Northwest Airlines' earliest flights out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport left on time this morning, several hours after the mechanics union went on a national strike against the carrier.

A handful of picketers stood outside the Northwest ticketing counter, handing out leaflets to passengers.

"I always hope it doesn't have to come to this," said Angela Farrar, a passenger on her way to Minneapolis. "I just hope it all works out."

Officials with Northwest Airlines said they expect all flights to run according to schedule today. The airline hired replacement workers in anticipation of the strike.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association went on strike last night at 9:01 p.m. PDT to protest pay cuts and layoffs that would have cut their numbers almost in half. Nationally the union has nearly 4,500 members who work for Northwest Airlines. More than 100 of those members are based in Seattle.

"I'm past the angry part," said Bill Godrey, a mechanic who has worked for Northwest for 15 years. " I'm disappointed."