81.   The Department of Transportation claims to have more far-reaching powers to rein in the big airlines than the Justice Department.

82.   The Department of Transportation on Monday proposed new guidelines designed to restrict big airlines from unfairly competing and trying to drive small carriers out of the market.

83.   The discussions are being closely watched by Wall Street analysts, who say any big airline merger will probably bring about even more consolidation within the industry.

84.   The jets have longer range and higher cruising speeds than turboprops, enabling commuters to expand their reach, boost productivity and better coordinate operations with big airlines.

85.   The legislation also would require regulators to examine whether big airlines are squeezing out little commuter airlines.

86.   The government has backed away from longstanding plans favored by management to sell majority control to private investors, including a big international airline as a strategic partner.

87.   The union had demanded the board seat last spring as a prerequisite to changing the contract, which prohibits code-sharing with another big domestic airline.

88.   These were heady days for the big airlines, as they finally capitalized on the promises of deregulation.

89.   They also believe small airlines often get grounded for offenses that would lead to a wrist-slapping fine at a big airline.

90.   This is not a knock on the big airlines or their efficiency in transporting billions of passengers or their safety records.