Thursday, February 27, 1997

Effects of postponed American strike will linger

By TOM BELDEN

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

The tense negotiations leading up to a pilots' strike at American Airlines unsettled the travel business like few other recent events.

Thousands of business and leisure trips were postponed, or travelers were given circuitous routings on other airlines when it seemed likely that the nation's second-largest airline (United is largest) would have to suspend flights. Under orders from President Clinton, the pilots ended their strike only moments after it started, postponing a walkout for at least 60 days while a federal mediation board works to settle the dispute.

The travel industry tried to get back to normal last week, but business travelers will be experiencing the effects, both good and bad, for awhile yet.

Among the good things for many travelers was a flurry of discount fares offered by American to try to win back customers who shied away from the carrier when the strike loomed. Other major airlines matched most of the lower prices.

The best bargains, as usual, were available for trips booked 21 days in advance and including a Saturday-night stay away from home. But legions of business travelers, especially those going to meetings planned well in advance, use such fares because of the savings they provide over tickets bought at the last minute.

As a further enticement, American offered double miles and free upgrades to a higher class of service, on a space-available basis, to members of its AAdvantage frequent-flier program, through March 14. Other airlines matched that offer, too.

The possibility of a shutdown of American led to some creative marketing among other companies that provide services to business travelers.

Just before the strike deadline, Kinko's offered holders of American tickets 50 percent of the price of a videoconference.

When a strike was no longer an immediate threat, Kinko's withdrew the offer to American ticket-holders, but spokeswoman Laura McCormick said if a walkout does occur in the future, the company will reinstate the promotion.

Kinko's has 840 copying and business-services stores nationwide and runs videoconference facilities in partnership with Sprint, the communications company, in 140 of them. The standard rate for a point-to-point videoconference at Kinko's is $150 Monday through Thursday and $75 Friday through Sunday; both rates are per location, per hour.

Travel agents also were opportunistic, offering advice to business travelers about dealing with the uncertainties.

Travel One, the Mount Laurel, N.J. agency that has clients around the country, advised against using ticketless travel while a strike was a threat. Going ticketless, something most airlines have urged customers to try the past year or so, involves using only electronic reservations and forgoing a traditional paper ticket.

But if American hadn't been flying, the "E-res" you paid for wouldn't have been accepted on other airlines without American issuing you an old-fashioned ticket to prove it, said agency senior vice president Charles Roumas.

Travel One also offered some advice that's a good idea any time you travel: Pack additional essential items, such as medication you must take, in case your return home is delayed unexpectedly.