United Airlines is dealing with another public relations headache after a passenger was shown on camera being dragged off a flight in Chicago that was apparently “overbooked.” The incident happened at O'Hare Airport Sunday on a plane that was headed to Louisville, Kentucky.
United management reportedly informed passengers of the “overbooking” of seats and asked for volunteers to come off the flight. When that didn’t happen – they then selected passengers at random. Horrified passengers looked on – and filmed – as the still unidentified 69-year-old man was forcibly removed and bloodied up by several security officers. Come to find out that the “overbooking,” was the company wanting to fly a crew to another destination.
Here’s where it gets really interesting. The CEO of United Airlines is calling the passenger that was forcibly removed from a plane in Chicago yesterday "disruptive and belligerent." That comment flies in face of what witnesses reported – that the man simply refused to give up his seat, saying he paid for it – that he was a doctor and had patients to see the next morning.
In a letter obtained by CNBC Monday, CEO Oscar Munoz claimed that the employees "followed established procedures." Munoz told employees that the man "refused to comply" and that the officers were "left with no choice." The CEO says although employees can use this as a learning opportunity, he "stands behind all of you." Who no one's standing by is the O'Hare Police. The main officer involved has been put on leave - and it's being reported that no one from the airline blessed that kind of force to be used.
- In an earlier statement to the public, Munoz said it's an upsetting event to everyone at the airline. He said, quote, "I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers." He added that the company is reaching out to the passenger to resolve the situation.
Source: ABC News
By the way, you don’t have many rights when it comes to overbooked flights-
Thanks to the tiny print that most of us don't read we can tell you this:
- Airlines do have the power to decide who leaves a plane if volunteers do not comes forward.
- Those with disabilities, unaccompanied minors under 18, and or unaccompanied kids between ages five and fifteen using the unaccompanied minors service are “protected.”
- You get compensation if you are booted off. The Department of Transportation does have clear guidance about compensation due to fliers "involuntarily denied boarding," and that can pay off in the case of a significant inconvenience. For example, an involuntarily bumped traveler who arrives to his final destination more than four hours late is entitled to an amount worth 400% of his one-way fare (capped at a maximum of $1,350).
Other than that, flyers have no rights. Don’t be surprised if the rules change now, though. Always read the small print before flying.
Source: USA Today