Philadelphia – Some US Airways passengers who flew through Philadelphia during last week’s winter storm still didn’t have their luggage by Tuesday, an apparent step back for a company battling persistent baggage complaints.
“It’s been a nightmare,” said Joe McLean, a 56-year-old advertising salesman from Springfield, Pa., whose Valentine’s Day flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles was canceled. “They told me it’s been located at some airport, and they’re sending it back, but I’ve been waiting for days.”
McLean said he stood in line for 2 1/2 hours to file a lost-baggage claim.
US Airways canceled 670 flights into and out of Philadelphia as a major winter storm hit the Northeast last week. Thousands of bags were separated from their owners. The airline first promised that all bags would be delivered by Monday, but that didn’t happen.
On Tuesday morning, at least 200 bags were still lined up in the baggage area at Philadelphia International Airport. US Airways has been trying to improve its baggage service after a meltdown two years ago. A sickout by flight attendants and baggage handlers in December 2004 stranded thousands of pieces of luggage in Philadelphia.
DENVER
Red Cross official given 9News honor
The Colorado Leadership Alliance and 9News have named Christine Benero as the 2007 9News Leader of the Year. Benero is chief executive of the Mile Hi Chapter of the American Red Cross.
In partnership with the Denver Metro Chamber Foundation and TIAA-CREF, the award recognizes an emerging leader who has made a lasting contribution to the well- being of the community.
Benero will be honored at a ceremony April 5 at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
DENVER
Hotel-occupancy rates in Denver flat for Jan.
Hotel-occupancy rates in metro Denver were flat in January compared with the same month last year, while statewide rates rose slightly, according to the monthly Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, released Tuesday.
Statewide, occupancy rates were up 1.1 percentage points, to 56.8 percent, while room rates jumped $14.46, to $135.14.
In the metro area, occupancy rates were basically flat, at 57.2 percent, and room rates increased $10.38, to $102.72.
BOULDER
Craft brewers’ sales in U.S. up 11.7% in ’06
Craft brewers, many of them in Colorado, saw an 11.7 percent increase in sales volume in 2006, according to the Brewers Association, which tabulates industry growth.
The increase comes after strong growth in each of the prior three years.
The Boulder-based association estimates 2006 sales by craft brewers at more than 6.6 million barrels (one barrel equals 31 gallons) – up from an adjusted total of just fewer than 6 million barrels in 2005. For 2006, craft beer posted a retail sales figure of $4.2 billion.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
First Data agrees to buy software firm
First Data Corp., a Greenwood Village-based provider of electronic-commerce services, announced Tuesday it has signed an agreement to acquire Intelligent Results, a Bellevue, Wash.- based customer-data analytics and decision-management software company.
First Data anticipates closing the transaction in the first quarter of 2007. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SANTA FE
El Niño storms drive strong N.M. ski season
Strong El Niño storms are helping to propel New Mexico’s ski industry toward one of its best seasons in more than a decade, Ski New Mexico announced Tuesday.
The state has seen a 60 percent increase in skier visits over last winter, and several of its nine ski resorts have set record snowfalls, according to the industry trade group.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Gold producer to sell shares for future deals
Golden Star Resources Ltd., which produces gold in Ghana, announced Tuesday it will sell shares to raise money for a stake in a power plant and for development of mining projects. The shares fell nearly 9 percent.
About $10 million will be spent on a 25 percent stake in the power plant in Ghana, which will be owned by partners including Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp., Gold Fields Ltd. and Anglo Gold Ashanti Ltd., Golden Star said in a regulatory filing.
Shares of Golden Star fell 34 cents, or 8.8 percent, to $3.52 on the American Stock Exchange.
WASHINGTON
Struts in GTO cars prompt investigation
General Motors Corp.’s Pontiac GTO high-performance cars are being investigated by a U.S. safety agency because of complaints that rubbing by a steering strut caused tire failures.
The inquiry covers 2004-06 GTOs with V-8 engines, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday on its website. About 41,000 cars may be affected, the agency said.
HAGERSTOWN, Md.
Steel firm must sell mill in antitrust case
The Justice Department on Tuesday ordered global steel giant Mittal Steel Co. to sell its Sparrows Point mill near Baltimore to settle antitrust issues raised by the Dutch company’s recent merger with Arcelor SA.
The proposed consent decree would allow Mittal to keep a Weirton, W.Va., mill that had volunteered to be sold to preserve competition for tin-plated steel, used primarily for food and aerosol cans.
DETROIT
Labor expert: Ford may ask to cut pay
Ford Motor Co. is in a “meltdown” and may ask the United Auto Workers union to accept reduced pay and benefits during this year’s contract talks, a labor economist said.
Ford may seek union backing for a plan to cut wages and benefits by 20 percent, said Sean McAlinden, an analyst at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. That could lower costs by $1.4 billion annually for four years, McAlinden estimated.
ROUND ROCK, Texas
Dell to pay ex-CEO $5 million severance
Dell Inc. will pay Kevin Rollins, its former chief executive, a severance package that includes $5 million in cash over the next two years.
