Passengers skeptical about new date for 787's Denver-Tokyo flight

[unhappycamper]

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_22651592/passengers-skeptical-about-new-date-787s-denver-tokyo



Passengers skeptical about new date for 787's Denver-Tokyo flight
By Kristen Leigh Painter
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/24/2013 12:01:00 AM MST

United Airlines' announcement that it is postponing until mid-May the first Denver-to-Tokyo flight aboard Boeing Co.'s troubled 787 provided customers with a much-anticipated contingency plan. But experts — as well as the consumers — still question if the date is realistic and dependable.

The plane has been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration for more than a month after two aircraft battery fires. Boeing has proposed a fix that could return the aircraft to service by April at the earliest.

"If I were a betting man, and I am, I would put very low odds on the May 12 date happening," said passenger Michael Rubiano of the San Francisco Bay area. "There's no faith in the date because it's just a guessing game."

Rubiano is a self-professed "aviation geek" who had booked himself, his wife and two kids on the March 31 inaugural flight from Denver for a spring break trip — for the novelty. He no longer plans to take his family on the trip and is unsure he will fly on the new inaugural date, May 12.