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 $1.91 billion.

MORE COVERAGE

Comair pilots strike at a glance • Comair pilots end strike • Hotels, businesses, travelers welcome end of strike • Number of sources applied pressure

        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 pilot 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 - Comair 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 reject it but agree to put it to a ratification for the entire membership.

        May 12 - In a ratification vote that begins May 9, Comair pilots defeat the proposal 1,042 to 99.

        May 13 - Comair's layoffs of 2,000 non-pilot employees, including 1,500 local workers, go into effect.

        May 16 - Comair announces it was laying off another 400 non-pilots, including 150 local workers, effective May 29. It also eliminated another 200 pilot positions and cut 20 planes from its fleet.

        The airline also began cancelling flights 60 days in advance.

        May 19 - Air Canada announces its regional subsidiary was opening a route between Toronto and Cincinnati, a route served by Comair before the strike.

        May 21 - Mesa and Atlantic Coast Airlines announce they are beginning service in Cincinnati on former Comair routes.

        May 30 - The chambers of commerce for both Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky initiate a letter-writing campaign to local, state and federal elected officials, asking local business owners to ask for help in settling the strike.

        June 4 - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta announces a meeting between top Comair and Delta Connection officials and union leaders at his office in Washington.

        June 8 - Mr. Mineta meets with both sides. Both sides emerge pledging to resume talks under the supervision of the National Mediation Board.

        June 12 - Talks resume in Washington, with both sides saying they want to complete a deal within 72 hours.

        June 14 — Company and pilots announce a tentative agreement, with union leadership endorsing the deal.

        June 15 - Union announces vote will take place between June 19-22.

        June 19 - Union leaders present contract to members in Cincinnati; voting begins.

        June 20 - Union leaders present contract to pilots in Orlando.

        June 22 - Pilots conclude voting; contract is approved.