Thread: A man wouldn’t leave an overbooked United flight. So he was dragged off, battered

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

They were just doing their job.

Were they though?

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

They were told (I assume)

That's the thing, we don't really know what they were told. That would make a pretty big difference in terms of whether they were doing their job or being idiotic bulleys/corporate lackeys.

According to a man sitting nearby prior to the incident the victim was calm and the victim's wife was sitting a few rows back. The victim got upset when he was manhandled, as would most people if they were subject to an assault.

Originally Posted by Begbie

According to a man sitting nearby prior to the incident the victim was calm and the victim's wife was sitting a few rows back. The victim got upset when he was manhandled, as would most people if they were subject to an assault.

I'm inclined to believe that's what happened.

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

Originally Posted by Cujo

Actually Oscar Munoz wasn't there and had no direct part in this and wouldn't have even heard about it until after the event.
It's the guys who actually dragged him out that people, the media and the lawyers need to go after.

They were just doing their job.

They were told (I assume) a belligerent passenger was not complying and needed to be removed from the plane - again - that goes back to United.

no police are trained to be professionals; their conduct was not

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

Originally Posted by Cujo

Actually Oscar Munoz wasn't there and had no direct part in this and wouldn't have even heard about it until after the event.
It's the guys who actually dragged him out that people, the media and the lawyers need to go after.

They were just doing their job.

You can correct me if i am wrong, but i am kind of sure that "we were only following orders" was trashed as a legitimate defense at the Nuremburg trials.

Watching the press conference with the passenger's family and attorney. United, you best hold onto your ass since the law suit is on.

Sounds good.

Doctor needs reconstructive surgery to treat head injuries from forced plane removal

A doctor who was forcibly dragged off an overbooked plane will have to undergo reconstructive surgery for injuries he sustained during the incident, his lawyer said.
Dr David Dao was only released from hospital on Wednesday night, three days after he was removed from the United flight with such force that he was reportedly knocked out and was left with blood streaming down his face.
The 69-year-old grandfather suffered a "significant concussion", a broken nose for which he must undergo surgery shortly, and also lost two front teeth, his lawyer Tom Demetrio told a press conference today.
"Concussions are sort of an iffy condition," he said. "Ultimately, long term hopefully there will not be any significant repercussions because of that but he is shaken."
Dr Dao's legal team also confirmed that he expects to sue the airline over the incident.

Dr Dao's daughter said the family were 'shocked and sickened' at the assault. Credit: APTN


Mr Demetrio said he had since been contacted with "literally hundreds of tales of woe and mistreatment" from other United passengers and staff since the incident went viral.
The press conference also heard from one of Dr Dao's five children, named Crystal Pepper, who said that they had been "shocked and sickened" to witness footage of the assault on him.
"What happened to my dad should never happen to any human being regardless of the circumstance," she told journalists.
Initially, United chief executive Oscar Munoz apologised for having to "re-accommodate" passengers, but did not address the violence caught on camera.
An internal memo seen by NBC News also appeared to lay the blame on the "disruptive and belligerent" Dr Dao.
But following days of sustained anger and an almost $1 billion plunge in the company's share prices, he issued a third statement offering his "deepest apologies", and saying it was "never too late to do the right thing".
The Chicago Department of Aviation said three of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave.

Doctor needs reconstructive surgery to treat head injuries from forced plane removal - ITV News

United are going to get slaughtered...

United Airlines passenger ordeal 'worse than fall of Saigon'



A man dragged screaming off a United Airlines flight described his ordeal as "more horrifying" than his experiences in the Vietnam War, his lawyer says.

Attorneys for Dr David Dao, who lost two front teeth and suffered a broken nose and "significant" concussion in the incident, say they will sue.

His daughter, Crystal Dao Pepper, told the news conference in Chicago they are "sickened" by his treatment.

Video of the incident has been watched millions of times online.

Law enforcement officials dragged Dr Dao off Sunday evening's Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, flight because it was fully booked, and the airline wanted four passengers to make way for staff members.

The Vietnamese-American physician had refused to leave, saying he needed to go home to see his patients.

Lawyer Thomas Demetrio told journalists on Thursday: "He [Dr Dao] said that he left Vietnam in 1975 when Saigon fell and he was on a boat and he said he was terrified.
"He said that being dragged down the aisle was more horrifying and harrowing than what he experienced when leaving Vietnam."

Ms Dao Pepper, who lives in suburban Chicago, said: "What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being, regardless of the circumstance.
"We were horrified and shocked and sickened to learn what happened to him and to see what happened to him."

Dr Dao's lawyers have filed an emergency court request for the airline to preserve evidence ahead of a hearing next Monday morning.

The filing with an Illinois state court demands that United Airlines and the city of Chicago preserve all surveillance videos, cockpit voice recordings, passenger and crew lists related to the flight.

United Airlines said it would refund the ticket costs of all passengers on Sunday's flight.

Dr Dao was released on Wednesday night from a Chicago hospital, his lawyer said, adding that he planned to have reconstructive surgery.

