§  1.718   Unsatisfied informal complaints; formal complaints relating back
to the filing dates of informal complaints.

   When an informal complaint has not been satisfied pursuant to § 1.717,
   the complainant may file a formal complaint with this Commission in the
   form specified in § 1.721. Such filing will be deemed to relate back to
   the filing date of the informal complaint: Provided, That the formal
   complaint: (a) Is filed within 6 months from the date of the carrier's
   report, (b) makes reference to the date of the informal complaint, and
   (c) is based on the same cause of action as the informal complaint. If
   no formal complaint is filed within the 6-month period, the complainant
   will be deemed to have abandoned the unsatisfied informal complaint.

   [ 51 FR 16040 , Apr. 30, 1986]