June 1998 - Negotiations begin between Comair and its pilots union, the Air Line Pilots Association

        October 1999 - Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announces intentions to buy Comair in a deal worth $1.8 billion.

        December 1999 - Comair sues the pilots union, saying pilots were conducting an illegal mechanical write-up campaign. A federal judge imposes an injunction on the pilots later in the month, saying they must not cause disruptions by writing up minor mechanical problems.

        January 2000 - Delta completes purchase of Comair.

        August 2000 - Comair pilots authorize union leaders to call a strike.

        November 2000 - Comair takes delivery on its 100th Canadair Regional Jet, and becomes the first regional carrier in the country to operate an all-jet hub.

        December 2000 - Comair seeks contempt charges against the pilots union and 19 individual pilots, saying they were violating the injunction. The judge refuses, but issues a stern warning.

        Feb. 14 - Comair raises its offer to pilots as a bargaining session at the National Mediation Board continues.

        Feb. 25 - Mediation board releases sides to 30-day cooling-off period with the provision that the pilots hold a ratification vote on the company's latest offer.

        March 2 - Comair presents pilots with contract proposal.

        March 5 - Union leaders decide to present the contract neutrally, meaning they will give out information to the pilots but not endorse the proposal.

        March 19 - Pilots reject the offer, 1,090-6.

        March 23 - Final bargaining session before March 26 strike deadline begins at mediation board offices in Washington, D.C.

        March 24 - Comair begins paring flights from its schedule.

        March 26 - After talks break down early the previous morning, pilots walk out at 12:01 a.m. and immediately picket at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

        April 18 - Company and union officials announce they are returning to the bargaining table for the first time since the strike began at the invitation of the mediation board.

        Meanwhile, Comair's parent company, Delta, announces a first-quarter loss, saying it was losing $4 million daily from the shutdown at Comair.

        April 16 - Comair cuts 200 pilots positions and removes 17 planes from its fleet.

        April 19 - Comair begins canceling flights 30 days in advance.

        April 22 - Pilots at parent company Delta and management announce a tentative agreement, seven days before those pilots could have legally gone on strike.

        April 25 - Talks begin at mediation board offices in Washington.

        April 27 - Comair announces plans to lay off 2,000 nonpilot employees, including 1,500 local workers, effective May 13.

        May 3 - Mediation board presents suggested settlement to both sides.

        May 4 - Comair accepts proposal, while union leaders say they will put it to a ratification for the entire membership.

Comair pilots to vote on deal
       

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