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Blogs > tickles4us > tickles

"Fly the Friendly Skies"  

tickles4us 62M
1600 posts
4/10/2017 9:47 pm

Last Read:
4/16/2017 11:46 pm
"Fly the Friendly Skies"

So have you heard about the incident on a United Airlines plane in Chicago today? The flight was from Chicago to Louisville, Ky.

How the airline over booked then did the usual routine of asking for volunteers to leave the plane. They needed four people to give up their seats. People had already boarded at this point and were in their assigned seats. Three people took the offered compensation at some point during the process but they needed one more person to give up a seat. However it was that they chose the four people to be removed the last one that was chosen was an individual who said “I’m not getting off the plane. I’m a doctor; I have to see patients in the morning.”

The United employee told the man that if he didn't get off the plane she would call security. The passenger shouted out to her as she turned away to leave that he was being singled out because he was Chinese.

A plain clothes security officer came in with some associates in uniform. This security officer then reached over to the Doctor and grabs him and pulls him with the help of his associate out of the seat over the armrest busting the guys lip in the process then proceeds to drag him down the isle on his back. The other passengers were complaining about the abusive process as it happened.

Now if this was a passenger that didn't already have a valid ticket and wasn't already seated it would be one thing. If this was a passenger who was doing something to cause problems it would be acceptable. But this was done to allow the company to seat four of their employees in these seats which they had oversold. That's pretty damn shameful in my opinion.

Now I know that the airline always has the right to bump a passenger when they overbook or for whatever reason but don't you think it might have been a better choice given that this was for their own employees to try and get someone else to accept an offer before trying to physically remove a passenger?

I just heard on the news that the employees were not even on the scheduled list of passengers but had just showed up and said they needed to get to Louisville for work... I don't know if that is true but if so it makes it even worse.

I hope he sues the hell out of them and whens a huge settlement.
Vive La Difference
sweet_VM 65F
81699 posts
4/15/2017 8:50 am

 The story hit the Canada news here. ? It was really bad situation. I was was disgraceful. hugs V
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm


tickles4us replies on 4/15/2017 4:20 pm:
It certainly was. The people involved ought to be ashamed of them selves.

wickedeasy 74F
32404 posts
4/12/2017 3:15 pm

 poorly handled? for sure.

did it go viral for the right reasons? not so sure.
did the passenger's past then get dragged up and put on media? for sure

this type of overreaction on the part of the security force for United was unseemly and preposterous considering they were flying employees to another job site. paid customers should always be given contractual preference.

social media made it into a huge thing. someone on my facebook countered with why is everyone so pissed about this when a young boy was shot in his school? a valid point? is it because we can't rant at a dead father? or is it because it's more fun to kick a corporation than tae on the larger issue of people's high anxiety and stress right now?
You cannot conceive the many without the one.


tickles4us replies on 4/12/2017 8:17 pm:
I agree, very poorly handled. The passengers past shouldn't even be brought into the picture for a situation like this but the passenger himself did bring up the fact he was a doctor etc. and thereby opened the issue. But now a days people have no privacy.

If they are going to try to get their employees on an airplane that is full and requires people to give up their seat then they should make offers until the required number of people leave or just bite the bullet and send their employees by other means or make other arrangements. I think someone got pissed that the guy wouldn't take the offer and instead of doing the responsible thing like trying to get someone else to take the terms, they decided to exercise their power and did it in a foolish way. Because it isn't a very good idea to send police into a situation like that telling them the passenger needs to be removed and I'm willing to bet the police were told the passenger was being belligerent or some such thing.

Everyone is pissed at the airlines anyway so they want to beat up on them and this was a video of the action. I think people feel helpless about the school shooting especially because it was a domestic situation and the kids weren't even targeted. There is nothing they can do about that situation but the airlines can be shamed into changes. It isn't going to work trying to shame the congress into changing the firearms laws at this time. I have to wonder if the lady thought her husband was dangerous or not and if she knew about his past issues? If she did she should have informed the school about not letting him in but then again that could have turned out even worse. Would it have been responsible of her to take a leave of absence if she knew her husband was a potential threat in order to not have him going to the school. Certainly if she knew he was a threat she should have been able to get his firearms removed from his possession, but of course that wouldn't stop him from getting something somewhere else. Things need to change for these domestic abuse, threat or risk type situations. Someone with his history should not have access to firearms.

goodatpoetry2 74M
16552 posts
4/12/2017 5:19 am

 BTW... here's an idea that the airlines ought to love....

Every knows that you CAN get bumped. . it's a part of your ticket agreement.

