United Airlines Forces Man off of oversold flight

[disney4us2002]

The guy is actually a genius.

They offered $800, he could get six figures.

1 this guy, 0 United

Not if I were on the jury. I would love to sit on one of these ridiculous lawsuit juries. People are way too sue-happy these days. What happened to personal responsibility?

 

[bcla]

Agreed. I get bumping people, but even the DOT regulations constantly refer to it as a "denied boarding compensation" -- not "boarded and then were forcibly removed" --

What's almost more appalling are the number of people who think we should all roll over and do whatever a company tells us to. Consequences work both ways -- airlines can reasonably remove a passenger, but nothing about that was reasonable. If he refused to comply, they should have contacted police and let authorities place him under arrest. I'm not going to let fear cow me into following orders no matter what. I'm glad he made a stink about this.

The did contact police. However, Chicago seems to have an unusual two-tier setup with unarmed airport police, as well as an armed airport bureau of the city police.

In many of these cases even armed police don't arrest anyone. They're there to effect a removal.

 

[RedAngie]

Agreed. I get bumping people, but even the DOT regulations constantly refer to it as a "denied boarding compensation" -- not "boarded and then were forcibly removed" --

What's almost more appalling are the number of people who think we should all roll over and do whatever a company tells us to. Consequences work both ways -- airlines can reasonably remove a passenger, but nothing about that was reasonable. If he refused to comply, they should have contacted police and let authorities place him under arrest. I'm not going to let fear cow me into following orders no matter what. I'm glad he made a stink about this.

United did contact the airport police, (real police, not rent-a-cops) and one of the officers is the person who brutally removed the guy.

 

[amberpi]

What else are we supposed to do when our kids don't listen???

Surely you don't believe that violence against a child is a choice if they don't clean their room, etc.? I think I may just be misunderstanding this.

 

[bumbershoot]

What if security grabs his carry on and leaves with it. I'm guessing the guy chases after them and once he leaves, they can immediately close the door.

Thoughts?

First they would have to know what bag was his.

A lack of planning on the part of United Airlines does not constitute an emergency on the part of their customers.

It absolutely does with air travel.

I saw something of FB this morning on Southwest Airlines. I don't know if it is from them or is someone just made a funny meme, but it said something like "SOUTHWEST AIRLINES....we beat our competitors, not you."

If that guy had been on SW and was bumped do you think it would have gone any differently? He was the one that turned it into the situation.

I heard that jet blue has a policy of not overbooking flights.

Seems like it but they still bump people. http://crankyflier.com/2016/12/26/f...k-jetblue-sure-is-bumping-a-lot-of-travelers/

And now I know why JB is so expensive whenever I check their numbers.

I also doubt driving to Louisville was an option for them due to FAA and/or union restrictions.

No doubt. If they did it they'd likely be over their worked hours and still wouldn't be able to fly. (If they were FAs)

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)...

Generally yes. So now we know the people with the lowest status, latest checkin time, etc on that plane...

 

[bcla]

Agreed. I get bumping people, but even the DOT regulations constantly refer to it as a "denied boarding compensation" -- not "boarded and then were forcibly removed" --

What's almost more appalling are the number of people who think we should all roll over and do whatever a company tells us to. Consequences work both ways -- airlines can reasonably remove a passenger, but nothing about that was reasonable. If he refused to comply, they should have contacted police and let authorities place him under arrest. I'm not going to let fear cow me into following orders no matter what. I'm glad he made a stink about this.

They did call in the police, although Chicago has this odd two-tier system of unarmed airport police working for the airport operator and armed police working for the Chicago PD's airport bureau.

I don't disagree that taking him off was unwarranted. Orders from a flight crew are not voluntary. However, that one officer messed up big time by yanking the passenger.

 

[RedAngie]

Agreed.

And do we have confirmation that he really IS a doctor? And honestly does it matter? We all have lives to get back to. Doctors aren't magical beings. And if he is a mythical unicorn of a doctor, the only one at all that can do some procedure, I think we've just seen that he doesn't handle perceived stress very well. Time for some time off.

I agree it doesn't matter if he is or isn't a doctor. His reason to wanting to fly doesn't trump the passenger in Seat 12B who wanted to be home in time to watch NCIS: Los Angeles.