Mr Demetrio, and a second lawyer for Mr Dao, said that neither they nor the Dao family had heard from United Airlines yet.

"For a long time airlines, United in particular, have bullied us," Mr Demetrio told the press conference.

"We want respect and we want dignity, that's it! Not a big deal."

The lawyer said he did not believe Mr Dao's race played a factor, despite an email he had received suggesting he was "the modern day, Asian Rosa Parks", a reference to the civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus in 1955.

...
United Airlines passenger ordeal 'worse than fall of Saigon' - BBC News


All I want for Christmas is me two front teeth...

....and $<XX million> compensation ...

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

So you're another one who will bend over and take it up the arse when some corporate lackey decides their profits are more important than honouring the contract they accepted when you paid them.

You pussy.

Heh...Don't get any ideas, Harry...

So far, there's been no evidence the wee doctor was raped...

Originally Posted by Troy

A man dragged screaming off a United Airlines flight described his ordeal as "more horrifying" than his experiences in the Vietnam War, his lawyer says.

Oh gawd...Here we go...But it was to be expected...Is there a video of the "broken nose and lost teeth" action?...Still haven't seen any direct "hits"...Just curious...

I suppose "reconstructive surgery" means fixing his broken nose...Not trying to belittle his trauma, but the sensationalism is too much...69-year-old grandfather, no less...Looks like this part of his history will be of benefit...Might cancel out the "homo stuff"...

Fookin' hell...Stay calm...It will all end happily...Except for the PTSD stuff...I mean, this poor bloke will never get over this...Ever...

Originally Posted by Cujo

Originally Posted by Lancelot

Originally Posted by Cold Pizza

Originally Posted by Cujo

Actually Oscar Munoz wasn't there and had no direct part in this and wouldn't have even heard about it until after the event.
It's the guys who actually dragged him out that people, the media and the lawyers need to go after.

They were just doing their job.

They were told (I assume) a belligerent passenger was not complying and needed to be removed from the plane - again - that goes back to United.

no police are trained to be professionals; their conduct was not

Of course their conduct was not professional because as you said "no police are trained to be professional".
But seriously, I don't think it would be hard to find many, many examples of unprofessional behaviour by police.

I left out the comma in my reply. Pizza said the guy needed to be removed; I replied "No, police are trained to be professionals" Of course you can find examples of unprofessional police conduct. So what? You are not debating, just looking to argue. Please send me more negative repos like your last one: "Your arguments are weak"

Originally Posted by Troy

United Airlines said it would refund the ticket costs of all passengers on Sunday's flight.

Branson would give them all free flights for life.

Originally Posted by Troy

"What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being, regardless of the circumstance."

I can think of several good reasons for that kind of treatment of another human being, but un-assing a seat for some goddamn United employees isn't one.

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Originally Posted by Troy

United Airlines said it would refund the ticket costs of all passengers on Sunday's flight.

Branson would give them all free flights for life.

What's the ethics/law on the defendant in an upcoming law suit paying off the witnesses?

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

Originally Posted by Troy

A man dragged screaming off a United Airlines flight described his ordeal as "more horrifying" than his experiences in the Vietnam War, his lawyer says.

Oh gawd...Here we go...But it was to be expected...Is there a video of the "broken nose and lost teeth" action?...Still haven't seen any direct "hits"...Just curious...

I suppose "reconstructive surgery" means fixing his broken nose...Not trying to belittle his trauma, but the sensationalism is too much...

You are trying to belittle his trauma.

In addition to a broken nose, he lost two teeth.

If someone did that in a different environment, they'd be looking at jail time.

United's lawyers are going to be seriously tapping the company contingency fund and so they should.

If it gets to court they're looking at a whole shitload more bad publicity.

General consensus is that it's probably going to cost Munoz his job.

I would imagine the shareholders will also want to know what the Crisis Management Team got up to, if it was even used.

Breaking news...Canadian stung by scorpion aboard United Airlines flight returning home to Calgary from a Mexican vacation...

Shit just won't stop for United...

At least he didn't scream like a bitch...

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

In addition to a broken nose, he lost two teeth.

Tomorrow they'll find that he pulled them himself in the airport "john" before re-boarding...

Clever little dentist, wasn't he?...The man's falling apart more every day...Why didn't we hear of this earlier?...Was there a video of any "battering?"...Still haven't seen any actual punching or such...

Totally disagree with the way it was handled, but the drama is "way over the top"...

You just know his lawyer will have him "shed a limb" or lose function in one of his kidneys before the next sunrise...

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

You are trying to belittle his trauma.

Well, he's doing a fair job of that himself...But I admit I'm not helping him much...Did you like the part of this "being worse than the Vietnam War?"...

Wonder what the fook he was doing then while everybody was dying...Seriously...

Can't help feeling he's "playin' the doctor card"...Right from the start...My old man got away with so much shit like that "in the line of duty"...Speeding tickets, court cases, drunk driving (Heh..."drink-driving" for you wankers over the pond), and so on...

