STORY:
Mormon Missionaries Grounded

Church tells members to avoid flying because of possible Y2K problems

The Mormon Church has missionaries all over the world. They travel day in and day out around the globe, but this New Year you won’t be finding church members flying on New Year's Eve. The Mormon Church has told all its members and missionaries to avoid flying because of the possible Y2K computer problems.

Members are being asked not to fly between December 30 and January 5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made this request in a written letter to its membership.

"In view of lingering uncertainties as to the precise effect on air travel of the Y2K phenomenon, the church has instructed all employees and missionaries worldwide not to travel by air" Dale Bills told the Associated Press.

The Mormon Church has 60,000 missionaries and hundreds more who are graduating from the Missionary Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The letter lets all of them know that the church will not allow them to fly on those days. The memo also includes church workers and leaders of the priesthood.

Brigham Young University is also restricting air travel of staff and faculty during the same time period. The Mormon Church owns BYU. Anyone who falls into any of these roles within the Mormon Church must get administrative exemptions to fly during the restricted time periods.

This letter was distributed after the FAA made its announcement that U.S. air carriers are Y2K compliant. However, experts are less certain about international air travel. There is still some concern about airlines in Eastern Europe and Africa and Asia.

United, Delta, American and other carriers are cutting back on their flying schedules because so many people have decided not to book flights over the New Year holiday. Northwest Airlines has canceled about 400 domestic flights and Southwest Airlines has canceled all flights for ten hours beginning at 10p.m. December 31.

Source: Associated Press

DATE: 12/6/99

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