But if they charge an extra $50 dollars for * un-bumpable seats*, then if it's mandatory that you get THAT fight, you'll pay it.
Important people who HAVE to get somewhere will pay. . They probably can afford it anyway.
Other people who have to go somewhere special ( a funeral? ) will pay THAT time, because it's important.
Usually, most people will try to get away without paying. . But they'll be extra aware that they could get bumped and have no right to cause a scene ( other than be upset like anyone would ).

With some people paying extra.... maybe they could even throw in some free peanuts again.


tickles4us replies on 4/12/2017 7:35 pm:
Maybe that could work but it would only work if all airlines did the same offer as the competition would end up taking away passengers because of the cheaper rates without that system.

What would be appropriate is if they charged a fee for people who don't show up for their flight, unless it is because of a late connecting flight or getting jacked up by security, and not overbook and if they have employees who need transport then they will have to make other arrangements or buy back tickets if they can find a customer who wants to sell it. I would call it customer service and fair business practices. Imagine if you ordered a pizza and it never showed up, then you called and they said well someone else called for the same pizza but they were closer so we sent your pizza to them instead, but if you still want a pizza we can send out another in about half an hour. The airlines have been abusing the customers for a long time and it is about time it changed.

Even the elephants won't remember what free peanuts are by the time that happens.

goodatpoetry2 74M
16552 posts
4/12/2017 2:13 am

 I'm just saying... that when you're on an airplane these days, and security is called and comes in to escort you off the plane ( for ANY reason ), you do not... in any way... resist them.

Later on you can file a complaint or sue them or whatever, but if you're going to force them to yank you out of the seat, then it's on you.

He didn't get hurt until after he was forced out and hit his lip on the seat in the other isle. . He started his screaming way before that.


tickles4us replies on 4/12/2017 7:19 pm:
Can't argue with that. It is better to comply under these kind of circumstances.

But the whole point is the airline went way overboard for the situation. Their employee problem transport problems should not preempt paying customers right to get where they are going on the schedule they made according to the flight times they were given.

redrockrascal 65M
23580 posts
4/11/2017 6:55 pm

 tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 6:50 pm:
After all everybody and any corporation has a right to make money which preempts the right to be treated like a human being.

According to the SCOTUS money has more rights than people.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 7:16 pm:
And people with money seem to have more rights then those without money.

pocogato12 71F  
37235 posts
4/11/2017 9:04 am

 I copied my post off the TELEGRAPH
(Virtual Symposium Group) use Virtual Symposium Group


pocogato12 71F  
37235 posts
4/11/2017 9:02 am

 n aviation security officer who dragged a passenger off of an overbooked United Airlines flight to make room for employees has been placed on leave, Chicago authorities said on Monday.

The officer - one of three involved in the Sunday night incident - did not follow protocol, according to a statement from the Chicago Department of Aviation, and as a result "has been placed on leave effective today pending a thorough review of the situation."

"The actions of the aviation security officer are obviously not condoned by the Department," the statement said.
According to witnesses the man, one of four passengers randomly selected by United to leave the overbooked flight, protested that he was a doctor who needed to see patients in the morning, and that he was calling his lawyer.

One woman could be heard screaming: "Please, my God. What are you doing? No. This is wrong. Oh my God. Look at what you did to him. You busted his lip."

United had initially asked for four volunteers to deplane and get a flight the next day in return for $800 and night in a hotel, but there were no volunteers.
It then selected four people randomly using a computer and asked them to get off. Three did, but the man refused.

Officers from Chicago's aviation department police force then boarded the plane. Mr Bridges, a passenger, said the man's face was bloodied.

He said: "Everyone was shocked and appalled. There were several children on the flight as well that were very upset."

In Mr Bridges' video, a woman asks: "Can't they rent a car for the pilots and have them drive?" Two uniformed men then reach into the doctor's seat and yank him from his chair.Fellow passenger Jayse D Anspach, who goes by @JayseDavid on Twitter, wrote: "No one volunteered (to leave), so @United decided to choose for us. They chose an Asian doctor and his wife."

While airport security staff were ejecting him, Mr Anspach wrote, his face was slammed against an arm rest, causing his mouth to bleed.

"It looked like he was knocked out, because he went limp and quiet," Mr Anspach wrote, "and they dragged him out of the plane like a rag doll."

Mr Bridge's video shows the passenger screaming as officers yank him from his seat. He is then seen being dragged down the aisle on his back by his hands, body limp, glasses askew and shirt pulled up above his navel.

Another video shows him, still disheveled from the altercation, returning to the cabin, running to the back of the plane and repeating: "I have to go home."

A spokesman for United initially said: "We followed the right procedures. That plane had to depart."

Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines' parent company, apologised first in a written statement and then in a letter to employees on Monday evening.

