TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Wow. United Airlines reaches a new low in passenger mistreatment.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

A passenger who refused to give up his seat on an overbooked United Airlines flight this weekend was forcibly removed and dragged off the plane, according to a video taken by another passenger.

The video — posted on Facebook Sunday by Audra D. Bridges — shows security pulling a man from his seat and dragging him by his arms through the aisle. The man screamed as the security officials removed him from the aircraft.

The plane was taking off from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and heading toward Louisville.

Related Article: ‘Shame on You’: Outrage After Man Forcibly Removed From United Flight

A United spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement. “Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked,” the spokesperson said. “After our team looked for volunteers, one customer refused to leave the aircraft voluntarily and law enforcement was asked to come to the gate.

“We apologize for the overbook situation. Further details on the removed customer should be directed to authorities.”

Please share this video. We are on this flight. United airlines overbooked the flight. They randomly selected people to...Posted by Audra D. Bridges on Sunday, April 9, 2017
Bridges, the woman who posted the video, said the man is a doctor who needed to be at the hospital Monday morning.

She told the Courier-Journal that United announced the flight was overbooked before take-off and was offering $400 and a free hotel stay for a volunteer willing to take a 3 p.m. Monday flight to Louisville. No one volunteered, even after the airlines upped the offer to $800.

After passengers boarded the plane, United officials said four people needed to be removed from the aircraft to make room for United employees who needed to return to Louisville for a flight, Bridges told the Courier-Journal. She said the manager eventually came on board and had a computer randomly select which passengers would need to be taken off. That’s when the doctor was confronted, and he refused to leave his seat.

“Everyone was shocked and appalled,” Bridges told the Courier-Journal. “There were several children on the flight as well that were very upset.”

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

And there was no 3pm flight. The guy initially agreed but when he found out he wouldn't get home until the next day, he declined. I've been listening to the news on this. United may as well hang up its wings.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

They had so many other options. They could have offered more to induce volunteers, they could have put the employees on a different airlines' flight, they could have driven their employees - it was only a 5 hour drive.

I mean, to kick paying passengers off a plane after they have already boarded to accommodate employees is horrible.

Divine Geek · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
They had so many other options. They could have offered more to induce volunteers, they could have put the employees on a different airlines' flight, they could have driven their employees - it was only a 5 hour drive.

I mean, to kick paying passengers off a plane after they have already boarded to accommodate employees is horrible.

I totally read the article wrong and was thinking "what is LL smoking this morning. It is NOT a 5 hour drive to Louisiana!"

Ohfour · Hooker

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Videos of several law enforcement officers dragging a man off a United Airlines flight departing Chicago's O'Hare airport for Louisville shocked the internet on Monday.

The incident was a rare result of a common practice known as overbooking, in which airlines sell too many tickets, assuming people will either miss or not show up for a flight - or enough customers will volunteer to be compensated handsomely to depart later.

Normally, this transaction is completed before passengers enter the plane. But for reasons still unclear, United allowed people to board before realizing it needed to make room for four members of its staff. After making several offers to the seated customers but receiving no volunteers, airline staff then proceeded to the last action they can: "involuntarily denied boarding." According to the Department of Transportation's laws, airlines have the right to do this, as long as they pay the displaced customer for their troubles - up to a maximum of $1,350. Yet this also typically happens before the plane is boarded.

The entire situation - airlines selling more tickets than they have seats, then having a ticket holder dragged off a plane for refusing to vacate a space he seemed to have paid for - struck many people as strange, especially if it was all legal. TIME spoke with to Charles Leocha, chairman and cofounder of the consumer advocacy group Travelers United, and a member of the Department of Transportation's Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections.

TIME: Should overbooking be illegal?

Charles Leocha: If overbooking is made illegal, ticket prices are going to go up. The airlines normally do a pretty good job on overbooking. People know it's coming, and they are willing to allow themselves to be bribed to get off the flight. People who are actually bumped and are really irritated about it are almost nonexistent - it's a tiny percentage. But the people who want lower prices are around 100%.

So we're all the beneficiaries, except in relatively rare scenarios?

Exactly. This whole situation has really nothing to do with overbooking. This situation has to do with total mismanagement by the airlines. For them to have a whole plane loaded and then to realize they had to move four employees, that's just ridiculous. They had to know that fifteen minutes earlier, before they finished boarding the plane. Then they could've dealt with it like they ordinarily would've.

