yahoo1,
Since INS is yet to release AC21 regulations there are many interpretations of law floating around...Given below is from my lawyer's site:
Must a labor certification application, if required, have been merely filed or must it be approved 365 days ago before this section takes effect?
AC-21 states and the June 19 memorandum reiterates that section 106(c) only permits H-1B extensions past the sixth year if an immigrant visa petition (Form I-140) or an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) have been filed AND 365 days or more have elapsed since the filing of the labor certification (ETA Form 750), if required, or the I-140. Therefore, if a labor certification is required, it must have been filed 365 days ago, and an I-140 immigrant visa petition must be filed based on an approved labor certification, in order to benefit from this provision. If a labor certification is not required, then the I-140 petition must have been filed at least 365 days before the end of the 6 year stay. The types of cases where a labor certification is NOT required before the filing of the I-140 immigrant visa petition are extraordinary ability alien, outstanding researchers, national interest waivers and multinational manager/executive petitions
In your case, you've to file for my I140 before Mar 2003 and apply for another H1 extension. This is totally based on interpretations and INS may have something in mind.
Hope by then INS would have released AC21 regulations and make it clear to everyone.