They feel like "God Almighty" and that they should "get their way"...And they're right, in a way, don't you think?...

Was it stated that it was all bullshit about him having "business at the hospital" the next day?...

The cops would let my old man go because he was racing to a "sick patient"...

A broken nose and front teeth gone, now...How many "days" later?...

What else could possibly go wrong?...

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

You are trying to belittle his trauma.

Well, he's doing a fair job of that himself...But I admit I'm not helping him much...Did you like the part of this "being worse than the Vietnam War?"...

Wonder what the fook he was doing then while everybody was dying...Seriously...

Can't help feeling he's "playin' the doctor card"...Right from the start...My old man got away with so much shit like that "in the line of duty"...Speeding tickets, court cases, drunk driving (Heh..."drink-driving" for you wankers over the pond), and so on...

They feel like "God Almighty" and that they should "get their way"...And they're right, in a way, don't you think?...

Was it stated that it was all bullshit about him having "business at the hospital" the next day?...

The cops would let my old man go because he was racing to a "sick patient"...

A broken nose and front teeth gone, now...How many "days" later?...

What else could possibly go wrong?...

Don't confuse the inevitable lawyer bullshit with the physical damage inflicted on him.

The fact that you haven't personally seen the injuries being inflicted doesn't mean lots of other witnesses haven't.

Yes it's America, and he'll get way more than he would in the UK, but all I can say is that United should have taken that much more care to avoid this.

They deserve everything they get.

Now isn't this interesting? Tell me United wouldn't have got four volunteers if they'd gone to the maximum?

One Delta passenger turned a bad experience at New York City's Laguardia Airport into a rare lucrative opportunity this past weekend and made $11,000 off of repeated flight delays.

After storms plagued Delta Air Lines with system-wide delays and cancelations last week, Laura Begley Bloom and her family headed to the airport on Friday for a planned long weekend trip to Fort Lauderdale, hoping that the worst of the disruptions had already passed.

But after many hours and delays, Delta gate agents began asking for volunteers to give up seats on the Blooms’ overbooked flight, which already had 60 standby passengers stranded from cancelations over the previous two days.

At first, Bloom says she ignored the offer, but once an announcement for $900 per seat was made, her husband approached the agent to say that he, his wife, and their 4-year old daughter would be willing to give up their seats for $1,500 a piece. The agent made a counteroffer of $1,350, which is the maximum amount an airline is able to compensate a passenger under U.S. law.

They were also told they would be re-booked on a flight leaving LaGuardia Airport early the next day. So the Blooms went home with $4,050 in gift cards, not bad considering that they’d originally paid $650 for each of the three seats.

But when Bloom went to check-in for their flights online Saturday morning, she saw that their new flight had already been delayed.

“I turned to my husband and said, ‘Cha-ching!,’" Bloom said. By the time they got to the airport, the airline had already started asking for volunteers. Again, they waited as the offers increased from $300… $600…$900…$1,000...and finally, $1,300 per seat, when they jumped and collected another $3,900 in gift cards.

The Delta agents also threw in lunch at $15 each and $50 in round-trip taxi fare for the ride home.

The gate agents began looking into re-book them on a Sunday flight, but when they later heard from other passengers that flights were overbooked until Tuesday April 11, Bloom and her husband decided that they would volunteer to cancel the trip entirely if they were further compensated. "We were shattered. At this point, we had spent another full day at the airport. So we offered to give up the trip altogether," she said.

“The offer was met with smiles and another $1,000 per person in advance compensation. Delta sweetened the deal by refunding the cost of the three plane tickets,” Bloom said.

In total, the Blooms received nearly $11,000 — all entirely in gift cards. Delta will send an e-mail to volunteers with a link to a website, where they can use a code to choose the type of gift cards they wish to receive (American Express, Target, and Macy’s, for example).

A one-time deputy editor for Travel + Leisure and the former editor-in-chief of Yahoo Travel, Bloom currently works as a content strategist and wrote about the unexpected payday in her travel column for Forbes. “I’ve received a bunch of angry e-mails from people who said I am opportunistic, and another one said that I’m ‘tone deaf.’”

“I felt a bit guilty making so much money off the situation, but other passengers pointed out that we were freeing up seats for people who really needed to get somewhere,” Bloom said. “Many passengers actually thanked us for doing this.”

“We missed our vacation. We’re bummed about that. But I’ve had my share of travel nightmares over the years,” she told T+L. “I’ve had many situations where I’ve had to pay for my own hotel room and unplanned car rentals, so I don’t really feel that bad about making money this once.”

On both Friday and Saturday, the Blooms say they also bought lunch and bottles of water for the overworked Delta agents, one of whom had come to work on his day off to help with the chaos. She says many of the Delta employees had been working for 12+ hours with no break and were not able to leave the gate.

Check out the original post, where Bloom also provides advice on the best ways to negotiate the seat volunteering process.

How One Woman Made $11,000 Off of Delta Flight Delays | Travel + Leisure