Maura Campbell, a board spokeswoman, said a fax did not count as a formal application.

Deborah G. Harrington, a board spokeswoman, said that was not accurate.

A board spokeswoman, Julie Beale, said the board would consider the idea.

Betty Scott, a board spokeswoman, said yesterday that the letter had not yet arrived.

Gloria Lesser, a board spokeswoman, said the vote total was not available.

A board spokeswoman declined to say where Dr. Crew's children attend college.

The Fed's approval came after a closed meeting, a board spokeswoman said.

A board spokeswoman confirmed United had sent "new information," but declined to give details.

In October, a board spokeswoman said that no airline would be forced to file for bankruptcy because the board was not yet fully staffed.

Karen Crowe, a board spokeswoman, said the city plans to build 65,000 seats in the next five years to deal with the problem.