gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
|
Post by gsquaredmom on Apr 13, 2017 3:45:00 GMT
I've been following the news but was wondering if the Doctor was traveling alone or with someone? If you are required to give up your seat, but your travel partner is not, does the travel partner also get compensated if they get off the plane with you? United is going to end paying a lot for this. They should have not let people board until they got the seat situation taken care of. United will probably settle out of court with the doctor, and they will probably lose a lot of customers. I think his wife was with him. Don't know if she was offered to volunteer with him. He has at least two lawyers. Good for him. And I hope he can work again after that head injury. No guarantees with concussion recovery. And the airline is reportedly offering compensation to all passengers.
|
|
|
Post by pastlifepea on Apr 13, 2017 12:08:03 GMT
Okay, so I don't really understand why the law enforcement people who actually went on the plane and removed Dr. Dao are getting fired. While what they did was horrible, weren't they simply doing what they were asked to do? Flight crew contacts them and says "Get this guy off the plane, forcibly if need be." I kind of feel like they are being made scapegoats for decisions that were made by others.
I could be wrong, and often am, so maybe some of you could share your perspectives on this aspect of the debacle.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:22:46 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 12:20:26 GMT
Okay, so I don't really understand why the law enforcement people who actually went on the plane and removed Dr. Dao are getting fired. While what they did was horrible, weren't they simply doing what they were asked to do? Flight crew contacts them and says "Get this guy off the plane, forcibly if need be." I kind of feel like they are being made scapegoats for decisions that were made by others. I could be wrong, and often am, so maybe some of you could share your perspectives on this aspect of the debacle. You need to watch them slam his head into an armrest. Even "by force" does not mean "treat him like a meat bag" - care should be taken to try not to injure the person - especially an unarmed civilian just sitting on a plane. Here is a video that shows his head slamming into an armrest:
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:22:46 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 12:51:43 GMT
Details of another exemplary situation for United: "Fearns needed to return early so he paid about $1,000 for a full-fare, first-class ticket to Los Angeles. He boarded the aircraft at Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, took his seat and enjoyed a complimentary glass of orange juice while awaiting takeoff. Then, as Fearns tells it, a United employee rushed onto the aircraft and informed him that he had to get off the plane. “I asked why,” he told me. “They said the flight was overfull.” Fearns, like the doctor at the center of that viral video from Sunday night, held his ground. He was already on the plane, already seated. He shouldn’t have to disembark. “That’s when they told me they needed the seat for somebody more important who came at the last minute,” Fearns said. “They said they have a priority list and this other person was higher on the list than me.” Fearns requested a full refund for his flight from Kauai and asked for United to make a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. This is how rich guys do it. He received an email back from a United “corporate customer care specialist” apologizing that Fearns apparently had an unpleasant experience. But, no, forget about a refund. As for that charitable donation, what are you kidding? A hard no on that. Instead, the service rep offered to refund Fearns the difference between his first-class ticket and an economy ticket — about a week later, as if that wasn’t the first thing they should do in a situation like this — and to give him a $500 credit for a future trip on the airline." www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.html
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 13, 2017 12:58:35 GMT
Details of another exemplary situation for United: "Fearns needed to return early so he paid about $1,000 for a full-fare, first-class ticket to Los Angeles. He boarded the aircraft at Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, took his seat and enjoyed a complimentary glass of orange juice while awaiting takeoff. Then, as Fearns tells it, a United employee rushed onto the aircraft and informed him that he had to get off the plane. “I asked why,” he told me. “They said the flight was overfull.” Fearns, like the doctor at the center of that viral video from Sunday night, held his ground. He was already on the plane, already seated. He shouldn’t have to disembark. “That’s when they told me they needed the seat for somebody more important who came at the last minute,” Fearns said. “They said they have a priority list and this other person was higher on the list than me.” Fearns requested a full refund for his flight from Kauai and asked for United to make a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. This is how rich guys do it. He received an email back from a United “corporate customer care specialist” apologizing that Fearns apparently had an unpleasant experience. But, no, forget about a refund. As for that charitable donation, what are you kidding? A hard no on that. Instead, the service rep offered to refund Fearns the difference between his first-class ticket and an economy ticket — about a week later, as if that wasn’t the first thing they should do in a situation like this — and to give him a $500 credit for a future trip on the airline." www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.htmlHe wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:22:46 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 13:04:45 GMT
