SteveR Loc: Michigan

Some fake news is actually funny

http://www.duffelblog.com/2017/04/pentagon-awards-contract-united-airlines-forcibly-remove-assad/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Duffel+Blog&utm_content=Pentagon+awards+contract+to+United+Airlines+to+forcibly+remove+Assad

MtnMan Loc: ID

Love it!

What assholes run United.

They commend their employees for following their assholic behavior:

http://www.9news.com/news/travel/united-airliness-fiasco-prompts-apology-suspension-officer-is-put-on-leave/430350853

Why do they think they can breach their contracts with impunity?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The CEO of American Airlines finally issued an apology which is in the current issue of the Washington Post. One thing is certain, the man dragged off the plane will be hiring a lawyer soon. Or they may have already contacted him.

MtnMan Loc: ID

He already has lawyers. There are several targets available to them.

I believe denied boarding should be treated as a breach of contract and subject to severe penalties on the airlines. Kicking people out once they have boarded should be a criminal offence (unless they misbehave before being accosted). People have plans and once in a lifetime events at risk when they reserve seats and need to be treated accordingly. It is a contract!

Offering a certificate for future travel does not entitle the airline to breach their contract to carry. (Force Majuere, e.g. Weather or mechanical failure, does entitle them to cancel trips...but not to abuse individals.)

It is purely a profit motive for the airlines to not allow for reserve capacity in their systems. That is why small delays can explode the system as happened to Delta last week. It is piss poor management driven by short term profit focus.

Exacerbated by assholes like the CEO of United that puts regulations and employees forth as excuses for his incomptence and clearly does not give a care about customers.

He had to be forced into a too little, too late apology.

I won't ever pick United again. But then I try hard to not travel by air anymore. Alas, it is sometimes the only realistic alternative.

davefales Loc: Virginia

This incident turned out to be initially incorrectly reported (SOP for today's media.) It appears that the "victim" had departed the aircraft peaceably when asked but decided to re-enter and create a confrontation. A captain (of the same type aircraft) called a talk show to explain that it is widely accepted that trouble on the ground is a precursor to trouble in the air...when it can be considerably more dangerous. The good doctor should have had his confrontation outside the aircraft.

ajcotterell

Some years ago, there used to be a Web site called Untied Airlines.com, which listed all the various indignities to customers and mishandling of flyer issues by United airlines. I looked for it, but it's gone. Delta is only a little better; DELTA really means "Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive." Im firmly convinced that if the FAA would let them, ALL airlines would put subway straps in the coach section of airliners, and force us to sit on orange crates as we flew to Florida. Passengers are just cattle to the airlines. "Coach cooties."
AJ

MtnMan Loc: ID

There might be truth in the first part of that. He might have left and then found that they wouldn't rebook him to get where he needed to go when he needed, so went back to his contracted seat.

That did not cause the confrontation. There was no confrontation until the Security guards accosted the man.

To me this makes United more guilty...even the pilot defending their unacceptable behavior.

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

The reports I have read say that the removed passenger (who was one of four randomly chosen) refused to leave the airliner and the video posted was of him being forcibly removed. The report also mentions he was able to re-enter the plane. I have not seen your version of the report.

As "resistance is futile", I would not have resisted. But one must make known their displeasure with mistreatment concurrent with the event otherwise the offenders will not know they offend. And, yes, the motivation on the part of the airlines (and not just United) is obvious - increased profit.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Does anyone know what they told him once he left the plane, and then re-entered the plane to regain his seat? It appears something is missing between that action that has not been mentioned. He kept saying "I have to go home." As if it was urgent. Imagine being thrown off that plane, and you were planning to see your dying mother/father or close relative in a hospital. And the Airline can't guarantee your next flight, and your luggage is on the plane that left you behind.

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

I heard that he said he was a doctor and had patients to see.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Thought for the day: "If there's no seating, take the beating!"

MtnMan Loc: ID

Right. That is why the rules need to change. It has become too easy for Airlines to abuse their customers in this regard.

The only excuses allowed to take you off the plane should be health, misbehavior (i.e. they arrest you) or flight cancellation.

The excuses to deny boarding should only apply if you were not given a seat reservation AND were asked to approve a notice that you understand you might be denied boarding, or a forced equipment change. Generic small print notices that they can break the contract don't hack it. Try not showing up and getting your money back!

Allowing Airlines to kick off passengers because the Airlines don't properly schedule their personnel travel is criminal. They should have to lease a private plane if they create that problem. Or maybe use the CEO's plane.

Overbooking denyed boarding should be entirely at the airlines risk...i.e. with the above rules for denied boarding plus compensation rules.