The relevant Department of Transportation law says that people can be "denied boarding." Can a person legally be forcibly removed after boarding the plane?

I've never seen a situation like this before in my life. But because all the rules with airlines are written with so many loopholes and caveats, I think no one in the airline is going to go to jail even though this guy got beaten up and knocked all over the place and dragged down the aisle.

Are passengers legally obligated to obey airline staff once they exit the airport and get on the plane?

Before you get onto the flight, you're in the general world. But airlines have control over their planes just like a captain in the old days has control over his ship. They are the ultimate authority. If you don't obey a crew member, then you can be removed or punished. However, if they violate regulations or violate the contract of carriage, then the airline is liable. And the airline has to deal with federal laws. That's why DOT is so important: They're the judge and the jury. And they have not been holding airlines' feet to the fire. I called them and asked if what happened was legal. They said they have to look at it more.

Many people are under the impression that when they buy an airline ticket, they are purchasing a seat on the plane. What are people actually paying for?

They're paying for transportation from Point A to Point B. And the way that the airline contracts of carriage are written, they're not even paying for transportation to get them there at the right time. Or the same day. They're just getting the best efforts of the airlines. The airlines don't want a lot of people sitting at the airport - that doesn't serve good business purpose. But in the contract, you're really just buying transportation from Point A to Point B.

What should United have done instead?

The only reason this happened is because of the airline's incompetence. First in not being able to manage its own staff. And next, whomever made the decision to send the police on board to forcibly take people off had a lot of different options. They could've put their own people on a different flight. They could have sent a couple of crew members across town to the other Chicago airport. They could have put the crew on a Southwest flight. And if they had offered passengers $1,350 in cash, I bet they would have had ten people jump up and take it. And there would've been people who would've rented a car and drove down to Louisville. There were a lot of things the airline could've done, but they didn't.

This article was originally published on TIME.com

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Someone posted on a site a suggestion for a slogan for Southwest "We beat the competition, not you".

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

And now everyone is aware of the1,350 cash and won't give up seats until they are given the cash.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Someone posted on a site a suggestion for a slogan for Southwest "We beat the competition, not you".

LOL!

NAOW · Vette's SS

There are so many bad airline/flight stories but this is only time I am made to say that I will try and avoid flying United at all costs.

Even without him being dragged off and physically harmed, it is despicable that they will boot paying customers for employees. Especially when they have so many other options.

Forever Sunshine · Guru

I totally agree. I don't often fly anywhere but United will never be my choice now if and when I fly. I have used Southwest every time I have flown and not been disappointed. What United did here is beyond reprehensible. I hope the gentleman who was injured sues the wings off United.

Tangerine · Guru

We love Southwest! Not only are they really great to their customers, but they are an awesome company that treats its employees really well too. That's why the employees are so nice to the customers. Happy people are nicer than unhappy people.

The last time we flew United (over 10 years ago) we said never again. They had the smelliest and dirtiest plane I have ever been on. I'm talking crusty bits on the seats and blackened armrests, like they hadn't even been wiped off in years. Super gross.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Update. Apparently he wasn't a practicing Doctor. He lost his medical license due to fraudulent prescriptions, etc. And, so there were no patients waiting for him, unless he was practicing illegally. He also tried to run back on to the plane after they removed him. Not saying what the airline did was right, just giving you more context.

Cheerios4606 · Guru

ah HA! I KNEW it. The guy was lying!

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Update. Apparently he wasn't a practicing Doctor. He lost his medical license due to fraudulent prescriptions, etc. And, so there were no patients waiting for him, unless he was practicing illegally. He also tried to run back on to the plane after they removed him. Not saying what the airline did was right, just giving you more context.

He went back to get his carry on. And I don't care he was lying. This should not have happened.

Honeys_Mom · Mod & Permanent Board Sweetheart

I agree, it should not have happened.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Update. Apparently he wasn't a practicing Doctor. He lost his medical license due to fraudulent prescriptions, etc. And, so there were no patients waiting for him, unless he was practicing illegally. He also tried to run back on to the plane after they removed him. Not saying what the airline did was right, just giving you more context.

In 2005, the doctor was charged for exchanging drug prescription for sex, resulting in 98 felony counts of “illegally prescribing and trafficking painkillers,” according to TMZ.

