AMERICAN FLIES AGAIN; ANALYSTS EXPECT LITTLE EFFORT TO WIN BACK ANGRY CUSTOMERS.

Byline: Katie Fairbank Associated Press 

As American Airlines restores operations to normal, the nation's second-largest airline is expected to take steps to win back the business of passengers alienated by cancellations during a pilots' sickout.

But experts say that because of high demand for seats, travelers shouldn't expect big fare cuts after this labor dispute. What's more, American already is cutting back spring flight schedules in anticipation that its pilots will refuse voluntary overtime.

Randy Petersen, publisher of InsideFlyer frequent-flier magazine, said he expects the airline to use frequent flier miles as an apology rather than money.

``I don't think we're going to see a lot of big fare slashes. American is more conservative. They don't like to do things everyone else would match,'' he said.

John Hotard, a spokesman for American's parent company, AMR Corp., said because of federal requirements he could not comment on whether there would be a fare sale.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline saw more than 6,000 of its flights canceled over the past 10 days due to a dispute with its pilots union that degenerated into a sickout. About 600,000 travelers were inconvenienced by scrubbed takeoffs and delays on American flights.

Tamara Martin returned home to Miami on Tuesday on a United Airlines flight. Delays and cancellations prompted her to scrap plans to return from Puerto Rico on an American flight Monday.

``I really doubt I would ever fly American again,'' Martin said. ``I know it will be an inconvenience to myself and it probably wouldn't make a difference to their business but I think I owe it to myself to stop flying American after what we've been through.''

In the past, airlines regularly coaxed customers back with reduced prices. Northwest Airlines ran an extended fare sale last year while it weathered months of labor unrest.

Still, American has usually used frequent flier miles to entice travelers. When pilots briefly walked off the job on Valentine's Day in 1997, the airline offered double bonus miles rather than cost reductions.

``They are the savviest in using those miles and programs to satisfy people's complaints,'' Petersen said.

To appease travel agents who have been overwhelmed by the changes in schedules, American on Monday decided to pay commissions for tickets that were later refunded because of the sickout. Commissions are not usually paid in that situation.

Tourism experts expect the public and travel agents to continue to book with American.

``I think memories are short-lived in these situations. Travelers will base their choice on price rather than short-term problems with service,'' said Sheryl Spivack, a tourism specialist at George Washington University.

Jim Monroe of Boston, who was boarding an American flight at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, agreed.

``American Airlines is usually my first choice. It won't change. I've had good experience with them in the past, plus I'm in their frequent flier program,'' Monroe said. ``I don't hold it against the airline.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) An American Airlines pilot walks around a DC-10 during a preflight check at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Tuesday.

(2--Color) An American Airlines jet takes off at Dallas-Forth Worth airport. The company's operations are returning to normal after a labor dispute.

L.M. Otero/Associated Press