United Airlines Forces Man off of oversold flight

[MickeyMinnieMom]

This person was being disruptive to their business, and was told to leave the plane and didn't..... so 2 of the 3 criteria you just said for a different ballgame were met by this incident??????

That is only AFTER United mishandled this at multiple turns. They caused this situation.

I'm generally the defender of businesses on here. Not this time. This was mishandled to the nth degree.

Pretty sure United would like to go back in time and handle differently!!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I want to also add that the woman screaming "Oh My God" over and over and over wasn't helping the situation. Not sure what she was trying to do there.

Well I can't speak for her of course but my reaction would have probably been the same. I would have been saying in my head and it might have slipped out a few times as well. Actually what might have been running through my mind is not DIS approved words. I assure you I would not have been looking to make it worse or trying to do anything but rather an honest reaction to what I was seeing..as in disbelief, shock, surprise, never thought I'd see this reaction.

 

[DisBabe94]

I see a grown man acting like a child when the company that owns the plane tells him to get off, this shows the sickness that is rampant these days. Everyone is owed something and you cannot tell me what to do, if he simply would have listened and gotten off the plane im sure he would have been given maximum restitution that is allowed by law maybe more.
This is no different than someone walking into a store being told to leave then having to be escorted out, and if you are going to throw a hissy fit like a child and not act like a grown man well that's your problem.
Its a private business people, they can refuse you for no reason if they wanted to or state something that is in their policy, once you buy the ticket you agree to THEIR terms and you have no right to believe that you cannot be inconvenienced because you bought a ticket, always read the fine print.


If he would have acted like an adult he wouldn't have been dragged off like a whiny child, he would have walked by himself like a grown man. When you do not obey a lawful order, yes yes they do have the right to puts hands on someone.

Watch this video and come back on here and tell me again that you think this man deserved what he got, just so you can understand exactly what you are saying.

 

[bcla]

And this is where US airlines need to think about whether their system is working.

Here is NZ and Australia you have 3-4 options when booking a flight. A non refundable basic ticket for say $69 (no changes) seat +bag at $79 (still no changes), Flexi time $99 (changes can be made on day of travel only non refundable) or full Flexi $119 (refundable)

They overbook too.

 

[DisBabe94]

Is there a way I can link the video here without it automatically showing the thumbnail? Or is it against the rules for disturbing content showing police violence?

 

[Westcoastwild]

Way higher than $800!!!

First of all, the supposed max is $1,350, and they opted to DRAG A PASSENGER OUT RATHER THAN EVEN OFFER $1,350. Already ludicrous.

To me, having to stay overnight and only leave the following day/afternoon would be worth way more than $1,350.

I can't even remember the last time I flew where they didn't say the flight was "full so check your carry-on bag" or "overbooked so we need volunteers". They are routinely doing this these days to maximize profits.

This is now Greyhound in the sky.

Customer service is at a new low -- and now United is opting to drag passengers out before even hitting the $1,350 max?? Moronic business decision.

Now, if a passenger is violent, dangerous, disruptive and must be removed, different ballgame.

United created this situation. Now they are stuck dealing with it.

Wow, you've high standards. I'm seriously doubting that his ticket was worth more than 200 one way. 800+hotel comp already practically reeks of desperation. That's probably about how much they'd be comping an involuntary bump. It says UP TO 1350. That's the max. I think the actual rule is something like double the original fare but maximum 1350. Wasn't that mentioned somewhere on the thread?
So under that rule, the voluntary bumps were already making out like bandits. When was the last time you flew a one way domestic flight for more than $400 dollars?? I mostly fly cross country, and even if it's small regional airport, it's hardly ever more than 600 round trip.

I tend to think that if I wouldn't budge for 800, I wouldn't budge for 1300. At some point they've got to make the call to bump folks.

I agree with the other stuff though. They don't enforce carryon stuff at all. Then they find new things for you to pay for. Last flight, they had discontinued the complimentary movie in favor of pay per view. And I'm tall for a woman but short for a man- leg room and seat width is getting ridiculous. I've now started to pick my airline based on which one makes it so that my knees aren't jammed up against the seat in front of me. It's public transit, but it's not cheap enough for all the cost cutting they are doing. I didn't mind discount airlines in Europe, because the prices were actually discount level.

