topic Re: United airlines overbooking in Community Chat

United airlines overbooking

cherry — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:49:04 GMT

It seems no one would give up their seat on an overbooked flight, so 4 people were chosen by computer and forced off the plane

One man said he was a Dr, and needed to see his patients. They hauled him off the flight, and roughed him up quite badly, in the process

How do they get away with this kind of stuff? Surely they know how many seats they sell?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4396986/Passengers-film-moment-police-drag-man-United-plane.html

Re: United airlines overbooking

gracie2014 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:51:23 GMT

@cherry Whoa, that is not good!

Re: United airlines overbooking

NanaLinda — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:52:04 GMT

I've found that the Daily Mail exaggerates and I don't usually believe half of what they print. Just my opinion, of course!

Re: United airlines overbooking

momtochloe — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:55:58 GMT

@NanaLinda wrote:
I've found that the Daily Mail exaggerates and I don't usually believe half of what they print. Just my opinion, of course!

@cherry I was just coming here to post about this . . . @NanaLinda I couldn't believe what I was reading on Twitter until someone posted a link to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

To be honest I'm still not sure what's going on but if all of this shakes out to be true United is in for a world full of hurt:

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/04/10/video-shows-man-forcibly-removed-united-flight-chicago-louisville/100274374/

Re: United airlines overbooking

cherry — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:57:09 GMT

ABC news reports the same thing. The passengers videoed it

http://www.whas11.com/news/local/man-pulled-of-united-airways-plane-in-chicago-set-for-louisville/430022787

Re: United airlines overbooking

SUHsE — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:01:58 GMT

Overbooking on airlines, is not uncommon, because of no-shows and last minute cancellations. I've been booked on flights, a couple of times, where this happened. Fortunately, both times they had no trouble getting volunteers.

This seems like a very weird situation. The man certainly wasn't behaving like a professsional, he acted, frankly, like he was unbalanced.

I cant imagine the need to drag him off like that. However, if you're flying, Federal law requires you to comply with instructions and requests, by the crew.

Do what you're asked, take up your complaint, with the airline, when you're back on the ground.

Re: United airlines overbooking

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:03:35 GMT

The way that it works is this:

The airlines knows that most likely, not everybody is going to show up for their flight, so they sell more tickets than they have seats for.

In the event that every single passenger does show up for their flight, the last person who checks in for that flight, will be the one who will be removed, for the stand-by passenger.

That why it is always best to check in as early as possible for any flight.

Some airlines will let you check in as early as 24 hours before the scheduled flight.

Also, some people may check in (via on line), but not actually show up for their flight.

Re: United airlines overbooking

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:10:04 GMT

I read this on the MSN homepage and this is a very odd story. There has to be more to it.

A couple of years ago I flew Southwest to Nashville and the flight was overbooked. They were actually calling out peoples' names over the pa system to try and get them to give up their seat. I don't know what would have happened if those people wouldn't have complied.

I remember coming back from Nashville to Cleveland and again the flight was overbooked. In that instance the last people boarding, who were the last to check-in and were in group C were told they couldn't take the flight.

Re: United airlines overbooking

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:15:13 GMT

@Suhse wrote:

This seems like a very weird situation. The man certainly wasn't behaving like a professsional, he acted, frankly, like he was unbalanced.

ITA.

There's a nano-second between 'upset' & 'belligerent'.

Belligerent becomes unsafe for other passengers.

Then he ran back on? He's not helping his case.

Most normal people would've walked off &

then take legal actions after they deplaned.

Re: United airlines overbooking

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:21:52 GMT

What "legal action" is there to take?

United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.

Re: United airlines overbooking

QVCkitty1 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:34:54 GMT

After working with doctors for almost 40 years, let me tell you they don't like to be told no, LOL 😂

Re: United airlines overbooking

momtochloe — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:36:42 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
What "legal action" is there to take?

United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.

Ok this is where I get lost in this story @Plaid Pants2 as he was already in his seat so from my point of view he was boarded . . . I have been on overbooked flights and for the most part the situation was handled before folks were on the plane but I have never seen a situation where folks were taken off of an overbooked plane against their will (please know just my experience). It bothers me that the folks they were trying to jam onto that plane were United employees/crew. If all of this turns out to be true their PR folks are going to be earning their money this week.

Re: United airlines overbooking

sfnative — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:37:31 GMT

You make plans, follow everything to the rule, then get bounced off of a flight OR the flight is canceled altogether. I've had it with United. Don't book with them any longer. In a period of 15 months on 3 flights out of 3, one was canceled (as we're all sitting in the airport waiting to board - in our case for my MIL's funeral), and the other two they bounced me. I had made my reservations ****** purchase months prior and showed up in plenty of time for seat assignment.

