Given the current unsettled state of security, the regional carriers face new competition from travelers' cars, and in some cases from rail service.

That breathing room ends in 1997, when the carrier faces a $1.1 billion payment.

Despite yesterday's favorable ruling, the wireless carriers are facing turmoil of their own.

But the carriers face a new fuel tax in October 1995 that is expected to cost the industry at least $525 million a year.

They call this a reasonable estimate of the higher costs and lower revenues carriers face as a result of the attack.

The major carriers have faced a growing chorus of critics and government challenges in the last six years.

The private carriers face more obstacles than rain, hail, sleet and snow.

It helps with the challenges that rural carriers face in trying to provide service to relatively few consumers in spread out areas.

Mr. Douglas, the security consultant, agreed that the carriers faced a tough balancing act.

The two carriers may face difficulties obtaining approval for an alliance from European regulators, however.