He participated in several USAF and National Transportation Safety Board accident investigations, and worked with NASA scientists on a paper on error and aviation, his site says.

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He participated in several U.S. Air Force and National Transportation Safety Board accident investigations, and worked with NASA scientists on a paper on error and aviation, according to his resume.

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Moreover, transportation fuel costs are high around the world at a time when there is little margin for error in the economy.

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Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Mosley said the department had received 150 complaints from customers who had bought the "error fares" and was still determining whether United had violated the rules.

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