An American Airlines Boeing 757 jet takes off from Miami International Airport in Miami on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010. Federal officials have hit the airline with a record penalty of $24.2 million over maintenance lapses that caused thousands of canceled flights in 2008. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Photo by: Wilfredo Lee

An American Airlines Boeing 757 jet takes off from Miami International Airport in Miami on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010. Federal officials have hit the airline with a record penalty of $24.2 million over maintenance lapses that caused thousands of canceled flights in 2008. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)