But nobody should have been removed from the plane is such a manner.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Surely you don't believe that violence against a child is a choice if they don't clean their room, etc.? I think I may just be misunderstanding this.

I forgot to use my sarcasm font...

 

[twinklebug]

I've seen mixed reports about this passenger. I've read he was an elderly man that seemed confused. I've read that he was an angry, beligerent man. I've also read that he was a doctor and needed to get back to see patients. One report I saw claimed that his medical license had been suspended and he couldn't see patients. Whatever the case may be, I do believe he was in the wrong for refusing to exit the plane. Does it suck that anyone had to and that airlines overbook? Of course, but this is common knowledge (I thought for regular travelers at least). The part that perplexes me the most is why anyone would make such a stink to have to be dragged off. Chicago to Louisville is a 4 1/2 hr drive. Rent a freaking car with the money they've offered and save your air coupon for another time. If the man truly is a doctor and had patients to see in the morning, surely he is capable of renting a car and driving home rather than waiting for the next day's flight.

I read he is 69, not old by modern standards, but it also sounds as though he was highly anxious and confused. Perhaps he has dementia setting in which would explain his behavior and, in my opinion, would make the case against United and the handling by the officers stronger. I hope the man can recover mentally from this incident and that this case stays in the spotlight for sometime if only to make the airlines realize they need to respect the customers more and that they are being watched.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Seems like it but they still bump people. http://crankyflier.com/2016/12/26/f...k-jetblue-sure-is-bumping-a-lot-of-travelers/

That reads like growing pains and a temporary problem that JB is looking to address.

Add this to the reasons why JetBlue IS WORTH PAYING A PREMIUM.

 

[bumbershoot]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28159364-post2000.html

Oh my.

Yeah, but ultimately it came down to the flight crew in his case. They had a plane, but no crew.

Which was because of the mess with the thousands of cancelled and delayed flights. They were (probably still are) playing catchup. If you don't get crew from point A to B it cascades. Gotta get crew where they need to be.

 

[dlavender]

Not if I were on the jury. I would love to sit on one of these ridiculous lawsuit juries. People are way too sue-happy these days. What happened to personal responsibility?

I don't think it will go to a jury.

Pretty sure they are going to have to give it to him to bury the story.

Exactly. What happened to personal responsibility, United? You didn't have room for your employees. You created a problem. Solve it without having a PR nightmare. Buy them a ticket on another plane. Offer up a deal that someone will voluntarily accept.

Or, don't take personal responsibility and take a hit on your balance sheet.........

 

[AlohaKeke]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this adds another layer to the story..

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/11/united-airlines-doctor-convicted-drugs-sex/

 

[amberpi]

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've taken actual cash, vouchers are no use to me because I have points to take me and whoever where ever. They can do it and trust me, there's a line when cash is on the line.

 

[pigletto]

When asked to do something by someone official on a plane we don't really have the option to say no. Surely we all know this by now?

Then don't call it asking in your PR response. Because that isn't true. It's being told, and there is a distinct difference. They are choosing the language they use for their spin.. and I take issue with it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this adds another layer to the story..

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/11/united-airlines-doctor-convicted-drugs-sex/

If true, he sounds like a real gem.

And airlines STILL need to improve their policies around overbooking, involuntary removal from a flight, and how much $$ they offer when they are the ones who mess up.

 

[bcla]

United did contact the airport police, (real police, not rent-a-cops) and one of the officers is the person who brutally removed the guy.

They sent in the B-team.

 

[mefordis]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this adds another layer to the story..

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/11/united-airlines-doctor-convicted-drugs-sex/

UAL PR is busy working to slander their assault victim as if the majority of people are going to change their mind and side with UAL.

 

[dlavender]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this adds another layer to the story..

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/11/united-airlines-doctor-convicted-drugs-sex/

Does it add another layer?

Was he actively doing any of these things on the flight?

I think it's Karma that UA happened to try this on the wrong guy.

I wish I could feel badly for them..

 

[pigletto]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but this adds another layer to the story..

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/11/united-airlines-doctor-convicted-drugs-sex/

Yuck. Just yuck. I still completely stand by my opinion that you can't use force to remove a paying customer in such a manner who refuses to accommodate a "Request" but he certainly appears to be a scumbag.