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JHB

(38,228 posts)

70. The inevitable lawsuit will make them pay for it too...

Tue Apr 11, 2017, 03:02 PM

Apr 2017

The entire situation is due to United's inadequate policies for dealing with the situation: getting already-seated passengers to voluntarily relinquish their paid-for seats.

It was the company executives' decision to restrict inducement options to the extent that the on-site employees were left with extremely limited options when there were no takers. Either there was no provision to offer more -- or use other options, like cash rather than vouchers -- or a higher-level decision was not available in the necessary time frame.

It was up to them to buy the ticket back, and under the circumstances it was a seller's market. Vouchers are useless for infrequent flyers, and often have too many restrictions than regulars want to deal with. They took a gamble that they wouldn't run into a situation where that made the difference, and they lost, on camera.

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I refuse to "voluntarily" give up a seat I have paid for, and am, in fact, occupying, and some [View all] niyad Apr 2017 OP

It's like dragging you out of your hotel room greymattermom Apr 2017 #1

Exactly. athena Apr 2017 #4

I had this almost happen to me. I booked a hotel room for two weeks. I had been there about RKP5637 Apr 2017 #15

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #21

"corporate tone" ? annabanana Apr 2017 #23

Makin friends, eh? Iggo Apr 2017 #43

What a horrible experience! athena Apr 2017 #22

In my job as nursing supervisor, I learned a tone of voice that was pretty effective. TNNurse Apr 2017 #37

I have been told that my "tone" and a certain expression I use, can scare the biggest bullies niyad Apr 2017 #55

i never got bullied, or maybe i just stared at them when i was a kid. i had pansypoo53219 Apr 2017 #105

I am glad that you were never bullied. niyad Apr 2017 #188

Oh, well - at least they didn't evict while you were out during the day csziggy Apr 2017 #86

Wow, that is some story. One never knows what they're getting into. All it takes is the RKP5637 Apr 2017 #144

I'm sorry this happened to you, but you made me laugh! LisaM Apr 2017 #128

They'll claim you deserved it because you didn't read the fine print on your receipt kcr Apr 2017 #186

Small distinction... Moostache Apr 2017 #9

a most excellent point and comparison. niyad Apr 2017 #13

See #15. n/t RKP5637 Apr 2017 #18

I just read that--how utterly horrifying. the very least they should have comped your room. niyad Apr 2017 #27

Not just so someone else can have your bed - leftieNanner Apr 2017 #26

Thanks, another down-vote for United and MBAs that don't know customer relations erronis Apr 2017 #61

I don't hold out much hope leftieNanner Apr 2017 #189

Congrats to your daughter and to you! Let's hope her bright mind can lead us out of the dystopia erronis Apr 2017 #190

Thanks! leftieNanner Apr 2017 #191

I think it will get to the point that they won't even offer vouchers TNLib Apr 2017 #80

yes but if a business is too stupid to plan how to use its employee force u should suffer nt msongs Apr 2017 #2

THIS. If United can't figure out how to get its flights staffed efficiently, Volaris Apr 2017 #79

Somone had an interesting commentary on MSNBC earlier question everything Apr 2017 #3

I used to fly for work, multiple times per month, mostly Delta. Staph Apr 2017 #81

The gate crew or the travelling crew screwed up. They showed up late Ilsa Apr 2017 #106

my take burnbaby Apr 2017 #5

Turns out they were not sworn officers of the law, but hired thugs. I mean "security." nt Hekate Apr 2017 #8

No, I just looked it up and they are sworn officers Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #30

If they were any good at their job, they could have removed the man without splitting his lip. hamsterjill Apr 2017 #33

Maybe so Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #39

You are correct. hamsterjill Apr 2017 #41

I'm judging from my limited bit of seeing him Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #49

just stop ProfessorPlum Apr 2017 #57

You are right in almost all of that Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #65

Eff that. By the time TSA was halfway thru with me I was sobbing and I. Don't. Cry. In. Public. Hekate Apr 2017 #111

Hekate, I'm sorry you had to endure that ordeal. suffragette Apr 2017 #139

Thank you for your kindness Hekate Apr 2017 #173

The acceptance of this degradation and even brutality is disgusting. suffragette Apr 2017 #174

I am really glad to see this video. duncang Apr 2017 #175

I don't know if this new video is posted elsewhere. Maybe I should post it in a new thread. suffragette Apr 2017 #176

Fucking corporate apologists NewRedDawn Apr 2017 #90

I know, right? ProfessorPlum Apr 2017 #94

Yep. A-Schwarzenegger Apr 2017 #108

Yeah, those bloodstains are hard to get out Hekate Apr 2017 #179

Thin blue line. JTFrog Apr 2017 #91

Guide her out the door with a hand on the shoulder? .99center Apr 2017 #134

He is being destroyed in the UK media HoneyBadger Apr 2017 #85

I wouldn't want him as a doctor after seeing how he behaved.... EX500rider Apr 2017 #97

