If just the mechanics strike then you will have a very good chance of your flight going as scheduled. NW is "stockpiling" trained mechnanics and contracting with their normal outsource providers. The mechanices they will be using are FAA certified so you should be fine. I think this will start to effect them as the week wears on and it gets tougher to make it work with a smaller staff, but unless the plane breaks I would not think that by Sunday you will see much impact
The big risk is that the Flight Attendant's will refuse to cross the picket lines. They are not happy with the offers NW is giving them for thier upcoming negoitations and just might not cross the lines!
I would do some reserach now on what other options there are. It helps to be prepared. If NW goes on strike first try calling. Chances are that the lines will be packed and hold times will be horrible. If you finally do get thru they will say "your plane is flying" (They do however, lie! LOL!)
In all cases get to the airport extra early. If even a few flights are cancelled be prepared for LONG lines.
If you have done your reserach and know that DL or another airline has a flight you would like when you get to the person either on phone or at the airport say "I know DL has flight XXX, can I get on that" Remember that in cases like this you get farther by being nice. The jerk who cusses out the Gate Agent is liable to get nowhere in a hurry. Those folks will be frazzled beyond belief. I always at least try to start with sympathy saying that I know this is not thier fault. (which it isn't...the gate agents don't want pay cuts either!)
