On my last flight, USAir from Philadelphia to Long Island-McArthur, the
plane had bald tires. It was a small plane, no boarding tunnel, and the
pilot was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when we departed. I asked
him
about the bald tires. He said it only mattered during landing, if the
runway
was slippery. Nice answer. I like all these bankrupt airlines. I really
do.

Reminds me of a jumper flight from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel. Bald tires
on the 5 passenger Cessna. Apparently 'aircraft maintenance' doesn't
translate into Spanish. What was funnier was the plastic Jesus on the dash;
I'm NOT kidding. That and the pilot and copilot turning to each other, just
before throttling up, and making the sign of the cross to each other.
Wheeeee!