United Airlines

[BradKW]

[img=400x400]http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr18/Brad_Bleakley/united airlines_zpscmjafsfa.jpg[/img]

 

[IanC]

I don't follow the news much so didn't hear about this until it was posted here. A couple of points A. the doctor might not have spoken English, though his wife was one of the other voluntarily booted passengers so..... B. Since he had already deplaned and then reboarded, there's a chance he thought he could bargain up the original 800 and thought "F***" I can get 200 more" Either way, he'll get a million out of it the end. I've sometimes wondered if it wouldn't be worth taking a tasing, beating or dragging for the pay-off (if it didn't involve the risk of a shooting too, of course)

 

[Blanch]

My experience is that the airlines offer a voucher with a cash amount to be used on that airline within 12 months. I don't know the situation directly, but the last flight I was on the cash amount that was offered was not cash at all. So he may have de-boarded and then been told it was a voucher for future flights. If you don't plan on taking another air trip in the next year the voucher is useless. So my question is: were they actually offering cash or just a piece of paper that can only be used at United?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[John61CT]

vouchers only

 

[John61CT]

DOT regs are involuntary supposed to be check or cash on the spot IF you know your rights and insist.

But penalty is fines only, lower than profits from the illegal policies.

 

[hepcat]

Normally I would be on the side of the victim in an over booking scenario, but a Doctor? This person of all people should be more understanding.
 Let's think about this, say you had a ten o'clock appointment to see the Doctor. You are lucky if the Doctor see's you before noon. You then find out they have booked five other people for the same time as your appointment? How does that work?

Just another "entitled" person who thinks they're "somebody."  When a cop tells you to get off the plane, you get off the d*mn plane.  You work out the details later.  It's never convenient for anyone to get bumped off a flight, but no one is entitled to refuse to leave when told to; even with a ticket.  The good doctor had every right to be upset, complain, scream, throw a tantrum and jump up and down if that's what makes him happy...  but he didn't have a right to refuse to get off the plane.

Now, going hands-on with the guy may not have been a good tactic for the cop to employ right at that moment; an investigation will come up with the answer to that, but in general...  people have GOT to get over themselves.

 

[John61CT]

How many times a day do people get bumped? In this case the passenger refused to comply and 'chose' to be physically removed.

Hundreds of thousands volunteer annually in exchange for compensation.

United has "had to" involuntary bump "only" 3-400 per year.

IMO that should be zero by law, with hundreds of people on board easy enough to raise the offer until you have enough true volunteers.

They just don't want to pay what it would take, but if truly required by properly enforced regs (million dollar fines), believe me their seat allocation/prediction systems and staff transport algorithms and procedures would very quickly become more efficient.

Yes that would cut into airline profits, but the actual amount would literally be less than peanuts.

I completely agree everyone should obey flight staff instructions, that is to me completely irrelevant to the larger issue.

And yes less important than other issues, but doesn't mean it shouldn't be fixed so customers aren't treated in ways even criminals shouldn't be treated that way unless absolutely necessay.

 

[Ballenxj]

even criminals shouldn't be treated that way unless absolutely necessay.

Apparently the good Doctor chose to make it necessary. His made a poor decision.

 

[IanC]

Hundreds of thousands volunteer annually in exchange for compensation.

It's all speculation at this point and like most stories, this one ran away on social media before any facts were known beyond what the video showed.

That he deplaned, to me, implies that he did take what he was offered initially but decided to return - very possibly (again a guess, or why did he?) because he decided the offer wasn't enough.  People are so savvy now that they know what they're doing in regards to corporations and what they will do to protect their image, so why not refuse, hold onto the seat and be dragged off.

I think a lot of opinions will change when the full story comes out.  The full video is probably being reviewed as we speak as well as the multiple security cameras that there undoubtedly are on every flight.  The airline knows what the real story is and have the best attorneys money can buy, and that's why they feel confident in digging in their heels.

 

[John61CT]

It's all speculation at this point and like most stories, this one ran away on social media before any facts were known beyond what the video showed.

That he deplaned, to me, implies that he did take what he was offered initially but decided to return - very possibly (again a guess, or why did he?) because he decided the offer wasn't enough.

He initially accepted the offer, but had not been informed when they'd get him on the next one. Then he found out the next flight would be the next afternoon not the same day, and didn't want to miss

United claimed the involuntaries were selected by computer at random, but what are the odds one of the previous takers out of hundreds?

He was obviously genuinely upset, no way anyone could think that was calculated.

 

[John61CT]

Ellen great line " we finally found out why United Airlines doesn't want to allow passengers to wear yoga pants , there isn't enough for them to grab onto when they gotta drag you off the plane"

 

[ArtW]

I'll wait for more info before forming an opinion, but two things I will say
1 I am really glad I don't fly
2 as bad as this looks, the memes it has generated are a Laff Riot

 

[IanC]

 

[TrainChaser]

This 'doctor' has an arrest/conviction history as long as your arm. Okay.

The part that interested me was that they didn't ask for 'volunteers' until everyone was on the plane. He was already in his seat. What happened, did someone from the board of directors of UAL suddenly decide to go somewhere? Or can't the counter people count?

But, given the airlines and their bad habits, and TSA and THEIR bad habits, I would rather drive across country and look at the scenery than fly with any of the airlines.

 

[DannyB1954]

According to FAA rules, the airline was required to show him in writing what his rights were, (none). I believe they failed to follow proper procedure so he will now be dragging them, (into court). Legally they may have had the right to remove him, but I bet a jury will conclude the party that caused the problem, (United by overbooking), was the one to pay the price to resolve it. The passenger bought the ticket. He did not break the contract as he understood it. United could have offered more money, or even a one way car rental, (next stop was a 6 hour drive). It might have cost United hundreds or even thousands. Last I read it has cost them 500 million, and it is not over yet.

 

[djkeev]

................. 

But, given the airlines and their bad habits, and TSA and THEIR bad habits, I would rather drive across country and look at the scenery than fly with any of the airlines.

AMEN!!!!!!!! ^^^^^^^

I'm with you, rarely do I need to get anywhere fast, I have flown but never enjoyed it in recent years...... I just want to begin Mooing as I stand in neverending seas of frustrated humanity. 

As a child when one flew, one dressed up and you were treated with respect and treated accordingly, it was a BIG deal to fly! 


Dave

 

[Weight]

It wasn't exactly overbooked. At the last minute United realized their crew overslept from the night before and missed their flight home. It then was an emergency and United had to make room on the next flight.

 

[Kathleen]

How much is their stock down since before the event?

Would love to see an hourly graph

Do a search. It's there.

 

[Kathleen]

My father was involved with politics and the media. I learned about bribery when I was a little girl.

I question all info from the media, can't take it at face value. Cell phones are an invaluable asset in documenting events.

The story re the doc's bad history could be true or false. I haven't delved into research to learn if he did indeed have his medical license taken away for illegal activities. But corporations are known for promoting falsehoods on their own behalf. 

Even if he did engage in illegal prescription drug activities he should have been read his rights. IF the airlines are required to pay check or cash on the spot I'd like to know that.

If ever bumped, and I knew it was my right, I would demand cash rather than a flimsy flight voucher. Yes, flights are overbooked these days, but this story had a fishy smell to me.

Would there be any reason the airlines are now trying to promote fear when flying? Some of you may follow my drift.

Question everything.

 

[DannyB1954]

The Doctor's history has little to do with the bad behavior of United. If someone with no history refused to give up the seat they paid for, it would not have changed what United did.