From CNN Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten

ROMULUS, Michigan (CNN) -- Northwest Airlines is flying with a load of excess baggage in the form of labor woes that just won't go away.

On Wednesday, the machinists' union voted to authorize a strike, and the pilots' union may strike as early as August 29.

Northwest pilots have been without a contract for two years. The issues range from pay to worries that jobs are being lost because Northwest is contracting out commuter flights to regional airlines, which pay pilots much less.

"I think they've destroyed an enormous amount of teamwork and goodwill that we've built together since we've come from the edge of bankruptcy," said pilot Jerry Fielding.

The company insists it simply can't give the pilots everything they want, since it must also consider the interests of stockholders and consumers.

Although a walkout isn't likely for a few weeks, travelers already are deluging one Detroit travel agency with calls about Northwest.

"They're getting worried. They're getting very anxious," said Pam Nikitas of Joan Anderson Travel.

Some travelers are buying tickets on other airlines as insurance against a strike.

Even if Northwest pilots leave their cockpits for the picket lines, the planes won't necessarily be grounded for long. President Clinton has the power to invoke a 60-day cooling off period. He used that power as recently as a year ago to help end a labor dispute at American Airlines.

Members of the pilots' union are optimistic that August 29 will come and go without the need for presidential intervention.

"We feel like that won't take place. We're against it and we feel we can settle this at the table," Fielding said.

If an early settlement is not reached, thousands of travelers' itineraries may be left up in the air.

But Nikitas said travelers should not cancel their plans if they are already scheduled to fly with Northwest.

"You've got plans that are made. There's always other options," she said.