1.   But a walkout hardly seems likely, because package volume drops precipitously after the holidays, making it easier for the company to weather a strike.

2.   Delta would have reported a slight profit if Comair had not weathered the strike, Chief Executive Leo Mullin said.

3.   However, by making contingency plans and relying heavily on the U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express and other carriers, business executives believe they can weather a strike.

4.   Meanwhile, AMR continued to build its war chest for weathering a strike.

5.   Most big businesses, on the other hand, appeared to be weathering the strike more effectively, or at least are conveying that image.

6.   Story so far will include Wall Street analysts who contradict the popularly held belief here that Boeing is in no position to weather a strike.

7.   That makes it more difficult for GM to weather another strike this autumn.

8.   Wall Street also seems to feel that Boeing has weathered the strike without a major long-term financial impact and has avoided alienating its major airline customers.

9.   US Airways had said it would halt operations rather than try to weather a strike.

10.   US Airways had said earlier that it would shut down operation rather than try to weather a strike.