Getting the puzzle to fit

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2008 | by Dan Reed and Marilyn Adams

To hear old buddies Richard Anderson and Doug Steenland talk, the proposed merger of Delta and Northwest airlines not only will sail through the usually tough antitrust review process, it'll usher in a new era of airline prosperity and easy consumer access to the world.

Anderson, Delta's CEO, and Steenland, Northwest's, touted their vision in glowing terms Tuesday as a public relations campaign to promote the merger began in earnest.

In reality, the merger announced Monday night already is facing challenges, ranging from lawmakers and consumers worried about reduced competition, abandoned hubs and higher prices for both domestic and international flights, to distrustful employees and some industry veterans who have seen past proposals crater before...