Edited to add that I don't agree with the greyhound thing though. When I see that, I've always got to wonder if the poster has actually used greyhound lately. Worse customer service, creepy fellow passengers, insufficient security, etc. Not to mention that 2 hours driving time takes them about 13 hours on the routes I've used. Will fly any day over that!

 

[baildrk]

Watch this video and come back on here and tell me again that you think this man deserved what he got, just so you can understand exactly what you are saying.

I do, he didnt listen multiple times, his fault if he would have heeded the warnings and listen to the multiple directions he was given he never would have been put in that spot, his actions his fault

your not going to hold him accountable for refused orders, its all about accountability on his part too, more or less his fault this happened. he could have acted like a reasonable adult but he didnt, no tears shed here

 

[DisBabe94]

I do, he didnt listen multiple times, his fault if he would have heeded the warnings and listen to the multiple directions he was given he never would have been put in that spot, his actions his fault

Bleeding profusely from the mouth, the man has clearly sustained head injuries from being bashed into the armrest and was dragged through the airplane aisle appearing to be passing out. He is 69 years old.

 

[baildrk]

so his age determines that he doesn't have to listen to orders, what is going on here, if he would have listened like an adult it wouldn't have happened to him end of story, follow directions that you are told and nothing bad will happen. zero sympathy

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Wow, you've high standards. I'm seriously doubting that his ticket was worth more than 200 one way. 800+hotel comp already practically reeks of desperation. That's probably about how much they'd be comping an involuntary bump. It says UP TO 1350. That's the max. I think the actual rule is something like double the original fare but maximum 1350. Wasn't that mentioned somewhere on the thread?
So under that rule, the voluntary bumps were already making out like bandits. When was the last time you flew a one way domestic flight for more than $400 dollars?? I mostly fly cross country, and even if it's small regional airport, it's hardly ever more than 600 round trip.

I tend to think that if I wouldn't budge for 800, I wouldn't budge for 1300. At some point they've got to make the call to bump folks.

I agree with the other stuff though. They don't enforce carryon stuff at all. Then they find new things for you to pay for. Last flight, they had discontinued the complimentary movie in favor of pay per view. And I'm tall for a woman but short for a man- leg room and seat width is getting ridiculous. I've now started to pick my airline based on which one makes it so that my knees aren't jammed up against the seat in front of me. It's public transit, but it's not cheap enough for all the cost cutting they are doing. I didn't mind discount airlines in Europe, because the prices were actually discount level.

Edited to add that I don't agree with the greyhound thing though. When I see that, I've always got to wonder if the poster has actually used greyhound lately. Worse customer service, creepy fellow passengers, insufficient security, etc. Not to mention that 2 hours driving time takes them about 13 hours on the routes I've used. Will fly any day over that!

I should specify: air travel is now Greyhound in the sky circa 2001.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

I'm sure they are offering him a settlement to keep quiet about this. I hope he doesn't take it and sues.
"

United will likely offer him a settlement, and he'd be smart to take it. If he decides to sue, I doubt he'll win. And even if he does win some huge jury award, United would appeal and the award is likely to be reduced to the level United originally offered.

If he decides to sue the Chicago Airport police, he might have a case. But again, the city is almost certain to settle.

I suspect SOMEONE will be sued for the rough treatment -- the head banging onto that armrest, etc.

Regardless, United will lose far more in lost sales and bad PR than through any lawsuit.

United will lose very little if any sales. Virtually all of the "I'LL NEVER FLY UNITED!!!!!" crowd will click the "BUY" button the next time United's fare is $10 lower than a competitor.

didn't read the whole thread, so sorry if it's been talked about.

someone said early in the thread "airlines overbook because people don't show up and it costs the airline money". How?? I pay for my tickets online when I book them. If I don't show up, the airline still gets all my money. I'm obviously missing something here... what?

It's mainly due to the high priced fully refundable fares. True, if you don't show up for a $150 fare United still has your money and can possibly double-dip by accommodating another $150 passenger. But if a $1000 refundable fare fails to show, or changes plans, the airline owes them the money back.

