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All but ensuring the largest bankruptcy filing in the history of the airline industry, the Air Transportation Stabilization Board yesterday said that the business plan submitted by United Airlines in its application for federal loan guarantees was flawed (see WIT for Oct. 22, 2002), and did not merit risking $1.8 billion in taxpayer money. Following the announcement of the decision, the International Association of Machinists called off a ratification vote on a revised proposal for concessions by United mechanics (see WIT for Dec 2, 2002). The proposed concessions from the mechanics, and ratified concessions packages from flight attendants, pilots, baggage handlers and reservation agents at United, were contingent upon ATSB approval of United?s loan guarantee request, and will likely be renegotiated in a bankruptcy filing that industry and financial analysts predict could come as early as tomorrow.