Chris Frankel, executive vice-president and partner of GRA Inc., an airline consulting firm in Jenkintown, Pa., said both sides have strong incentives to hold out. And the unions are aware that looming behind this dispute is the intent to form an alliance between Northwest and Continental Airlines, where costs are lower. The Northwest pilots are concerned about getting safeguards that Continental won't grow at the expense of Northwest. But Peter Capelli, professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School who specializes in airlines, said the strike gives Northwest greater incentive to settle. Northwest is taking it on the chin in terms of revenue loss.
History argues for a long siege.
Since the airline industry was deregulated in the late 1970s, there have been four pilot walkouts, including one at Continental Airlines in 1983 that lasted two years. Michigan Gov. John Engler said the weekend break in talks shows a need for intervention by Clinton. The contract ought to be settled. I'd like to see them go back to work. Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer is concerned about a lengthy strike.