Several years prior to that, I had flown back into SF on United to have shoulder surgery, stayed at my grandmother's for a week, then headed for a United flight to return to our rather new home out of state. On the plane, I had a small bag to stow in the overhead, but couldn't manage it with my right arm in a sling. I tried several times with my left arm, but failed miserably. Having asked a Flight Attendant to help, she look at me with the nastiest look I've ever seen from such a person, turned her nose up in the air and said, "WE don't do THAT sort of thing. DO it yourself." Having completed a 180, she clomped off to be rude to someone else. A kind gentleman from a few rows back had heard the exchange and came to help.

Never United.

Re: United airlines overbooking

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:41:23 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
What "legal action" is there to take?
United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.

ITA.

But if this gentleman thought it was within his rights,

enough to be publically dragged,

than I guarantee that thought could be parlayed to legal action.

Didn't say he had a legit case, but he could've channeled that

energy to a lawsuit. Now? He just looks crazy.

Re: United airlines overbooking

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:42:57 GMT

@momtochloe wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
What "legal action" is there to take?

United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.

Ok this is where I get lost in this story @Plaid Pants2 as he was already in his seat so from my point of view he was boarded . . . I have been on overbooked flights and for the most part the situation was handled before folks were on the plane but I have never seen a situation where folks were taken off of an overbooked plane against their will (please know just my experience). It bothers me that the folks they were trying to jam onto that plane were United employees/crew. If all of this turns out to be true their PR folks are going to be earning their money this week.

Airline employees may be on their way to their home airport to go to work.

We have flight crews fly out of where I work all the time, and they have to get to their "home" airport.

Re: United airlines overbooking

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:44:40 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
What "legal action" is there to take?
United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.
ITA.
But if this gentleman thought it was within his rights,
enough to be publically dragged,
than I guarantee that thought could be parlayed to legal action.
Didn't say he had a legit case, but he could've channeled that
energy to a lawsuit. Now? He just looks crazy.

People forget that flying is a PRIVILEGE, and NOT a right.

There is NO legal right to fly.

Re: United airlines overbooking

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:46:37 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
@sidsmom wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
What "legal action" is there to take?
United was well within their rights to deny him boarding as per their rules.
ITA.
But if this gentleman thought it was within his rights,
enough to be publically dragged,
than I guarantee that thought could be parlayed to legal action.
Didn't say he had a legit case, but he could've channeled that
energy to a lawsuit. Now? He just looks crazy.
People forget that flying is a PRIVILEGE, and NOT a right.
There is NO legal right to fly.

ITA!

Re: United airlines overbooking

cherry — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:49:15 GMT

My son flies United all the time and he has never had a problem so far

I was just surprise at how badly this all played out

snip

The Courier-Journal reported the man was able to return to the plane and received medical attention for a bloody face and being seemingly disoriented. The flight was delayed for about two hours.

“Everyone was shocked and appalled,” Bridges said. “There were several children on the flight as well that were very upset.”

“Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked,” United said in a statement. “After our team looked for volunteers, one customer refused to leave the aircraft voluntarily and law enforcement was asked to come to the gate.

“We apologize for the overbook situation.”

Re: United airlines overbooking

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:50:34 GMT

@sfnative wrote:
You make plans, follow everything to the rule, then get bounced off of a flight OR the flight is canceled altogether. I've had it with United. Don't book with them any longer. In a period of 15 months on 3 flights out of 3, one was canceled (as we're all sitting in the airport waiting to board - in our case for my MIL's funeral), and the other two they bounced me. I had made my reservations ****** purchase months prior and showed up in plenty of time for seat assignment.

Several years prior to that, I had flown back into SF on United to have shoulder surgery, stayed at my grandmother's for a week, then headed for a United flight to return to our rather new home out of state. On the plane, I had a small bag to stow in the overhead, but couldn't manage it with my right arm in a sling. I tried several times with my left arm, but failed miserably. Having asked a Flight Attendant to help, she look at me with the nastiest look I've ever seen from such a person, turned her nose up in the air and said, "WE don't do THAT sort of thing. DO it yourself." Having completed a 180, she clomped off to be rude to someone else. A kind gentleman from a few rows back had heard the exchange and came to help.

Never United.

Airlines cancel for several reasons.

One being because there is a mechanical malfunction with the plane.

We all want to fly on a plane that is air-worthy, yes?

Also, if the weather is too bad to fly, (thunder storms, low visiblity due to fog), they'll cancel then, too.

Or, just because the weather is noce where you are, doesn't mean that the weather is nice everywhere.

Planes don't just fly from Point "A" to Point "B" and then back to Point "A".

If they are late leaving Point "A", they will be late in arriving at Point "B", which means that they will be late leaving there, and late arriving at Point "C". and so on.

It's a domino effect.

Re: United airlines overbooking

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:52:03 GMT

Flying is slowing becoming

a 'Greyhound Bus w/ Wings'.