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(c) Elliott Publishing.

Striking Out
ChrisCrossings · June 3, 1999

Q: With the recent chaos created by the American Airlines strike, I'm curious if there's a resource that could help travelers anticpate job actions on airlines up to 30 days prior to planned travel.

- Tom Hranicka

A: You mean, does anyone have a reasonably accurate crystal ball? Sorry. No one knows when an airline's pilots or flight attendants or mechanics might go on strike. It's best to keep an eye on news reports before your trip. That way you won't show up at the airport with nowhere to go. Another great resource are the dissident Web sites, like Untied.com, where a careful observer can determine how disaffected you airline crew is. Click on over to the union sites, too, if you're worried. For example, the Association of Flight Attendants' home page could tip you off to an imminent strike. So can the Air Line Pilots Association, the pilot's union.

Maybe it's my imagination, but the labor disputes of late have been unusually disruptive. I'm not just thinking of American, but Northwest and America West. Is management getting greedier or is the workforce making a money grab? I'm not just saying this because of my socialist roots, Tom, but I think management is letting their earnings success make them borderline delusional. They have no desire to share the profits with the rank-and-file, and that's why so many trips are being interrupted by strikes.

Disagree with my politics if you want, but do this before your next airline trip: Either use your credit card (American Express and Visa, for example, offer some measure of protection if you use their card. Check the fine print of your contract for details.) Or, if you're a cash-only kinda guy, take out some travel insurance. Per-trip premiums from the likes of CSA are reasonable -- usually less than $50 -- and offer peace of mind about your upcoming vacation.

Chances are pretty good that you're going to need it this summer. From what I can tell, there will be at least one major strike. Maybe more.

If you suspect some kind of work stoppage, do yourself a favor and don't plan a flight to a destination that, for all intents and purposes, is served by a single carrier. Northwest's labor trouble brought Detroit and Minneapolis-St. Paul to a virtual standstill, because the carrier is so dominant at those airports. Even if, by some miracle, you find an airline that will take you there, you can bet the bank that the flights will be hopelessly overbooked.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying that if you even suspect there might be a work stoppage then do yourself a favor and postpone or replan your vacation. Take the car, the bus, the boat. But whatever you do, stay out of the air.

Because nothing can ruin a vacation like a strike.

Christopher Elliott can be reached at christopher@elliott.org. Or visit his home page at http://www.elliott.org.