41.   He said that even if the United Airlines-US Airways proposal is rejected, other airline mergers could receive federal approval.

42.   Legislation pending in both houses of Congress would halt all airline mergers while the effects of such combinations are studied.

43.   Mineta made his comments after first opposing legislation to impose a one-year moratorium on all airline mergers.

44.   One of the thorniest issues in airline mergers is how to create one work force from two or more combining airlines.

45.   Wade, the government attorney, declined comment Thursday on what the Northwest-Continental deal could bode for other proposed airline mergers.