Passenger on United Airlines

[sherryinutah]

Big news.  Earlier today, a passenger was physically pulled off an United Airlines flight because the flight was overbooked.  I understand the passenger was physically injured during this incident.

The United Airlines employees were trying to make room for other airline employees who apparently needed to catch that specific flight.

Passengers were asked to volunteer to leave the flight; however, there weren't enough passengers who volunteered to leave so the computer selected a specific passenger to "pull off the flight".

What do you think about all this?

I think the injured passenger might do well to find a good attorney to sue United Airlines.   

[dreamyxo]

I think he shares responsibility in the outcome of his actions.  If he had just gone with the police quietly he wouldn't have been injured.  When the police come for you follow their directions and don't resist.

[Crashed]

Hmmm? Was it the actual "police" airport security or airline employees...?
Not really enough info to say. What is "official" policy on this practice and where is it stated? On your ticket? The airline website? Just curious to know...

[mgint]

looks like a lawsuit for the man drug off plane

[Jayce2013]

Well.. that is weird and first time I hear something about that... If I am on a flight and they have to pull me off... they better pay me!!!

[linderlizzie]

Someone should have volunteered. They usually give you nice perks for leaving your flight. As for the person they picked, he should have left when they picked him. That's the way the old ball bounces.

No need for litigation as he probably would not have been injured if he'd have complied. Rules are rules whether we like them or not. I'm just sayin'.

[michele2042]

The man they dragged off the plane was a physician who had to see patients early the next morning.   They offered $800, a hotel room for the night along with meals and you would fly home the next day.   If this man was able to prove he was a physician they should have let the computer pick someone else.   Also, United did not offer the highest amount allowable which is $1350.   Perhaps if they had someone else would have volunteered.  It was not the police that took him off, it was airport security.  One of the security personnel has been suspended with a statement from the security company saying he did not act in accordance with their policies.   The man was injured and had to go to the hospital because they slammed his face on the armrest.   How would you feel if you were a patient of the doctor and were unable to see him the next day due to this incident?   I feel they went over board without trying all the possibilities to get a volunteer.   

[yikes77]

I still feel that part of the story is missing here.  The guy was dragged off for a reason.  Not just escorted off, dragged.  Would they have done that if he complied?  It shouldn't have happened but I don't think the video tells the entire situation.

[michele2042]

I still feel that part of the story is missing here.  The guy was dragged off for a reason.  Not just escorted off, dragged.  Would they have done that if he complied?  It shouldn't have happened but I don't think the video tells the entire situation.

He was dragged because he refused to get up and give up his seat.   Before he was dragged they slammed his face into the armrest. 

[aflyingmonkey]

First, I think they went way overboard dragging him off.  I can't even watch the footage, they keep playing it, it is horrific.   United should have kept offering more money for someone to give up their seat, apparently the next flight wasn't until the next day at noon.  But more incentives could have been offered....  Hopefully this will lead to procedural changes.

I think the doctor should have been more professional & not screamed & acted a fool causing such a scene either.... it's not like they were dragging him off to prison or something.  I'm sure if he would have discussed with United, like an adult that he was an doctor & had to see patients the next day, they could have selected someone else.  What did he think was going to accomplish by screaming & resisting. If I found out that was my doctor, I would find a new doctor.   

[griserelizabeth]

I think they went a little overboard dragging him off the flight but I also think the passenger shouldn't have acted the way he did  and caused a scene.

[kdemers0]

First, I think they went way overboard dragging him off.  I can't even watch the footage, they keep playing it, it is horrific.   United should have kept offering more money for someone to give up their seat, apparently the next flight wasn't until the next day at noon.  But more incentives could have been offered....  Hopefully this will lead to procedural changes.

I think the doctor should have been more professional & not screamed & acted a fool causing such a scene either.... it's not like they were dragging him off to prison or something.  I'm sure if he would have discussed with United, like an adult that he was an doctor & had to see patients the next day, they could have selected someone else.  What did he think was going to accomplish by screaming & resisting. If I found out that was my doctor, I would find a new doctor.

I agree to an extent. Obviously, the way that was handled was horrific and there is no excuse for dragging him off like a rag doll. I agree they should have upped the incentives- after all they were asking a favor of their paying customers that was extremely inconvenient for them.

I don't agree that the doctor was acting a fool. I think he was legitimately afraid, and rightfully so. In the videos there are many people expressing vocal concerns for the situation happening which only escalates his feeling of being unsafe. I get that you are saying he should have talked to them, but with seeing how they handled it I also doubt they gave anyone a chance to talk things out. He was the victim in this situation when all is said and done- sure things could have been done to prevent this happening on both parts, but what it comes down to is United was 100% in the wrong for the end result.

[aflyingmonkey]

Turns out the the Doctor is a creep... probably genuinely fearful he was going back to jail...

"The Doctor has a criminal history and previously lost his license to practice medicine.
DR was charged with 98 felony drug counts for illegally prescribing and trafficking painkillers in 2005.
DR was also convicted on six felony counts of obtaining drugs by fraud and deceit and got five years probation in 2005.
According to legal documents the DR was also convicted for writing prescriptions and checks to a patient in exchange for sex - In the documents the DR denies paying for sex but admits to accepting sexual favors from an associate who owed him money.

The report states the DR surrendered his medical license in Kentucky in 2005.
In 2015 the medical board lifted the suspension and allowed him restricted practice.
But then last year the medical board imposed more restrictions -
the DR can only practice internal medicine in an outpatient facility one day per week. "

[michele2042]

Turns out the the Doctor is a creep... probably genuinely fearful he was going back to jail...

"The Doctor has a criminal history and previously lost his license to practice medicine.
DR was charged with 98 felony drug counts for illegally prescribing and trafficking painkillers in 2005.
DR was also convicted on six felony counts of obtaining drugs by fraud and deceit and got five years probation in 2005.
According to legal documents the DR was also convicted for writing prescriptions and checks to a patient in exchange for sex - In the documents the DR denies paying for sex but admits to accepting sexual favors from an associate who owed him money.

The report states the DR surrendered his medical license in Kentucky in 2005.
In 2015 the medical board lifted the suspension and allowed him restricted practice.
But then last year the medical board imposed more restrictions -
the DR can only practice internal medicine in an outpatient facility one day per week. "

His past is still no reason to remove him from the plane.  They didn't know about his  past.    Look at it this way, imagine you are in a very popular, expensive restaurant that is filled to capacity.  You have just received your meal when they come over and tell you that you need to leave, someone famous has just arrived without a reservation and they want a table immediately.   Would they have the right to drag you out of the restaurant, or for that matter, even ask you to leave?   
Same thing, he paid for his seat, it was his seat.

[BlackSheepNY]

Big news.  Earlier today, a passenger was physically pulled off an United Airlines flight because the flight was overbooked.  I understand the passenger was physically injured during this incident.

The United Airlines employees were trying to make room for other airline employees who apparently needed to catch that specific flight.

Passengers were asked to volunteer to leave the flight; however, there weren't enough passengers who volunteered to leave so the computer selected a specific passenger to "pull off the flight".

What do you think about all this?

I think the injured passenger might do well to find a good attorney to sue United Airlines.   

Saw the video.  What they did to that man is criminal.  The man is a DOCTOR!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what went on.  I hope he does sue them.  United USED to be one of the best airlines (years ago).  I wouldn't fly United if they paid me now.  They need to lose the practice of "overbooking" their flights because if this is how they treat paying customers, I'd say there's a whole lot of people who will forget their name in an instant and never book through them again.