Travel agents prepare for possible Northwest mechanics' strike

La Crosse Tribune, Aug 19, 2005 by Cahalan, Steve

Local travel agents will be at their computers, preparing to re-book flights if necessary, if Northwest Airlines union mechanics go on strike at 11:01 p.m. tonight.

"Hopefully there will be a settlement," La Crosse Municipal Airport Manager Dan Wruck said Thursday.

A strike "wouldn't have the same impact here that it might in other areas, because we're fortunate in having the other carriers" that serve the La Crosse airport, Wruck said. If a strike grounds Northwest Airlines flights, he said, "People won't have great difficulty leaving La Crosse, but it could impact their travel down the road" with connecting flights.

Company officials have said Northwest will continue to fly its airplanes even if the mechanics go on strike.

Two Northwest DC-9 aircraft fly from La Crosse to Minneapolis each weekday, said Dave Friedman, owner of Friedman's Hobbit Travel in La Crosse. Two regional affiliates, Mesaba Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines, fly a combined total of five smaller Northwest Airlink airplanes from La Crosse to Minneapolis each weekday. Midwest Connect has three flights each weekday from La Crosse to Milwaukee, and American Eagle has three flights each weekday to Chicago.

Friedman said he thinks the number of flights from La Crosse would stay the same next week, even if the Northwest mechanics go on strike. He said he would be less optimistic if the Northwest pilots union or flight attendants union engage in some activity.

"I think if 'one or both of those unions walk, then I think Northwest has a major problem on its hands," Friedman said.

If the two Northwest DC-9s that fly from La Crosse each weekday were grounded, Friedman said, I don't think there would be enough empty seats (on other airlines that serve La Crosse) to cover everybody."

Mary Mickelson, manager of corporate travel for Carlson Wagonlit Travel in La Crosse, said she thinks enough seats would be available this weekend on other flights from the city, as many empty seats remain.

Some customers have been avoiding booking flights on Northwest for the next few days because of the possible mechanics strike, Mickelson said.

"I think some of the more inexperienced travelers are avoiding them," she said, adding that more experienced travelers seem less worried about dealing with flight delays or cancellations.

"Northwest assures us they have a contingency plan in effect and that they're going to fly" even if a strike occurs, Mickelson said. "But I believe we are going to experience some delays and cancellations" nationwide if a strike occurs. "There's always the domino effect."