Recently United Airlines has been stirring some trouble with the treatment of their passengers. A few days ago, a 69 year old man name David Dao was dragged off of the flight to make room for another passenger. It is being reported that David Dao, a doctor, has suffered many injuries such as a concussion, broken nose, damaged sinuses as well as tooth loss. After this debacle, David Dao has decided to pursue a lawsuit and he has every right to.
So what exactly happened?
It is still unclear to many people what happened prior to Dr. Dao’s incident. At the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a flight was taking off for Louisville in which Dr. Dao and many other passengers were seated. The flight was oversold but had to make room for United flight crew members who had to reach Louisville for an assignment. United had offered $400 as well as a hotel to make up for any inconveniences for anyone who volunteered to get off. After their first offer, no one had volunteered so they increased it to $800. In order to accommodate the United crew, four passengers were selected to be removed off the flight. One of these passengers was David Dao, a physician who had to be at work the next day. He refused to get off since the other flight would reach much later causing him to be late to work. Because he refused, United had decided on a course of action. It was to call the Chicago Aviation Police officers who forcefully dragged Dao off the plane causing him severe injuries. A passenger on the flight recorded the video as well as the following conversation:
“I won’t go, I’m a physician I have to work tomorrow, 8 o’clock…” Dao says.
When the officer asks him again, he threatens to “make a lawsuit” against United Airlines.
“No I am not going, I am not going!” says Dao.
The officer responds: “Well, we’ll have to drag you.”
“Well, you can drag me. I won’t go. I’m not going,” says Dao, who seems to be simultaneously talking to someone on the phone.
“They’re trying to use force,” he tells the person on the other end of the call.
The video was absolutely disturbing to watch which is why the link is not posted in this post. The video makes you feel angry and sad as to how they can treat a 69 year old man like that. They said these people were selected based upon a criteria however it said it was still random. United should have been a little more considerate with the age of this man and the fact that his wife was also on the plane.
This incident has caused a huge PR and ethics scandal not only for United but other airlines and airports who have done similar things in the past. There are many people who are either worsening the issue or playing devil’s advocate. The Internet has been stating things like it was not United Airlines’ fault since it was not directly their crew that had dragged Dr. Dao. Others are turning this into a racial issue and how it was not so “random” of a choice. However, this issue has brought multiple incidents like these to light. After the United Airlines issue, there have been few more incidents of United as well as other airlines taking people off flights.
Sources:
1. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/david-dao-doctor-dragged-plane-files-court-papers-demanding-united-n745721
2. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/04/13/united-airlines-david-dao-family-press-conference/100409492/
3. http://people.com/human-interest/footage-united-airlines-passenger-police-arguing-before-dragged-off-plane/
From Erin R:
ReplyDeleteHas there truly been any confirmation whether it was random or criteria-based passenger selection? These two methods seem mutually exclusive, and would potentially make the situation worse for United if it was criteria-based and the crew still had him selected.
In my later post, I have explained that there was no true random selection in this process. United as well as other airlines have criteria selected and algorithms made. But I agree that these two would make it worse for United. Have you noticed that there are people playing this on racism?
DeleteIf I was his wife I probably would volunteered to get off. Although that is an inconvenience and would cause them to split up he had to be at work the next day. Do you think escalation of commitment may have played a role in how violently he was taken off of the plane? Like do you think while he was being dragged off the plane things may have just escalated because of his resistance and maybe the officers emotions?
ReplyDeleteI agree. His wife should have gotten off if he didn't. There have been people who have said he may have just escalated things knowing that this would make a big issue. I feel like it was a little bit of both like he resisted but the amount he resisted he knew what he was doing.
DeleteIt seems like the United scandal is finally starting to die down, but man it was awful. It didn't help that a week later, a scorpion stung a passenger in-flight, and a bride and groom were kicked off a flight on the way to their wedding. What a PR nightmare.
ReplyDeleteYea things are not looking too good for them. It has died down but it will stick with them for a long time.
DeleteI wonder if it would be unfair to others if they didn’t select him because he was older. May be unfair to other people. I understand that someone had to go, and I understand that EVERY airline overbooks because people always miss their flight for one reason or another. That was not the problem. The problem started with the man refusing to go. He has a right to fight it but an ultimate refusal sets the tone for someone else to say “well he didn’t go so I don’t have to either”. If he is such a professional doctor, he probably should have handled the situation a little better. The second issue is the brute force. This is where the company slipped. untrained employees who do not really know how to deal with conflict.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree I think he could have acted better and some people have mentioned that he might have overreacted on purpose. United would not have had this happened if they had just done this before boarding.
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