A tantrum? You have no idea what happened before the cameras started recording. Hekate Apr 2017 #133

When adults have a problem with the airlines, they try and straighten it out, not flail and scream. EX500rider Apr 2017 #136

Riiiiiight Hekate Apr 2017 #142

You don't even know what type of condition his patients were in. .99center Apr 2017 #137

This video gives a good explanation of what happened. PotatoChip Apr 2017 #88

Connecting flight to where? spiderpig Apr 2017 #114

They didn't say. (nt) PotatoChip Apr 2017 #115

I used to have a job that required a LOT of flying. Stonepounder Apr 2017 #116

Every article I've read described his reason. spooky3 Apr 2017 #159

I was remarking that I'd not seen a statement from the passenger himself. hamsterjill Apr 2017 #164

It was from the passenger himself. You're not getting it. spooky3 Apr 2017 #166

Since you're so much more savvy than me - hamsterjill Apr 2017 #170

Cops learn how to use holds and compliance techniques OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #60

I agree in part Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #64

To build on your point, OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #66

Possibly Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #75

welcome to du. the question of the "duly sworn officer" brings up the question: if there niyad Apr 2017 #10

Pretty much, yes. christx30 Apr 2017 #103

Pretty much this. Cops were put in a no-win situation Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #20

agree burnbaby Apr 2017 #24

I can't believe you're justifying physical assault. athena Apr 2017 #28

Failure to follow lawful orders Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #32

Lawful "orders" Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #67

Precisely malaise Apr 2017 #74

Might want to read all the small print on your ticket. EX500rider Apr 2017 #100

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #104

implicitly agreed not explicitly. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #153

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #156

I said it was a contract of adhesion. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #168

It is explicit, actually whopis01 Apr 2017 #165

No, when one side puts fine print on a contract OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #167

You are confusing terms whopis01 Apr 2017 #171

I am not the one that is confused. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #178

Not quite true FBaggins Apr 2017 #180

As explicit as what needs to be? OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #183

I'll rephrase FBaggins Apr 2017 #184

It may have been legal, but it was wrong. Flaleftist Apr 2017 #78

I'm sorry d_r Apr 2017 #117

A lot probably happened we didn't see in that video Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #119

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #51

The passenger should be reasoned with, and if he won't leave, he should be left alone. athena Apr 2017 #59

Well argued. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #62

Excellent point. athena Apr 2017 #72

exactly! OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #154

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #89

wow way to make assumptions OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #150

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #155

Not odd at all. Just following your lead. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #169

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #172

Hahahahahaha OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #177

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #181

Seriosuly? OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #182

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #76

This thread should answer your question. athena Apr 2017 #84

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #96

And why would an airline pick a senior citizen rather than a younger person womanofthehills Apr 2017 #140

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 2017 #147

Cops defend cops. JTFrog Apr 2017 #92

"Cops are supposed to be trained to be able to reason with people without using physical force." The Big Ragu Apr 2017 #148

Except United didn't have the legal right to ask anyone to leave the plane. pnwmom Apr 2017 #126

And the place to adjudicate it was in civil court later Lee-Lee Apr 2017 #130

That gave them the right to beat him to a bloody pulp? kcr Apr 2017 #187

Are you an attorney? spooky3 Apr 2017 #160

Welcome to DU, burnbaby! calimary Apr 2017 #71

I love jet blue burnbaby Apr 2017 #95

Except courts have figured this out. bench scientist Apr 2017 #162

K&R sheshe2 Apr 2017 #6

Just be prepared... Docreed2003 Apr 2017 #7

I know. I was appalled by that post. niyad Apr 2017 #11

Me too Docreed2003 Apr 2017 #17

All I know is that we will never fly United again malaise Apr 2017 #12

same here. have already told them so, and they used to be my airline of choice. niyad Apr 2017 #14

Us too. This is just outrageous! Besides, who would want to fly an airline AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #146

The fine print on that ticket allows them to do this. ehrnst Apr 2017 #16

The inevitable lawsuit will make them pay for it too... JHB Apr 2017 #70

the contract you agree to when you buy the ticket is that you will give up your seat Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #19

yup..in the nearly illegible tiny print in the 25th paragraph, courtesy of the annabanana Apr 2017 #25

the print you need a lawyer to decipher Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #31

We need some new regulations to change that. athena Apr 2017 #69

The regulations require them to give the bumped passenger a WRITTEN statements of his rights. pnwmom Apr 2017 #73

