Strike averted (for now)

For several weeks now, I’ve been saying that Northwest Airlines probably won’t be crippled by a flight attendants’ strike. Looks as if I’m more or less right. A federal judge has ordered flight attendants to stay on the job, and has suggested that he may issue a permanent injunction against a strike.

This is good news for air travelers, some of whom booked Northwest tickets even though there was a reasonable chance that the airline could be affected by a strike or even shut down.

I wouldn’t say the airline is home free just yet. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero may still allow the flight attendants to strike. And then there’s that whole bankruptcy mess that needs to be worked out. It’s going to be a long, long time before Northwest is in the clear — and when it is, it probably won’t even be called Northwest anymore.

It might be Delta-Northwest. Hmmm. DeltaWest?

Or Continental-Northwest. I kind of like the sound of Continental West.

I also hear a lot of speculation that a smaller airline might be sucked into the conglomerate — something along the lines of US Airways, Alaska and Northwest.

But USWest/Alaska is too cumbersome. They should just hire an expensive ad agency to come up with a completely different name.

But I digress. The big question is: Would I buy a Northwest ticket now?

Answer: Not if I could help it.

Even if there’s a happy ending with the flight attendants strike, there’s still a lot about Northwest that is, as they say, “up in the air.” So your flight could be rescheduled or canceled at the last minute, forcing you to buy a more expensive ticket on another airline.

Bottom line: Book away if you can. At least for now.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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