Details of another exemplary situation for United: "Fearns needed to return early so he paid about $1,000 for a full-fare, first-class ticket to Los Angeles. He boarded the aircraft at Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, took his seat and enjoyed a complimentary glass of orange juice while awaiting takeoff. Then, as Fearns tells it, a United employee rushed onto the aircraft and informed him that he had to get off the plane. “I asked why,” he told me. “They said the flight was overfull.” Fearns, like the doctor at the center of that viral video from Sunday night, held his ground. He was already on the plane, already seated. He shouldn’t have to disembark. “That’s when they told me they needed the seat for somebody more important who came at the last minute,” Fearns said. “They said they have a priority list and this other person was higher on the list than me.” Fearns requested a full refund for his flight from Kauai and asked for United to make a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. This is how rich guys do it. He received an email back from a United “corporate customer care specialist” apologizing that Fearns apparently had an unpleasant experience. But, no, forget about a refund. As for that charitable donation, what are you kidding? A hard no on that. Instead, the service rep offered to refund Fearns the difference between his first-class ticket and an economy ticket — about a week later, as if that wasn’t the first thing they should do in a situation like this — and to give him a $500 credit for a future trip on the airline." www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.html He wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000. No one said he was. The story clearly states he was bumped from his first-class seat and was "re-accommodated" into economy - even though he paid for a first-class seat. No idea if it's "hinky" or not, just reporting what he claims via the LAT article.
|
|
|
Post by pondrunner on Apr 13, 2017 13:05:18 GMT
Details of another exemplary situation for United: "Fearns needed to return early so he paid about $1,000 for a full-fare, first-class ticket to Los Angeles. He boarded the aircraft at Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, took his seat and enjoyed a complimentary glass of orange juice while awaiting takeoff. Then, as Fearns tells it, a United employee rushed onto the aircraft and informed him that he had to get off the plane. “I asked why,” he told me. “They said the flight was overfull.” Fearns, like the doctor at the center of that viral video from Sunday night, held his ground. He was already on the plane, already seated. He shouldn’t have to disembark. “That’s when they told me they needed the seat for somebody more important who came at the last minute,” Fearns said. “They said they have a priority list and this other person was higher on the list than me.” Fearns requested a full refund for his flight from Kauai and asked for United to make a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. This is how rich guys do it. He received an email back from a United “corporate customer care specialist” apologizing that Fearns apparently had an unpleasant experience. But, no, forget about a refund. As for that charitable donation, what are you kidding? A hard no on that. Instead, the service rep offered to refund Fearns the difference between his first-class ticket and an economy ticket — about a week later, as if that wasn’t the first thing they should do in a situation like this — and to give him a $500 credit for a future trip on the airline." www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.htmlHe wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000. Out of curiosity I just looked on united website and found first class HNL LAX one way ranging $725-1250
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 13, 2017 13:14:48 GMT
He wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000. Out of curiosity I just looked on united website and found first class HNL LAX one way ranging $725-1250 Perhaps they're having sale - that's a pretty crazy low fare for that route, especially last minute.
|
|
oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
|
Post by oh yvonne on Apr 13, 2017 13:28:17 GMT
Okay, so I don't really understand why the law enforcement people who actually went on the plane and removed Dr. Dao are getting fired. While what they did was horrible, weren't they simply doing what they were asked to do? Flight crew contacts them and says "Get this guy off the plane, forcibly if need be." I kind of feel like they are being made scapegoats for decisions that were made by others. I could be wrong, and often am, so maybe some of you could share your perspectives on this aspect of the debacle. You need to watch them slam his head into an armrest. Even "by force" does not mean "treat him like a meat bag" - care should be taken to try not to injure the person - especially an unarmed civilian just sitting on a plane. Here is a video that shows his head slamming into an armrest: Something is wrong with this video. Watch the 13/14 second mark, something is edited out. Where do you see them slamming his head into the armrest? And why is a part edited out?
