Denise - you didn't tell me that little story when insisting I pluck up enough courage to take the flight to Moscow. Sorry, but there's just no way I could do it now. It'll have to remain on my 'maybe I should have' list!! It was bad enough when I read somewhere that the air conditioning doesn't come on in the plane until the engines start! From someone who has a terrible fear of flying, it's all too much!

So as not to lose the opportunity, you might try booking on your own through a more major carrier. Just like we do in the States, airlines run between 2 major cities frequently. If done in advance, it wouldn't be that much more expensive, I would think, and if so, it'd be worth it for your peace of mind. Sometimes even outside-Russia carriers would do the routes--try Lufthansa, for instance. Based on what Denise said, I would not feel comfortable on that little airline, regardless of Regent's blessing.

I'm having enough trouble trying to cope with the fact that United have flight attendants older (much) than me!! Panic stations!

But they're awesome. Very no-nonsense. They've seen it all!

Thank heavens they have restrictions on the pilots - they do don't they Sue?

Yes, although some are trying to get this changed because when we lost our pensions, the PBGC penalizes us for retiring at 60 vice 65, even though it's mandated by the FAA. So they're trying to raise it to 65. (my personal opinion: I hope it doesn't pass, and the PBGC changes its rule instead.)

I've never flown with United but am this time as it's the airline my son uses and he's using his points to upgrade me - good enough reason?? Lee

Well, I do know alot of inside info that has me assuring you without reservation that UAL's maintenance practices & pilot training make it about the safest airline flying these days--along with others, of course, but it's this one I know intimately, and things the average traveler wouldn't know, like employee attitudes, training, etc. Even when we were in the throes of bankruptcy, I was amazed at the high level of professionalism I saw, at least in the cockpit.