11.   The company is in contract talks with its pilots union, and says some workers, frustrated with the negotiations, have stopped requesting voluntary overtime.

12.   The union said that pilots have a contractual right to refuse to fly voluntary overtime and denies that there is a concerted campaign to put pressure on the company.

13.   The union has repeatedly said that it is not orchestrating any slowdown, but Holm said that individual Delta pilots had a contractual right to refuse voluntary overtime.

14.   Delta Air Lines also expects slowdowns and cancellations through Thanksgiving week because pilots seeking a new contract have stopped requesting voluntary overtime.

15.   Northwest also said there had been a marked decrease in the amount of voluntary overtime mechanics were working in the few days before Thanksgiving.

16.   Northwest has accused mechanics of causing flight delays and cancellations by staging a work slowdown and refusing voluntary overtime during the busy year-end holiday period.

17.   The union has urged pilots who fly voluntary overtime to continue doing so.

18.   Thornton said the airline has found hardly any mechanics willing to work voluntary overtime.