That does not come as a surprise to bankruptcy experts.
The fine's severity caused many bankruptcy experts to see an impact beyond Sears.
To bankruptcy experts and technology executives, the fall of Tracor is a case study in how not to run a business.
Bankruptcy experts said an outsider's best chance would be to oppose United's request and present an alternative proposal at the same time.
Bankruptcy experts say that the new data indicate that a significant shift has occurred.
But Bruce Bennett, a civil law and bankruptcy expert, said that would not be possible in this case.
Bankruptcy experts say that outsized pay at troubled companies is a new and disturbing trend.
One bankruptcy expert later characterized the maneuver as making the tail wag the dog.
But some bankruptcy experts say that companies that file for Chapter 11 often end up with their books in disarray.
Bankruptcy experts say United's case is unusually slow.