United Airlines Forces Man off of oversold flight

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I heard that jet blue has a policy of not overbooking flights. I know the flight was not technically overbooked, more of a "we suddenly need to make room for our employees" situation. After this incident, I doubt any other airline will go the route United did.

Hmmm... I fly JetBlue to WDW every time. I've definitely heard the "it's a full flight check your used-to-be-carry-on"... and I'm pretty sure I've heard announcements of them asking for volunteers to take the next flight... can't be 100% certain though...

I will say that I flew United across the country recently because they were the only ones with direct flights from here at convenient times. All 4 flights they asked for volunteers due to overbooking. Not ok.

 

[JaxDad]

He was picked as 1 of 4 unlucky victims. The other 3 passengers walked off without incident.

I've seen reports they were picked "randomly," but I don't know if that was confirmed. I would hope they pick by some established process (last ones to book, lowest fare, etc)...

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Eventually the rest of the passengers are going to turn on him.

Is a mob beatdown better than being taken out by 3 security guards?

 

[anniemae]

While I generally agree with you, I think it depends...

If the four United employees missed their scheduled flight for some legitimate reason (e.g. weather delay), and this flight was the only option for them to get to Louisville to work, then they definitely should have bumped customers on that flight. If not, United may have had to "bump" the entire flight for which they were bound to work! I also doubt driving to Louisville was an option for them due to FAA and/or union restrictions.

True, I also understand the need to get the flight crew to Louisville, but they should not have forced people to leave. They should have kept upping the price until people started to volunteer. People would eventually volunteer. Having people dragged out against their will was wrong IMO. It was so disturbing to me and I keep thinking of the kids on that flight witnessing that.

 

[TropicalDIS]

United's not the only airline that overbooks. Most of them do. Ones that fly out of North America anyways.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

When they offer compensation is it vouchers or cash?

I was bumped from a Southwest flight due to maintenance. I received $1200 in vouchers for our family of 4. We had no plans to fly in the next year (they expired exactly one year) so they were really of no value to me but a flight attendant told me anyone can use them. So I read between the lines and I sold them to a friend going to WDW.

I can see this being an issue with vouchers that expire and people who don't have plans to fly anytime soon. So they don't take the compensation. If they offered cash I'm sure people would be jumping at that much quicker.

I was once downgraded from business class (booked using miles) to coach on a long flight to the South Pacific. Wasn't happy at all. Ended up getting a check for $1,000 and had my own row of seats on coach (4 seats all to myself) + business class meal.

 

[TropicalDIS]

I've seen reports they were picked "randomly," but I don't know if that was confirmed. I would hope they pick by some established process (last ones to book, lowest fare, etc)...

True enough! I'd hope so too

 

[Pacolovestacos]

United's not the only airline that overbooks. Most of them do. Ones that fly out of North America anyways.

Yup. SW does it all the time.

 

[DopeyDame]

United's not the only airline that overbooks. Most of them do. Ones that fly out of North America anyways.

The problem isn't with the overbooking itself. The problem is a policy that involves physically removing someone from the plane.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Is a mob beatdown better than being taken out by 3 security guards?

I'm talking about people telling him to get off etc. No beat downs required.

 

[TropicalDIS]

The problem isn't with the overbooking itself. The problem is a policy that involves physically removing someone from the plane.

I agree with you. However plenty of posts here are unhappy with the concept of overbooking, and blaming United for that.

Overbooking is Airline industry wide.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I'm talking about people telling him to get off etc. No beat downs required.

And you think this particular guy would have left?

 

[JaxDad]

I'm talking about people telling him to get off etc. No beat downs required.

I think the only way that guy was getting off the plane was to land in Louisville or physically pull him out of his seat...

 

[kidshop]

He was picked as 1 of 4 unlucky victims. The other 3 passengers walked off without incident.

Yes, and as was mentioned before airlines used to hold people hostage on the plane for hours. Because they could and because the customers allowed that treatment. We rose up to protest and now they can't do that anymore.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I had a stats professor in business school who used to consult to the airlines. At the time, at least, all of them overbooked according to sophisticated algorithms. Doing this and sending out almost no half-filled planes anymore has a lot to do with them finally becoming profitable.

I think overbooking is likely necessary, but 1) perhaps United needs to tweak its algorithms -- they seem to get this significantly wrong AS A RULE NOW, and 2) I'd love to lobby for the MARKET PRICE being offered until VOLUNTEERS agree to take another flight in the event that they overbook or mismanage their crew movements -- no forcible removal in "bumping" situation.

 

[TropicalDIS]

And you think this particular guy would have left?

Unlikely, but just another tactic. And then you have a cabin full of passengers on your side.

 

[TropicalDIS]

I think the only way that guy was getting off the plane was to land in Louisville or physically pull him out of his seat...

Maybe maybe if you upped the dollar value, but i agree with you.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Yes, and as was mentioned before airlines used to hold people hostage on the plane for hours. Because they could and because the customers allowed that treatment. We rose up to protest and now they can't do that anymore.

Okay? What are you trying to say here? Im saying 4 people were picked at random and 3 walked off without incident. This guy was not the only victim of circumstance.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Okay? What are you trying to say here? Im saying 4 people were picked at random and 3 walked off without incident. This guy was not the only victim of circumstance.

He had to get home to distribute drugs to his "patients" though

 

[GrnMtnMan]

New United Airlines Training Video