Yesterday, on a flight from Chicago to Louisville, the airline overbooked the seats. They offered incentives to get people to take another flight the next day, but no one took them up on it. The airline then told the passengers (already on the full plane) that they needed four seats for airline employees and the computer would select the four at random to deplane. One of the selected passengers refused to get off the plane saying he was a doctor and had patients he needed to see the next day. The airline then called security who physically assaulted this passenger, bloodied him, and then literally dragged him down the aisle and off the plane.
Additional details:
- Videos were taken by other passengers and have been posted on line
- The offending airline was Republic Airlines, operating as a regional carrier for United
- Passengers were offered $800 and a hotel room to take a flight the next day. No one took the deal
My opinions:
- If there were no seats for company employees on any scheduled flights, the airline should have hired a private air-shuttle service to carry the employees
- There is little recourse for this passenger because the terms on the ticket purchase agreement (in fine print) says the airline is allowed to do this
- Airline deregulation has resulted in giving the airlines this type of authority over passengers
Finally, how much abuse will airline passengers take before they revolt against the airline industry? 40 years ago, flying was a pleasure. Since then, the level of service, and level of respect the airlines give their customers has declined all the way to physical brutality.
I will protest with my wallet. I fly occasionally, and will never set foot onto a United airplane again.