Airlines' flight attendants.

That was the claim yesterday by American's local general manager Ms Carol DeCouto.

Ms DeCouto said the only possible impact was a cut in meal services.

"Passengers may have to make do with snacks instead of a full meal.'' There was little prospect of flights being cancelled, added Ms DeCouto.

The union, representing 21,000 flight attendants, announced on Sunday it would strike before November 22.

A definite strike date was expected to be announced shortly by The Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

The row is over a United States government decision to approve shorter training periods for replacement flight attendant workers.

Union president Ms Denise Hedges said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had given American permission to shorten training from six weeks to eight days.

"This action by the Clinton administration not only jeopardises the safety of the public, it undermines our negotiations by strengthening the company's strike-breaking plans and by compressing the time we have left to reach a settlement.'' Contract negotiations between the airline and the union broke off on October 30.

American spokeswoman Ms Teresa Hanson said the modified flight attendant training began on Friday.

"The training is shorter because it will not include lessons on such things as food service and grooming,'' Ms Hanson said.

"We are training employees of American Airlines to be fully certified flight attendants.'' Ms Hanson added FAA representatives were monitoring the lessons.

Said Ms DeCouto yesterday: "We don't know yet what day the proposed strike will take place. It is anybody's guess.

"We anticipate, however, operating the company whatever happens. The company has been training a lot of management to take over at a moment's notice.'' She added: "We expect to operate as scheduled and don't anticipate any cancellations.'' American runs flights from Bermuda to Boston, Raleigh and New York.