|
|
|
Post by pondrunner on Apr 13, 2017 13:28:53 GMT
Out of curiosity I just looked on united website and found first class HNL LAX one way ranging $725-1250 Perhaps they're having sale - that's a pretty crazy low fare for that route, especially last minute. In my experience you can often pay a very reasonable fare in FC at the last minute because they make more money if they sell it rather than courtesy upgrade it. I flew my MIL from CLT to SEA first class for $480, because I bought her a ticket while she was standing in the airport trying to get on any available flight. That was less than any published EC fare on that route at any time, the agent at the desk said they often sell last minute FC fares at a discount.
|
|
|
Post by QueSeraSera on Apr 13, 2017 13:54:32 GMT
He wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000. This was a one-way not round-trip ticket.
|
|
|
Post by pastlifepea on Apr 13, 2017 14:37:37 GMT
Okay, so I don't really understand why the law enforcement people who actually went on the plane and removed Dr. Dao are getting fired. While what they did was horrible, weren't they simply doing what they were asked to do? Flight crew contacts them and says "Get this guy off the plane, forcibly if need be." I kind of feel like they are being made scapegoats for decisions that were made by others. I could be wrong, and often am, so maybe some of you could share your perspectives on this aspect of the debacle. You need to watch them slam his head into an armrest. Even "by force" does not mean "treat him like a meat bag" - care should be taken to try not to injure the person - especially an unarmed civilian just sitting on a plane. Here is a video that shows his head slamming into an armrest: Thank you for offering your perspective. In all honesty, I haven't and probably won't watch these videos in their entirety. I can't stand seeing anyone/thing being hurt. I saw a few seconds of one and all I could think was what if this was my dad? I totally accept that without watching the whole video it's difficult to make any judgement, which was why I posed the question. I am just highly suspicious that United is going to do ANYTHING to try to blame shift and somehow make this seem like they are not totally responsible for creating the situation.
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 13, 2017 14:39:25 GMT
that video is very disturbing to actually watch... I couldn't even watch the whole thing, after he hits his head I had to shut it off. They pull him out of his seat SO forcefully that he's thrown against the armrest of the seat across the aisle- that's where he hits his head. And it happens around the 12 second mark. (fyi, oh yvonne )
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Apr 13, 2017 14:44:25 GMT
In all honesty, I haven't and probably won't watch these videos in their entirety. I can't stand seeing anyone/thing being hurt. I saw a few seconds of one and all I could think was what if this was my dad? But yet you chose to include the video in your quote so it shows up again on the last page. I'm tired of seeing it as well and thought why are people still posting the damn video?
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 13, 2017 15:28:32 GMT
He wasn't taken off the plane, he was bumped from first class into economy. His story's a bit hinky though, as there's no way a first class, full fare ticket between Hawaii and LA is $1,000. This was a one-way not round-trip ticket. I saw that - and I'm not sure what fares you're seeing pondrunner (perhaps the mixed cabin or non-refundable fares - not a full fare ticket?) I just put in one way, non-restricted first class for LIH-LAX and see $1900-$4,000 for April. Is it possible - sure - with crazy airline pricing anything's possible. But $1,000 is definitely a great price for that route as there's a fair number of people who will pay for a first class ticket on that route because of the length and honeymooner/anniversary people. TBH, I just don't find his story compelling irregardless if he actually paid $1,000 for a first class ticket home. He's clearly looking for his 15 minutes as he contacted the media. It's not even a case of overbooking - mechanical trouble resulted in an aircraft change that had fewer first class seats. Someone was going to be bumped into economy. They offered to refund him the difference between his first class ticket and the economy ticket and first class plus a $500 voucher. He spent the ride home in coach - this just doesn't hit my outrage meter.
|
|
|
Post by Judie in Oz on Apr 13, 2017 15:45:43 GMT
I've just seen parts of the news conference with the lawyer. Apparently Dr Dao has two broken front teeth and a broken nose. I think United is going to be made to pay for what they endorsed, not just with lost revenue but a huge payout.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:22:46 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 15:50:27 GMT
Is anyone watching the live press conference with Dao's attorney? It's strange.