I didn't watch the video Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #118

There is fine print, though. Ilsa Apr 2017 #99

yea I was hearing that on thom Hartmann . they can deny your boarding Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #120

That's "Rule 25," and only applies BEFORE boarding... regnaD kciN Apr 2017 #122

yes I am finding this out . apparently once you've been seated there is only Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #123

I read somewhere else that only applies BEFORE you are on the plane... WoonTars Apr 2017 #125

No, it does NOT say that on the United Airlines ticket. pnwmom Apr 2017 #127

yes I have been Informed I heard on thom Hartmann Ohioblue22 Apr 2017 #129

This should be the reaction of all of us hoovjim78 Apr 2017 #29

Welcome to DU, hoovjim781 calimary Apr 2017 #83

United lost a billion dollars overnight Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #34

too bad that was all they lost niyad Apr 2017 #36

Good, let them lose even more hatrack Apr 2017 #53

I'm not sure I can guarantee that, but I will definitely avoid them if possible Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #68

Just hit them the only place it really hurts: colorado_ufo Apr 2017 #35

refusing to "fly the not-so-friendly skies" ever again. niyad Apr 2017 #38

Has there been any statement from the passenger? hamsterjill Apr 2017 #40

see this post on DR. David Dao niyad Apr 2017 #44

Thank you! hamsterjill Apr 2017 #52

yes, he is a doctor. but, as others have pointed out, doctor or unemployed, NOBODY deserves niyad Apr 2017 #54

+1 ProfessorPlum Apr 2017 #107

Why did they randomly select who was to be booted. Shouldn't it have been the last tickets sold? Snotcicles Apr 2017 #42

and remember, these were passengers already boarded and seated. niyad Apr 2017 #46

And any over booking occurs after capacity is met. nt Snotcicles Apr 2017 #48

And AFTER everyone was boarded and seated they found out they had crewmembers to transport? rocktivity Apr 2017 #87

I thought this post was from Neil Gorsich maxrandb Apr 2017 #45

ohhh, I do LOVE the way you think!! niyad Apr 2017 #47

Being that McConnell has rendered tradition null and void lets do it. And all in the first 100 days. Snotcicles Apr 2017 #50

I agree but it will NEVER happen. OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #63

Does this United case set a precedent IronLionZion Apr 2017 #110

It looks like they CANNOT remove you once you are seated unless Ilsa Apr 2017 #56

oh, I hope that Dr. Dao end ups owning UA. niyad Apr 2017 #58

"Welcome to United Airlines annual shareholder's meeting... Raster Apr 2017 #102

From what I've found so far... WePurrsevere Apr 2017 #77

DING DING DING! Thom Hartmann and Ilsa, you're our grand prize winners! rocktivity Apr 2017 #93

Or if you are ill. They can remove you if you're sick. I forgot that one. NT Ilsa Apr 2017 #101

Yes -- and there's this: pnwmom Apr 2017 #121

Yeah, and the manipulation of passengers decribed here: Ilsa Apr 2017 #124

I hope that he sue Untied for all the millions that they pay their CEO and then some question everything Apr 2017 #131

I totally agree. What slays me are all the corporate sympathizers on here. AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #82

"slays me" is putting it mildly... sheeple worshiping at the altar of the wolves... Raster Apr 2017 #98

That's a rather delicious way to put it, Raster! calimary Apr 2017 #132

Thank you, calimary... very much appreciated! Raster Apr 2017 #143

Yes!!! They ALL need to go! AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #141

VOTE. EVERY. REPUBLICAN. OUT. OF. OFFICE! Raster Apr 2017 #145

Me too. I think DU is infested with bots and sock puppets as they post EXTREMELY un-DU anneboleyn Apr 2017 #149

it's sad but has been around here for at least 8 years OrwellwasRight Apr 2017 #151

We'll have to start calling the cops the corps world wide wally Apr 2017 #109

This would not happen to me. I will not sit on my status. Amimnoch Apr 2017 #112

Good for you! athena Apr 2017 #113

That's puttin your money where your mouth is. nt Snotcicles Apr 2017 #138

Christ on a trailer hitch. What a bunch of fascist apologists we have collected here. Hekate Apr 2017 #135

United has been bad for long time marlakay Apr 2017 #152

I'm so glad I don't have to fly, because I'm already where I want to be. n/t Binkie The Clown Apr 2017 #157

Flying is bad for the environment, too. athena Apr 2017 #158

Rail is fun, which is why Dumb Turnip is cutting over 200 cities from passenger service. n/t Binkie The Clown Apr 2017 #161

Kick and Rec Warren DeMontague Apr 2017 #163

. . . . niyad Apr 2017 #185