Dean Smith

Dean Smith, a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association, said the negotiations with a federal mediator were progressing and that a settlement might be reached before the strike deadline of 11 : 01 p.m. CDT Friday.

``We can absolutely have a negotiated settlement.We're ready to go 24 hours if we have to, ' he said.

A news blackout has been imposed on the talks, and Smith would not elaborate, other than to say outsourcing of jobs was a more important issue than pay heading toward the strike deadline.

Dean Smith - Commercial Pilot