Originally Posted by
Malcolm Schweizer
THIS HAPPENED TO ME!!! Well- I mean getting bumped- not getting carted off screaming!
First, let me just give you a little background. I have flown 836,948 miles with American Airlines to date, although had I not waited to join the rewards program, that would be well over a million. I fly 100,000 miles per year, mostly with American, but you name it, I have likely flown it.
I have been asked to get off a plane when I had already been seated. I simply said, "Okay, no worries," got up, and went to the counter to be rebooked. I had purchased my ticket last-minute because of a last-minute meeting. I really needed to be at that meeting, and it really screwed up my day to not make the flight, but life is too short to waste time worrying about uncontrollables. I won't mention the airline, but it was NOT American. I did buy my ticket last-minute, and I realize that airlines have to overbook because people simply don't show up for the flight. They took the last purchased ticket and booted him- that was me on that day.
I have chartered aircraft before, and I know the cost- it's about $10,000 per flight hour to fly a large jet. That's cost, not retail, although fuel prices have changed and that will change with fuel. That's also for a cargo flight, so a passenger flight would be much higher. When people no-show for flights, it's a big hit to the airline. It may be uncontrollable- missed connections- or it may be controllable- just didn't get there on time. Either way, the airline is trying to fill seats. Don't like it? Okay- they can start charging more per seat. It's a catch 22. They overbook flights that typically go underutilized. THAT SAID- I researched this story, and apparently this flight was NOT overbooked, but it was a crew staging issue.
When I fly 100,000 miles in one year, I get Executive Platinum for a year. That allows me perks, one of which is I can book a flight 24 hours in advance, and am guaranteed a seat, even if the flight is fully booked. Yes, that's a risk for the airline, but in turn they get all of my business unless I just can't avoid it. I can't sometimes, and that's when I was flying another airline where I have no premiums and I was booted off the plane after being sat down. I simply made the cut. No worries- no screaming, no entitlement- I just got up, and enjoyed the unexpected layover. I even laughed, thinking maybe someone high up in their rewards program used the same perk I used! Perhaps it was karma.
Apparently United had a crew on overtime due to unexpected weather delays, and by FAA rules, that means they can't fly. They were probably flying in another crew to replace them. They had a choice to make- piss off 200 passengers downline because the flight has to layover a whole day while the crew gets their FAA required crew rest, or send another crew. They sent another crew, which, if all went well, would have inconvenienced only a few people, and usually people take the voucher. I have taken vouchers as small as $500 and as large as $900 when I didn't just HAVE to be somewhere, although usually I do need to make a meeting. Their decision was logical. They should have gone higher with the voucher offer, so I will discredit them for that. That said- when you buy a ticket, it clearly states that you are not guaranteed a seat and things may change. Sorry, but that's how it goes. What caused this incident was actually rules by the FAA that are put in place for your safety. Pilots can only fly a limited number of hours in a row. If they are on "illegal overtime," They have to layover, and another crew must be flown in. So, the airline was flying in another crew so that unsuspecting passengers aren't buzzing around at 30,000 feet with a sleepy crew at the helm.
The internet is quick to judge based on a 30 second video that doesn't show the whole thing. It did appear obvious that there was some rough-handling by the security or authorities or whoever they were that took the guy off the plane. Apparently they were suspended pending investigation, and certainly it warrants an investigation. That said, what was the initial cause of this incident? The guy felt entitled and didn't want to get off the plane, even after the airport authorities told him he had to get off the plane. He resisted, although the video wasn't clear to what extent. If he got physical, then he deserved what he got. If not, then perhaps he has a case- I'll let the court decide that. Someone here said he was removed by United Airlines security people- I don't buy that. They looked like US Air Marshalls to me. I have seen them arrest someone when the flight landed because the guy refused to turn his phone off. He was a real jerk about it, so the flight attendant gave him a last warning- "Turn it off, or I will have the authorities alerted." He thought he was above the law. When we landed, they announced to wait in our seats while the US Marshalls boarded the aircraft. The walked up to him, and said, "Come with us," and it was priceless to see the look on his face- I think he was about to cry. At least he got to be the first one off the plane.
So- someone on this thread made a comment "Let me see you politely get off the plane." Well, I didn't get a video, but I did just that- more than once, actually. The other times I was on a standby ticket, so I had less of a reason to complain. At least once it was a full-fare ticket- in fact, I paid MORE because of the last-minute booking, and I politely followed instructions and got off the plane.
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