Bankruptcy: Bus Lines Can Do It, Too

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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Airlines have no monopoly on using bankruptcy to clean up their balance sheets: Coach America, the major bus operator, announced that it, too, would seek to shed debt and lower costs through Chapter 11.

Like American Airlines, it promises that as a traveler, “you won’t feel a thing.” Although you may not recognize the brand name “Coach America,” it operates public transit services, airport shuttles, casino and cruise shuttles, and sightseeing tours in some of the country’s major visitor destinations.

I see no reason to doubt the company’s promise of no adverse effects for ordinary travelers. Instead, the hurt will likely be confined to the usual suspects: stockholders, creditors and employees.

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