Fined For 'Reporting Innacurat Data' Following A Long Delay

United Airlines has reportedly been fined $12,000 in association with a long, weather-related ground delay in May, but the fine is not for having a plane on the ground beyond the DOT-imposed three-hour limit.

Instead, United has been slapped for telling the DOT about the delay after it had offered the passengers on some flights the oppportunity to deplane before the three-hour limit was reached, according to a story in USA Today. The DOT reportedly got its nose out of joint for investigating a situation that turned out to not be a violation.

TheStreet.com reported that United will pay $6,000 up front, but the second half of the fine will be waived as long as they don't make any more 'unnecessary' reports.

The Chicago Tribune cites a consent order from the DOT stating "United's misreporting of this data wasted valuable Department resources." United said only that it was trying to comply with the letter of the law.

Of course, it begs the question as to how much time and money was 'wasted' generating the report and consent order, along with negotiations on the plea agreement worked out with United. ed.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.united.com