11.   Both the leader of the pilots union, Charles S. Giambusso, and Delta management expressed optimism that a new contact could be reached before the strike deadline.

12.   -- Abels said TWA and its pilots union continue to negotiate to try to settle a lawsuit filed last week by the pilots.

13.   A spokesman for the TWA unit of the pilots union could not be reached Tuesday.

14.   A spokesman for the Delta pilots union said he expects management will be looking at all the options.

15.   AirTran Airways and its pilots union are expected to announce a tentative contract agreement when the airline reports second quarter earnings today.

16.   Airline mergers traditionally run into trouble with pilots unions, which use seniority rankings to determine which pilots get to fly the most coveted schedules and routes.

17.   Airline officials said negotiating sessions could continue around the clock until the strike deadline set by the pilots union for just after midnight Friday.

18.   AirTran continues negotiations on a new contract with its pilots union, the National Pilots Association.

19.   Both the Danish and Swedish pilots unions held their board of directors meetings today and were not available for comment.

20.   Both the pilots union and Delta management were looking to the White House on Thursday to see what action President Bush might take.