Delta, Northwest satisfied with US pension proposal Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:07pm ET =20 Email This Article | Print This Article | Reprints=20 [-] Text [+] WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Bankrupt carriers Northwest Ai= rlines (NWACQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) and Delta Air Lines (DALRQ.PK: = Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday a proposal in Congress to let them= make pension contributions over 17 years would help them save their endang= ered pension plans. Both companies have threatened to terminate pensions to save money and rest= ructure if Congress did not act quickly to give them substantially more tim= e to narrow the gap between pension assets and promised benefits. Delta and Northwest sought 20 extra years to make payments to plans coverin= g roughly 150,000 workers and retirees, but said in separate statements tha= t the final proposal was satisfactory. The House of Representatives was set to vote on the measure later on Friday= and the Senate next week. The outcome was not assured due to acrimonious n= egotiations on the bill over the past several days.=20 =C2=A9 Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved. =20 Roger & Amanda La France