November? Already? How different it is for little kids who think there is a generation between one Christmas and another. November is a stepping stone to the yearend holiday celebration, which this year will have both special meaning and reasons for concern. Regardless of assurances, people wonder what will happen to our computerized support system when 1999 turns into the 21st century. With this in mind, I read with interest JAL's recent press release, that the company intended to operate its regular international flight schedule during the 2000 changeover except for variations because of demand trends and air traffic control requirements.

Demand will limit European flights Dec. 31 mainly because of cancellation of tours by Japanese agencies although they will operate normally Jan. 1. The announcement was made to assure passengers that JAL is 100 percent Y2K compliant. We were also told that JAL, ANA and JAS had carried out demonstration flights in cooperation with civil aviation experts to prove preparedness on both the ground and in the air. That's reassuring, although one paper chose to headlined its story, JAL cancels nine flights on Dec. 31. It's rather like judging a glass to be half empty or half full.

Still, a reader expresses the concern many must feel when she asks what preparations we should make for possible problems as we ring in the new year and a new century. If you have your earthquake kit prepared, you have a good Y2K start -- unless the worst disaster scenarios occur, in which case you will need luck as well as preparedness. Basically, if the lights go out you will want your own source so have plenty of batteries on hand and know where flashlights/lanterns are. Think about how to stay warm if you can't turn on the heat or use electric blankets.