RT: But do they deserve it? Mike Burris Cambridge, Massachusetts Original Message: ----------------- From: RT Simpson BraniffIntl@aol.com Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2001 10:33:06 EST To: AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU Subject: Using The B Word Well, there it is for everyone to see on the front page of The Arizona Republic - AmWest may declare bankruptcy next week if they don't get a loan guarantee today or Monday from the Feds. Why next week? Apparently there's a $75m lease payment due and they aint got the cash for it. Will this be the end of the world for Cactus...certainly not, as they have strong hubs in both Phoenix and Las Vegas and have made money competing against Southwest. A bk filing would certainly get some of their costs under control as their poor credit rating dictates high price leases. And the word bankruptcy no longer puts fear into the heart of the flying public as it once did (remember AmWest filed before in '91). At this time I don't see any other carrier interested in bailing them out due to their own economic problems. Plus their fleet of A320s, B737s and B757s make sense for only one carrier and that airline is in no position to give this a thought. My gut (a lot more intuitive after being engorged for the holidays) sez Cactus will get their money from the Feds. With friends in high places (Senators John McCain and John Kyl) the squeaky landing wheels usually get the oil! RT Simpson Phoenix -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .