By Doug Cunningham

As the clock ticks on a bankruptcy judge's deadline today the Air Line Pilots Association, Association of Professional Flight Attendants and Northwest Airlines have just hours to go to reach an agreement that could avert a strike.
The pilots union Tuesday voted overwhelmingly - more than 90 percent - to authorize a strike against Northwest should the pilots contracts be thrown out by bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper in New York. Key Flight Attendants union and International Association of Machinists votes will happen in a few days.

Northwest has filed a motion in bankruptcy court to void the contracts if no agreement can be reached. After twice extending the deadline, the judge has set a deadline of close of business today - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - for agreements to be reached. If there are no agreements the judge could rule on Northwest's motion.
If the contracts are thrown out the unions will more than likely strike. And a strike could kill Northwest Airlines.