Survival Tips for Air Travelers

Feeling smug because your ticket back home for Thanksgiving isn’t on American Airlines? Sorry, Charlie; unless there is a speedy settlement, the overflow of American’s jilted passengers could turn this hectic week into bedlam for anyone heading toward a U.S. airport. Here’s some advice for the harried traveler:

* Time is your enemy if you have tight connections between flights, regardless of the airline. Your flight, especially Wednesday through Sunday, will be delayed. If you don’t have at least an hour between flights, bring along coats or whatever you’ll need for a stopover in your connecting city--including a calling card to break the news to loved ones. And extra money.

* Be doubly sure that you have confirmed seat assignments and boarding passes. Having only a confirmed space on a flight could land you right in the “sorry, you’ve been bumped” dump.

* Know your options. Most airlines are accepting American’s tickets, if a seat is available. But in some cases they may allow you to swap only for a “comparable rate” seat--and you know how quickly those bargain slots fill up. Can you afford an upgrade?

* Travel light, packing only what you can carry on. If you must take a suitcase, pack enough in your carry-on to get you through at least one day until your luggage catches up with you, or vice versa.

* Flexibility will be your best friend. If your flight to Miami is unavailable, try heading into Ft. Lauderdale or Palm Beach and renting a car or taking a bus.

* Get to the airport early if you have those confirmed seats and boarding passes. Allow plenty of time to get to your gate--and an additional two hours on top of that. Not sure your flight is leaving? Check by phone, confirming as close to your scheduled departure time as you can.

* Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You’ll be the envy of the line if you bring a pillow, the kid’s blankie, snacks, your Walkman and some of those New Age mind-numbing tapes.