1.  And after its contract with its maintenance workers expired in July, United executives have complained about a rise in maintenance delays.

2.  Beyond having to win the loan guarantee for the pilot concessions to take effect, United executives are counting on union ratification of the agreement.

3.  A decision is expected sometime after Tuesday, when the finalists are scheduled to meet with top United executives.

4.  But United executives also wanted to work with one shop to move faster, which is particularly important as the airline industry turns increasingly combative.

5.  He said United senior executives -- including himself --will be spending a night in a warehouse sleeping on the new seats to test them for comfort.

6.  The United executive said that United management will indeed now concentrate on improving reliability and restoring profitability.

7.  United executives and Wall Street analysts say that he has improved markedly since last fall.

8.  United executives said that that was out of the question.

9.  United executives said they would voice their proposal Tuesday in letters to regulators in Britain, the United States and the European Union.