41.   Early in the standoff, for example, President Jiang Zemin said that China had proof that an unsafe maneuver by the American pilot caused the mishap.

42.   For American pilots, the arrangement provides job protection if American chooses to expand its Eagle affiliate at the expense of its main airline.

43.   For example, he said he refused to accept as many US Airways pilots as United wanted so American pilots would have more opportunities to fly.

44.   He added that at least one more surveillance mission would be flown by an American pilot by the end of the week.

45.   He asked what would happen if a Chinese spy plane landed on American soil after causing the death of an American pilot.

46.   He told an interviewer that he had saved currency notes signed by American pilots whom he helped save.

47.   He voted against the previous contract because it did not restrict operation of regional jets to American pilots.

48.   In Afghanistan, American pilots have rarely needed to fly within range of enemy antiaircraft fire.

49.   In Bosnia, for example, McCain long opposed calling in American pilots.

50.   Indeed, the Reno Air pilots are locked in a sometimes bitter, though less publicized, dispute with the American pilots.