[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by dillywho

I read a letter from a pilot's wife on this and it is not what the media has portrayed.

This is paraphrased into what she said:

ALL airlines overbook. If not, then too many flights will not be filled to capacity. People often book a flight, then decide to take an earlier/later flight and don't both cancelling any other flights they have booked on other airlines. Flying at less than capacity is costly. This in turn can bring about higher fares, etc.

The fine print (yeah that) that most of us simply agree to without actually reading, tells you that a ticket does not guarantee you a seat. The other policies are also located in this fine print.

As for the flight crew: Airlines only bump the passengers to get a crew to another flight out of necessity. Just like any other business, staffing is subject to sudden illness, etc. Sometimes it becomes necessary to fly in another crew in order to not cancel a flight. FAA rules state that x-number of crew must be on every flight. Every time a flight has to be cancelled, there is a rippling effect. It is just not that one flight affected. Think about that the next time your flight gets cancelled. Better a delayed flight than a cancelled flight.

She also said that passengers are not 'randomly' selected for involuntary bumping. They go by next available flights, those having to connect to other flights, date of ticket purchase, and some of the other factors I forgot. Race, as this guy was screaming, nor random selection by drawing numbers or whatever does not even come into play.

Not only was United Security involved, so were police and Federal Air Marshalls. Once they were involved, the crew of this flight was out of it....period.

This man was his own problem. After a bit of research on him, turns out he is not as important as he rates himself. His appointments can be rescheduled; other things with some other passengers cannot. There is absolutely no excuse for his behavior. Too many people are totally absorbed with themselves and this guy fits that bill perfectly. Raising your voice and objecting is one thing. Kicking and screaming and having to be forcibly removed is quite another. He was being anything but docile as many men as it took to remove him.

When you are bumped from a flight, not only are you compensated (often handsomely) but get priority seating on the next available flight. I even got upgraded to first class one time! Works for me.

Just goes to prove that you cannot believe what the media feeds you. Remember, they are out for ratings, not reason and truth.

I don't agree with much of what you say. You cannot book multiple flights and then not show up without paying for the flight. Regardless of what the fine print says, you should be guaranteed a seat. You can't change the fine print. The crew should never bump a paying customer who is sitting in his seat. The police were only involved when United got them involved because they did not want to offer enough compensation to bumped passengers. For once, the media got this one correct. The airlines have way too much power, and United really screwed this one up. Being bumped may work for you, but not for most people.