Eastern Air Lines was one of the hot candidates to become an early DC-10 costumer. Together with United, it favoured the DC-10 while only TWA preferred the Lockheed L-1011. Delta Air Lines, another airline interested in a widebody trijet, liked both aircraft. However, a "buy it or leave it" policy, based in McDonnell's military background and generous financing offers from Lockheed let Eastern, TWA and Delta order the TriStar. Mc Donnell - Douglas, with its back against the wall, finally accepted the rules and catched the last remaining big order from United Airlines. Before the Eastern and TWA - orders, Douglas had the possibility to force the TriStar out of the market. A good relationship with Eastern and Delta should have made it possible to get their orders leaving Lockheed with TWA only. Probably, this would have caused a cancellation of the TriStar - program and a monopoly for Mc Donnell - Douglas on the market for up to 380 - seaters. James McDonnell's stubborn attitude at the beginning of the DC-10 program was a fatal error as the market proved to be too small for two aricraft of this size.