TOUGH FLYING

First, Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori had to fly in coach class.
Then an American Airlines employee searched his luggage for contraband.

``It seems impertinent, unacceptable to me that a common employee of
American Airlines searched my baggage,'' Fujimori told reporters.
``What they should be doing is looking into whether American Airlines
employees are smuggling drugs.''

Fujimori complained he was bumped to economy class despite having a
first-class ticket for a flight from Kansas City to Dallas last
weekend. Because of a mix-up, he was traveling without his usual
security personnel.

Fujimori did not say in which airport his bags were searched. He
compared his treatment to what passengers deal with on Lima's cheap
city buses. ``To do this to the president of the republic is not
proper conduct,'' he said.

The airline issued a statement Thursday expressing ``our deepest
apology for any inconvenience we may have caused the president. The
matter is being investigated, and appropriate corrective action will
be taken.''