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 13, 2017 16:11:14 GMT
Is anyone watching the live press conference with Dao's attorney? It's strange. How so? I didn't see it.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:22:46 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 16:41:01 GMT
Is anyone watching the live press conference with Dao's attorney? It's strange. How so? I didn't see it. he was disheveled looking, not well spoken and generally looked and acted like a third rate ambulance chaser. He made some stupid joke about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles that there was complete silence to. He would not be the attorney I would use to go against a major corporation.
|
|
|
Post by pastlifepea on Apr 13, 2017 16:48:57 GMT
In all honesty, I haven't and probably won't watch these videos in their entirety. I can't stand seeing anyone/thing being hurt. I saw a few seconds of one and all I could think was what if this was my dad? But yet you chose to include the video in your quote so it shows up again on the last page. I'm tired of seeing it as well and thought why are people still posting the damn video? I apologize for that. It's simply a habit to quote someone to whom I am responding and it just didn't occur to me to edit it out of the quoted response from another member who posted it. I edited and removed it from the other member's post that I quoted.
|
|
|
Post by dnkmmw on Apr 13, 2017 16:56:27 GMT
You need to watch them slam his head into an armrest. Even "by force" does not mean "treat him like a meat bag" - care should be taken to try not to injure the person - especially an unarmed civilian just sitting on a plane. Something is wrong with this video. Watch the 13/14 second mark, something is edited out. Where do you see them slamming his head into the armrest? And why is a part edited out? It took me a few times to see it. It's actually his face that gets slammed against the armrest that's across the isle from where his seat was.
|
|
twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
|
Post by twinsmomfla99 on Apr 13, 2017 17:30:11 GMT
This was a one-way not round-trip ticket. I saw that - and I'm not sure what fares you're seeing pondrunner (perhaps the mixed cabin or non-refundable fares - not a full fare ticket?) I just put in one way, non-restricted first class for LIH-LAX and see $1900-$4,000 for April. Is it possible - sure - with crazy airline pricing anything's possible. But $1,000 is definitely a great price for that route as there's a fair number of people who will pay for a first class ticket on that route because of the length and honeymooner/anniversary people. TBH, I just don't find his story compelling irregardless if he actually paid $1,000 for a first class ticket home. He's clearly looking for his 15 minutes as he contacted the media. It's not even a case of overbooking - mechanical trouble resulted in an aircraft change that had fewer first class seats. Someone was going to be bumped into economy. They offered to refund him the difference between his first class ticket and the economy ticket and first class plus a $500 voucher. He spent the ride home in coach - this just doesn't hit my outrage meter. He had to fight to be reseated in economy, and it took another week of arguing with them to be get them to agree to a refund of the difference between first class and economy. I also wonder if his whole ticket cost $1000 or whether that is the amount he paid to upgrade the return ticket he already had when he decided to fly back early.
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Apr 13, 2017 17:46:31 GMT
|
|
cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
|
Post by cycworker on Apr 13, 2017 18:18:02 GMT
|
|
smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,815
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
|
Post by smartypants71 on Apr 13, 2017 18:59:08 GMT
This woman's tone is very off-putting and as a pilot's wife, she should be more outraged.
|
|
|
Post by angel97701 on Apr 13, 2017 19:02:43 GMT
I was about to post the same link! The media is giving us just enough information to keep their ratings up. I do not agree with the handling of the situation from either side. Two wrongs do not make a right! They should have made those selections prior to boarding, etc. Dr. Dao should have complied but instead became belligerent. If you read the link in its entirety there are many things that are mandated by FEDERAL LAW that many of the flying public skipped reading in the fine print. United (or it's affliate) should have made this statement as part of the announcement saying that they were going to have the computer select the people who needed to leave the aircraft. What concerns me is that other will try this same behavior and will be allowed to cost the rest of us who fly more money in the long run! Several years ago when flying out of PDX (Portland, OR) several hundred flight had to be delayed. Some even had to deplane their passengers who were still at the gates. WHY? because ONE person who was in a hurry went through the exit of security area instead of going through security. So thousands of people were inconvenienced due to the behavior of one person!