Something tells me they'll survive.

Yep, even Spirit Airlines, which by almost all accounts has the worst customer service, continues to be highly profitable. United will be just fine once this incident is forgotten by next week.

 

[bcla]

Wow, you've high standards. I'm seriously doubting that his ticket was worth more than 200 one way. 800+hotel comp already practically reeks of desperation. That's probably about how much they'd be comping an involuntary bump. It says UP TO 1350. That's the max. I think the actual rule is something like double the original fare but maximum 1350. Wasn't that mentioned somewhere on the thread?
So under that rule, the voluntary bumps were already making out like bandits. When was the last time you flew a one way domestic flight for more than $400 dollars?? I mostly fly cross country, and even if it's small regional airport, it's hardly ever more than 600 round trip.

I tend to think that if I wouldn't budge for 800, I wouldn't budge for 1300. At some point they've got to make the call to bump folks.

I agree with the other stuff though. They don't enforce carryon stuff at all. Then they find new things for you to pay for. Last flight, they had discontinued the complimentary movie in favor of pay per view. And I'm tall for a woman but short for a man- leg room and seat width is getting ridiculous. I've now started to pick my airline based on which one makes it so that my knees aren't jammed up against the seat in front of me. It's public transit, but it's not cheap enough for all the cost cutting they are doing. I didn't mind discount airlines in Europe, because the prices were actually discount level.

I agree on the enforcement of carryon. None of our luggage was under 22" with wheels, which is what the legacy carriers specify now. We were also on a regional jet with smaller overheads. Outbound we had no issue because we barely made it and they told us it was a gate check in or nothing. Return there was space and our "oversized" luggage fit just fine. Nobody blinked, since they don't like dealing with angry passengers over a technical violation.

As for the passenger, when the police show up it means it's time to go. You're not under arrest, but resisting a lawful order is getting into the possibility of being charged with a crime.

 

[amberpi]

OMG - Dictionary shade is the best shade:

https://twitter.com/MerriamWebster/status/851480446064103447

My inner B can't look away.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I should specify: air travel is now Greyhound in the sky circa 2001.

Lol!! Fair enough, I'll give you that one!

 

[bcla]

United will lose very little if any sales. Virtually all of the "I'LL NEVER FLY UNITED!!!!!" crowd will click the "BUY" button the next time United's fare is $10 lower than a competitor.

Even with this incident in the news, their stock price went up.

 

[KayKayJS]

I do, he didnt listen multiple times, his fault if he would have heeded the warnings and listen to the multiple directions he was given he never would have been put in that spot, his actions his fault

How sad that you feel that way.

 

[DisBabe94]

so his age determines that he doesn't have to listen to orders, what is going on here, if he would have listened like an adult it wouldn't have happened to him end of story, follow directions that you are told and nothing bad will happen. zero sympathy

I was just attempting to humanize him to you as I cannot fathom your complete lack of empathy.

 

[baildrk]

Sad is the fact that people feel sorry for someone who didn't listen to what he was told to do, and adult refused to do what he was told to do by a private business well within their right, Im so sad. Guess i was raised differently, with respecting other people and what not......

 

[Westcoastwild]

I agree on the enforcement of carryon. None of our luggage was under 22" with wheels, which is what the legacy carriers specify now. We were also on a regional jet with smaller overheads. Outbound we had no issue because we barely made it and they told us it was a gate check in or nothing. Return there was space and our "oversized" luggage fit just fine. Nobody blinked, since they don't like dealing with angry passengers over a technical violation.

As for the passenger, when the police show up it means it's time to go. You're not under arrest, but resisting a lawful order is getting into the possibility of being charged with a crime.

Yup. European carriers actually enforce baggage rules. I saw no oversized bags over there at all. Here, I see violations on every flight. Last flight I took they tried to tell me that I'd have to check my laptop bag because the bins were almost full. I don't think so. If there are so many huge wheeled suitcases that I can't find space for my one carry on- a messenger bag- then someone is not doing their job.

 

[baildrk]

no empathy for someone who made a conscious decision to not listen to authorities