He also received five years probation for six counts of illegally obtaining drugs.

Dr. Dao, who obtained a medical degree in his home country of Vietnam before moving to the U.S., was forced to surrender his medical license following the charges.

But the suspension was lifted in 2015, and he is now legally able to practice medicine at an outpatient facility one day a week, according to The Hollywood Life.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

And that one day was probably the next one.

NAOW · Vette's SS

Same here. Him being a doctor (or not) doesn't matter. If you pay for a ticket you want to get where you're going for a reason- other people don't get to decide if your reason is "good enough".

NAOW · Vette's SS

I'm kinda LOLing at the nightmare they've created for themselves...

http://twentytwowords.com/twitter-is-savagely-coming-up-with-new-slogans-for-united-airlines/

"United Airlines. Putting the Hospital in hospitality" #NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

"United Airlines: If we cannot beat our competitors prices, we'll proudly beat our customers."#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

Come for the seating, stay for the beating. #NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos
A bloody good airline.

Lindley · Guru

It is not the fault of their paying customers if they overbooked their flights. People have their own obligations that they have to fulfill. A business meeting, weddings, funerals and having to return to work. Not everyone is traveling for a holiday.

chef · Guru

I would be raising a stink about being made to look like a criminal. I seriously doubt they announced to the passengers that they will forcibly drag you off if you don't volunteer.

Honeys_Mom · Mod & Permanent Board Sweetheart

NAOW wrote:
I'm kinda LOLing at the nightmare they've created for themselves...
http://twentytwowords.com/twitter-is-savagely-coming-up-with-new-slogans-for-united-airlines/

"United Airlines. Putting the Hospital in hospitality" #NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

"United Airlines: If we cannot beat our competitors prices, we'll proudly beat our customers."#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

Come for the seating, stay for the beating. #NewUnitedAirlinesMottos

#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos
A bloody good airline.

Me, too. That CEO seems like an arrogant idiot with no common sense! Love these...

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Airlines are allowed to overbook. You agree to that when you buy your ticket. It stinks. Perhaps they should sell regular seating and guaranteed seating at a premium that can't be bumped? Or maybe they do. I don't fly enough to know.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Airlines are allowed to overbook. You agree to that when you buy your ticket. It stinks. Perhaps they should sell regular seating and guaranteed seating at a premium that can't be bumped? Or maybe they do. I don't fly enough to know.

But they didn't overbook. They decided at the last minute that the other crew needed to be on this plane.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Airlines should have to offer the max cash reimbursement before they are allowed to beat the customer.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yes, but I think they are allowed to do that to transport their crew. Didn't say I like it or agree with it, but airlines have a lot of leeway and they are allowed to voluntarily or involuntarily bump someone.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

NAOW wrote:
Same here. Him being a doctor (or not) doesn't matter. If you pay for a ticket you want to get where you're going for a reason- other people don't get to decide if your reason is "good enough".

I agree. Doesn't matter if he was the biggest scum of the earth - they did not have the right to treat him that way.

And what they are ALLOWED to do and what they SHOULD do can be completely different things. But I bet they don't want this in front of a jury.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I bet he will win a pile of money. And their stock took a huge dip so they are losing money.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

But yeah, his personal issues have nothing to do with this. They do it to him, could be any of us.

karl271 · Guru

Cannot understand why the airline waited until the passengers were seated. Any necessary off-loading should have been done at at the gate, whether those passengers agreed or not.

Why did these 4 crew members who needed to be on board suddenly appear?? The airline had no knowledge of them until the flight was ready to depart?

Seems like United would have been ahead to charter a small aircraft to take their crew members to Louisville. Cheaper in the long run that the bad publicity not to mention what this fellow will probably get in a law suit (and I wonder if other passengers on the flight are thinking about compensation for having to endure this scene?)

This whole thing is a really black eye on the airline world.

People say not to fly United, but if that is the only airline available at your airport, what else can you do?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

The man was 69 years old. So, not only did they beat up a passenger - they beat up a senior citizen.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

karl271 wrote:
Cannot understand why the airline waited until the passengers were seated. Any necessary off-loading should have been done at at the gate, whether those passengers agreed or not.

Why did these 4 crew members who needed to be on board suddenly appear?? The airline had no knowledge of them until the flight was ready to depart?

