ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110078
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
Passengers scheduled to fly on American Airlines after Saturday could run into problems if the pilots strike. There are no federal regulations governing what carriers must do for passengers in the event of a walkout.
Most travelers from Western Virginia should have few problems, said several Roanoke-area travel agents. Agents have received few calls from worried travelers, because neither American nor American Eagle flies out of Roanoke. Piedmont Triad International Airport at Greensboro, N.C., is the closest location served by American.
Travelers who could have the biggest problems, these agents said, are those who have booked flights to Caribbean or Central American locations that only American serves.
Here are tips in case of a strike:
* American has agreements with other major carriers and will try to reroute its passengers. It says it will give refunds to those who can't get other flights.
* If you have not yet bought a ticket for travel between Saturday and April 16, the most likely strike period, consider booking on another carrier.
* Flights on all carriers are filling up quickly, so buy your ticket as soon as feasible.
* If you have an American ticket for travel during the likely strike period, consider booking a refundable ticket on another airline.
* If you have an electronic ticket on American, try to get it converted to a conventional paper ticket. Electronic tickets can't be endorsed to another carrier and require other paperwork.
* Passengers holding frequent-flier tickets or consolidator tickets on American may find that other carriers won't accept them during the strike. American should, however, re-credit frequent-flier points for unused tickets.
* In the event of a strike, call an American reservations agent for assistance in re-routing. The company's toll-free telephone number is (800)433-7300.
Staff writer Megan Schnabel contributed to this report.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB