, it seemed that our favorite air carrier had cleared a final hurdle and was speeding toward a positive future. This week, we learned that when it comes to the future, fliers from Pittsburgh International are likely to be United.

The announcement that United Airlines will buy US Airways came as a surprise because it followed so closely such seemingly positive developments. But the news should shock no frequent travelers, as it's a development forecast by many pundits during these two decades of airline deregulation. Indeed, it's amazing US Airways has survived as an independent carrier this long.

At any rate, it's far too soon to predict with any degree of confidence what long-term impacts this development will have on local travelers, employment and economic development.

Although the joint management of the two carriers is billing this as a win/win situation for employees, passengers and shareholders, it's easy to be skeptical about the anticompetitive consequences on a wide range of issues.

Rosy-lensed scenarios envision Pittsburgh International both maintaining its status as a hub for a major airline and attracting the benefits of increased competition from other carriers, both large and small. After all, we are the proud stewards of one of the world's great airports.

With a little foresight and a lot of energy, it might someday even qualify as a world port.

This area has all the amenities and availability to make it a prime center for international commerce.

Of course, it's also reasonable to conclude that unless other issues that govern the ebb and flow of airline traffic are addressed by coordinated civic efforts, exercising whatever leverage can be brought to bear, local air travelers may continue to be held hostage by a massively dominant airline that can do and charge what it wants. In fact, a skeptic might conclude that this eventuality is more likely.

It is, however, clear that Pittsburgh will have even less a place in the hearts and minds of United Airlines management than it did with that of US Airways.

And although there are assurances that prices and services will not suffer, it's also fair to question the motivation and commitment of the airline's management, especially those who have reaped sufficient rewards in their four years of stewardship to require several Airbuses to haul it all away. Few Third World despots do as well.

Will we in time be expected to pay in higher fares for the premium price United has agreed to pay US Airways shareholders?

Again, only time will tell if we've been fleeced by a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Of course, other deals to sell this airline have been undone, and this deal isn't likely to be completed for at least a year, if indeed ever. Although the boards of both carriers have approved the transaction, the devil is always in the details, and significant hurdles remain.

And even if all the deal's details fall smoothly into place, a year is a practical eternity in the airline industry.

Will this acquisition unleash a chain of similar consolidations among the major carriers? Shifting alliances among the airlines, such as OneWorld and the Star Alliance, have taken on characteristics Machiavelli's Prince would have appreciated. The skies of the world may have a very different look in 12 months.

In the meantime, however, it's also likely to be business as usual, for most passengers. In matters of price, schedule and service, little is likely to change before any deal is consummated. While there may be some juggling of frequent flier programs, there's no reason to question whether a US Airways ticket is valid, or future reservation reliable.

Unless of course, there's a thunderstorm somewhere in the system.

The more things stay the same, the more they change.

Evaluating the risks of amusement

As Carey Checca's roundup in this week's Sunday travel shows, amusement parks around the region and across America are competing more fiercely than ever, with each other building new thrill rides.

Technology is dramatically transforming the ride experience. In addition to enveloping riders with clever concepts and surrounding them with holographic images and animatronic monsters, they are being sent to new heights, rocketed through tighter twists and turns, subjected to greater G forces.

There's no question that these new rides are thrilling, but with the death of four park patrons in one week last August, it's also fair to ask: Are they safe?

Statistically at least, the answer is probably a qualified yes.

Though six times higher than the annual average, last year's amusement park death rate was still infinitesimal compared to the 300 million park visits.

But ride-related injuries are increasing alarmingly, rising at nearly twice the increase in park visitorship.

There are two main reasons for the increase in injuries. Young thrill seekers ignore posted safety warnings. And aging backs and necks can't take the whiplash and G forces generated by many new thrill rides.

Another problem is that there is no national inspection requirements or safety standards for amusement parks. Curiously, language barriers may be another factor, as more and more big parks are importing foreign students to man the booths in the summer. Cedar Point, for example, has hired several hundred European students for this summer's season. While the practice fosters a certain international flavor, it may also contribute to communications breakdowns.

All that said, however, major theme parks generally go to great lengths to ensure that their rides are well-engineered and maintained and that staff members get sufficient training to manage the safety of their patrons. That's not always the case with smaller amusement parks and ride attractions that are trucked from fairground to fairground.

Without abstaining totally from thrill seeking, what can a rider, or a rider's parent, do to minimize the negative possibilities?

First, be observant. Look for clues that a ride is being properly maintained and managed. Though no absolute guarantee, a good paint job is one indication, while rust spots or dented equipment should raise red flags. More importantly, do attendants seem alert and on the job, manually checking safety harnesses and seat belts and immediately removing any rule-breaking riders?

Next, heed medical warnings and posted physical limitation signs and follow all the ride's safety instructions. Coaster dare devils who fling their arms in the air are putting themselves at peril. Be a responsible and critical rider, and never entrust your body, or your child's body, to any amusement that seems the least bit questionable.

Finally, pay attention to pain. After being on a ride, anyone who develops a new pain or a headache that doesn't go away the next day should definitely see a doctor. It's part of being safe rather than sorry.