11.   But Justice has taken an aggressive stance against airline mergers, for good reason.

12.   But the misbehavior by some airlines at their hubs does not mean all airline mergers must necessarily be opposed.

13.   But there is also strong pressure on the administration, especially in light of a spate of large airline mergers, to promote competition.

14.   But there is great skepticism that his vision is accurate, and by any measure, this is a terrible moment to propose an airline merger.

15.   But U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat and an opponent of airline mergers, said that is notenough reason to allow the largest airlines to get bigger.

16.   By any measure, this is a terrible moment to propose an airline merger.

17.   Congress took another look Wednesday at proposed airline mergers, and the lawmakers again brought to the discussions a familiar mix of the personal and political.

18.   Congress is experiencing no delays responding to airline mergers and passenger complaints.

19.   Coulter said the deal was not designed as a merger, because airline mergers in the recent past have been unsuccessful.

20.   Delta, Continental and Northwest may feel pressure to make deals of their own to keep up, though daunting labor issues always complicate airline mergers.