Seems like United would have been ahead to charter a small aircraft to take their crew members to Louisville. Cheaper in the long run that the bad publicity not to mention what this fellow will probably get in a law suit (and I wonder if other passengers on the flight are thinking about compensation for having to endure this scene?)

This whole thing is a really black eye on the airline world.

People say not to fly United, but if that is the only airline available at your airport, what else can you do?

We drive a lot more now. The customer service of airlines in recent years has gone in the toilet - delays, overbooking, extra fees, etc.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

The airlines didn't beat him, the airport security did. But the airlines never should have let it get that far.

I don't believe the "computerized random selection" line either. What if the computer had randomly selected a child? Nope. They picked someone they thought would be easy and accommodating. Asians are stereotyped for being very polite and well mannered. They thought they picked an easy target and when he wasn't, they got pissed off and called security. Idiots.

WYSIWYG · Guru

This was wrong every way you look at it. And I agree, whether he was a practicing doctor or not is irrelevant. He chose "no" when asked to give up his seat for monetary gain. Interaction with him should have ended there.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Does anyone remember a society where things were much more civil? I don't remember Security or police having to tackle people all the time? This seems that if was handled with a bit more patience, it would have probably been resolved.
However, there are going to be times that nobody wants to give up their seat. So, maybe we have to accept higher airline prices for them to stop this practice? Or there has to be some way to be random and fair about who is removed? Saying they targeted him because he is Asian? Who knows. On the other hand, they may just then figure they should only remove white males to not appear racist, which then isn't fair either.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Mellow Momma wrote:
The airlines didn't beat him, the airport security did. But the airlines never should have let it get that far.

I don't believe the "computerized random selection" line either. What if the computer had randomly selected a child? Nope. They picked someone they thought would be easy and accommodating. Asians are stereotyped for being very polite and well mannered. They thought they picked an easy target and when he wasn't, they got pissed off and called security. Idiots.

The airline called the security and they allowed it to happen. They are fully responsible.

Oh - and it wasn't random- they used a computer algorithm to determine who were the last people to buy the cheap tickets.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 12th of April 2017 06:46:00 AM

Forever Sunshine · Guru

Removing anyone from their paid for seat on a plane isn't fair no matter how you look at it. How about the fix is that airlines stop removing people at any cost and do their jobs properly by better planning or having a Plan B to get their employees back to wherever it is they're supposed to be. A customer should NEVER be inconvenienced due to poor planning on the airlines part to transport their own employees.

backpacker365 · Newbie

I had this happen years ago. We were all seated and they asked for volunteers to get off. The offer was so attractive that I would have taken it if I could. As it was - they had no trouble finding volunteers.

Ohfour · Hooker

For a couple hundred dollars, nah, but for $800 or $1000, I would absolutely do it. We've done it before.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

They could have offered up to $1350 for people to get off the plane. People would have gotten off the plane for that.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lawyerlady wrote:
They could have offered up to $1350 for people to get off the plane. People would have gotten off the plane for that.

Yep! And for a couple, that would be $2700. That's nothing to sneeze at. Plus a hotel...psh, I'd have raced back to the gate.

They really screwed this up...

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Or they could have run like a respectable business and not over booked, required the employees using the flight to reserve a seat, and not pull paying customers off.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

That's fine. Then tickets will cost more.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Airlines overbook because people cancel and/or don't show up, or in some instances, they are trying to accommodate passengers from cancelled flights. Normally, the system works. However, they need to do it properly, and before they resort to kicking passengers off a plane, they need to exhaust ALL options to get people off voluntarily. And in the case of employees - they could have hired them a car to drive them there. It would have been cheaper than paying off 4 passengers, and certainly cheaper than all this bad publicity.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Just one more reason I don't fly.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

This is ONE incident. Flying is perfectly safe.

When we were coming home, they over-booked in LAX, but only offered $300 or $400...not enough.

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Just one more reason I don't fly.

So , you dont' things in life because there are rare times things go wrong?

Ohfour · Hooker

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Just one more reason I don't fly.
So , you dont' things in life because there are rare times things go wrong?

I have rarely been on a flight where SOMETHING didn't go wrong. Delays, overbooking, having to sit on a tarmac. I would say 90% of my flights have not gone off as planned...