That plane is packed with hostages, most of whom are Americans.

With hostages gone, he would have no bargaining lever- age.

She also states that the guerrilla left with several hostages and was never seen again.

I was detained for eight days in a room with other hostages.

In my experience with former hostages, many people find it difficult to return to where they were seized.

"There's a possibility he was held in the same building with other hostages," an American official said.

"So the question becomes how long the countries with hostages can sweat it out," he said.

President Bush will make his toughest calls on terrorism and dealing with hostages in the coming weeks.

But pilots often feel a personal responsibility to stay with the plane and hostages.

The terrorists used him to communicate with the police and other hostages.