Mr Munoz said he was "upset to see and hear about what happened" at O'Hare. He added, however, that the man dragged off the plane had ignored requests by crew members to leave and became "disruptive and belligerent," making it necessary to call airport police.

"Our employees followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this," Mr Munoz told employees. "While I deeply regret this situation arose, I also emphatically stand behind all of you, and I want to commend you for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure we fly right."

Yeah right:Video of the incident posted to Twitter account @Tyler_Bridges
Bumping paid passengers for employees is totally WRONG
(Virtual Symposium Group) use Virtual Symposium Group


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 6:01 pm:
I agree. If they are going to try to get their employees on an airplane that is full and requires people to give up their seat then they should make offers until the required number of people leave or just bite the bullet and send their employees by other means or make other arrangements. I think someone got pissed that the guy wouldn't take the offer and instead of doing the responsible thing like trying to get someone else to take the terms, they decided to exercise their power and did it in a foolish way. Because it isn't a very good idea to send police into a situation like that telling them the passenger needs to be removed and I'm willing to bet the police were told the passenger was being belligerent or some such thing.

redrockrascal 65M
23580 posts
4/11/2017 6:13 am

 Now imagine if the airline industry is further deregulated.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:50 pm:
Just let Trump keep going. He will have it so they go in with tazzers and remove whomever they think they need to and then throw them in jail as terrorist for objecting to being removed from the plane.

After all everybody and any corporation has a right to make money which preempts the right to be treated like a human being.

greekphilosopher 61M
4077 posts
4/11/2017 3:27 am

 Disgrace! Such bad publicity for any airline. And of course, we all hope and expect him to take them to the cleaners via the courts! Last minute or not, does not even come into play. An issued ticket is a contract. I hope regular flyers with that airline, drop it like a ton of bricks and never use it again.


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:44 pm:
I agree with you for the most part. The contract does allow them to do things like bumping passengers but I don't think it includes this level of treatment. If they screw up and overbook then they need to pay the price and make higher incentive offers to get someone to give up their seat or bite the bullet and find another way to get their employee there on time. I just as soon people didn't boycott them just yet but they certainly should pay up for this incident. They do employ a lot of people but some of them seem to have forgotten about sensible behavior and choices.

spunkycumfun 63M/69F
41171 posts
4/11/2017 2:00 am

 This story has made it to the UK. The airline's behaviour was disgraceful.


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:38 pm:
It certainly was and they should have to pay for this kind of idiocy.

goodatpoetry2 74M
16552 posts
4/11/2017 1:46 am

 If this was done just to allow employees to board, that that is so wrong.
They could have offered way better incentives to the passengers and I'm sure someone would have taken them up on it. . Or, just sent those employees on the next flight out.

The only things that bothers me a bit ( just a little ) was his pulling out the race card ( Chinese ), and the way he screamed like a baby ( before he was hurt ). . You'd think as a doctor he'd act more adult-like.

But that does NOT make what they did right, at all.


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:36 pm:
I agree they should have to offer better incentives as it is their fault in the first place. It seems it was the last flight out on their airline anyways to Louisville and the employees were supposed to be there for a flight out the next morning or some such thing.

I understand what you are saying about the race card but on the other hand the current climate kind of justifies such concerns. I would say he had every right to be screaming given he had done nothing wrong and two guys were grabbing him hard enough to yank him out of his seat and bang him up in the process. Call it anticipation. Besides some people may have health issues that make it very painful to get yanked around like that, he is 69 years old after all. They could have and may have for that matter done serious injuries to the poor guy. He should have just took the offer instead of insisting but on the other hand they could have made a better offer to anyone who would take it or just sent the forth employee by other means and learned to handle these kind of things better.

hotfun_1966 57M
3677 posts
4/11/2017 12:56 am

 Absolutely not, since it is not a life-and-death case. How the heck do four off-duty United employees get to break the late boarding rules?

United had two better options than inconveniencing four paying customers, including that doctor who got roughed up and dragged off the plane:

1) Send the employees on the next flight to Lovisville. Or

2) Since Louisville is so close to ORD, send them via rental car!


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:09 pm:
They had many options that would have been better but apparently someone decided to use their power. A very poor choice and to make it even worse they order a 69 year old man to be physically removed. Shameful.

samantha888 36F  
750 posts
4/10/2017 11:00 pm

 unacceptable behaviour by United


tickles4us replies on 4/11/2017 5:06 pm:
It certainly is especially as it was to place their own employees on the flight. No reason what so ever to justify the level they took it to. They should have upped the price and got someone else to get off or simply sent their employees by another means.

tickles4us 62M
7262 posts
4/10/2017 9:49 pm

 Do you think already paid and seated passengers should have to leave if airline employees show up looking to get on the plane at the last minute?
Vive La Difference


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