|
|
|
Post by debmast on Apr 13, 2017 19:09:08 GMT
I find myself more drawn to the faces of the other people in the video and the look of horror on their faces while this happening.
|
|
|
Post by *KAS* on Apr 13, 2017 19:23:45 GMT
OK, last post, but do you know what really chaps my ass? THERE WAS AN EASY SOLUTION. Super easy. Just keep raising the amount of compensation offered until somebody bit. I'm no economist, but I do know that everybody on that airplane had a price they would accept for giving up their seat. EVERYBODY. All the crew had to do was find that price. It would have been a quick solution and everybody would have ended up happy. So glad I hardly ever fly anywhere. Yes COLD HARD CASH, not a voucher, cash! I'm sorry United, and any other airline, a voucher is not cash. That's really not even necessary. I mean maybe cash is necessary for SOME people but not for everybody. As I mentioned, $1,000 voucher usually is about the time they have to turn volunteers away b/c they have too many. If I don't *have* to be somewhere the next morning, I'd accept an $800 voucher + overnight accommodations without questions. Especially since there's a good chance my company paid for my flight, so I'm essentially "making" $800 to use on personal vacation! As soon as they hit $800 I get in line while I work to find out if I can make it work. I'm surprised they didn't get 4 with $800, but I'd almost guarantee they would with $1,000.
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 13, 2017 19:38:31 GMT
Yes COLD HARD CASH, not a voucher, cash! I'm sorry United, and any other airline, a voucher is not cash. That's really not even necessary. I mean maybe cash is necessary for SOME people but not for everybody. As I mentioned, $1,000 voucher usually is about the time they have to turn volunteers away b/c they have too many. If I don't *have* to be somewhere the next morning, I'd accept an $800 voucher + overnight accommodations without questions. Especially since there's a good chance my company paid for my flight, so I'm essentially "making" $800 to use on personal vacation! As soon as they hit $800 I get in line while I work to find out if I can make it work. I'm surprised they didn't get 4 with $800, but I'd almost guarantee they would with $1,000. I agree that it's rare for them to need to exceed $800 (frankly they usually have sufficient volunteers at $400). It's really dependent on route though. I mentioned a flight where they did throw in an AmEx gift card as people weren't volunteering. Flight to Orlando - way too many families who wanted no part of a delay. I think it also hurt that it was one of the smaller regional carriers - statistics show that they're much, much more likely to involuntarily bump passengers versus the major airlines. I'm sure it's because their flights aren't as often which inconveniences people PLUS there's a lot of concern about that subsequent flight. You could literally offer people a $200 voucher and they'll agree to be bumped from SFO to LAX - I've seen it many times. People know there are 20 more flights that day and they really will be able to get there on a subsequent flight. A flight to Louisville where they are already saying it's going to be almost 24 hours.... you start to worry that the flight tomorrow could be delayed or cancelled and you're stuck in Chicago indefinitely.
|
|
|
Post by dnkmmw on Apr 13, 2017 19:45:03 GMT
This woman's tone is very off-putting and as a pilot's wife, she should be more outraged. I agree with that. I also dislike how she blamed the doctor for getting back on the plane. He had his head bashed, which broke his teeth and nose. This likely caused a concussion and/or shock that very likely led to him being disoriented. I think most people could see, when he got back on the plane, he was bloodied and distraught and to blame him for getting back on the plane is pretty pathetic. Yes, there are many federal regulations involved in air travel, but that doesn't mean that there weren't other options. Yes, United was legally within their rights to bump the doctor but, again, there were other options. No, United didn't "touch" the man, they just ordered him removed from the flight however necessary. I also think that had this man voluntarily missed his flight and not been able to see patients that could also have had terrible ramifications. How many people are understanding when their doctor misses an appointment?
|
|