Perkins, founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, believes that the proposed merger between the two airline giants‹or any other merger between any of the six giant lines‹would be "highly inimical to the general public interest and the interests of the travel consumer."

In his testimony, Perkins focused on two key issues that will effect the American consumer‹pricing and the effect of a labor dispute. In reference to pricing, Perkins said he believes a decrease in the number of airlines will increase price hikes and lessen the chances of those hikes being vetoed.

Said Perkins: "The fewer the number of giant lines, the less chance that any given price hike will be vetoed. And, in a worst-case scenario, a concentration down to only three super-giants would make it far easier for any one of them to make each price hike stick."

As for labor, Perkins testified that a dispute which results in the shutdown of a merged United-US Airways system would disturb more than 20 percent of the domestic market. "The effects of a super-giant strike would be devastating to the economy, and certainly to the travel plans of millions of consumers," he said.

For a full copy of Mr. Perkins' testimony, please call ASTA's Communications Department at 703/739-8710.