This is the perfect example of being Penny wise and Pound foolish.

There are 40,000 bumped passengers a year industry-wide. Even if the airlines gave each passenger $2,000 and a free flight, you are still talking less than $150 million across all airlines per year. To not do so is foolish.

I got bumped from a long-haul (14 hour flight) on a ME carrier that gets rave reviews. I got a $1,000 cash check and booked on the next night's flight with an upgrade to business class. And a few weeks later, my original ticket price was refunded too.

This is why US carriers don't compete. It is "illegal" subsidies as the allege. It is that US carriers treat their customers like cattle and other carriers treat their passengers like humans.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why didn't United know these flight attendants were coming in? From what I read they commute via this flight regularly.

I worked for a major airline - the flight attendants commute on PERSONAL passes - not business. Those 4 people were living in Chicago when they were Louisville flight attendants. I have no sympathy for these employees who clog up the system commuting since they don't want to live where they were hired to work. The fact that the united ground crew started kicking off paying customers to protect their own makes it even more pathetic and wrong!

Agree with this 100%. And before anybody cries boohoo about uprooting every time your job wants you to because it is in the travel industry, FAs, pilots "commute" because of seniority. They can be based out of a city where they can get more seniority and more pay but not have to actually live there. It's strategic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

Federal Regulations are pushed by our ELECTED politicians, who are wined and dined (owned) by airline lobbyists.

And, my point is that some of you people want MORE of that.

Your point is in la-la land.

We ALL want our elected politicians to vote to protect the airline customers, NOT the elite airline executives.

WMAL is discussing this now and taking calls from listeners.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

Federal Regulations are pushed by our ELECTED politicians, who are wined and dined (owned) by airline lobbyists.

And, my point is that some of you people want MORE of that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

But they were offering $800 travel vouchers. By now, most people consider these not that beneficial because they expire and have restrictions on their use. Per the regulation, they were free to offer cash. They chose not to do that.

Exactly. United Airlines could have easily offered all the passengers a $1,350.00 check on the spot, or even $1,350.00 cash. Surely, there would have been a taker. I guarantee you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

But they were offering $800 travel vouchers. By now, most people consider these not that beneficial because they expire and have restrictions on their use. Per the regulation, they were free to offer cash. They chose not to do that.

Other passengers on that flight are reporting that they're still "bewildered" that the United Airline employees used force to drag that man the way they did.

Anonymous wrote:Did we ever find out how this guy got "randomly" picked?

United won't say, but supposedly it's an algorithm based on your status, how frequently you fly, and the fare you paid. They are currently refusing to comment on it, based on some articles I read.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

Federal Regulations are pushed by our ELECTED politicians, who are wined and dined (owned) by airline lobbyists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Atlantic article said the cap is $1350; somebody would have taken it at that price.

Why is there a cap anyway? Is it some law to protect the airline?

Probably a regulation - which some people here think we need more of.

No, airlines have been in a race to the bottom since they were deregulated 35-40 years ago. If they're all going to be bumping people from flights, would you choose the airline that compensates $500 or $5k?

It is a Federal Regulation. So, those of you crying out for MORE regulations, keep this one in mind in your desire to regulate everything we do in the US.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/250.5

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where's Mary F. Schiavo when you need her?
She's my hero! And warrior for airline safety and consumer protection.

Yes!

She's apparently the WORST enemy of every major airline.
Believe me.

Anonymous wrote:Where's Mary F. Schiavo when you need her?
She's my hero! And warrior for airline safety and consumer protection.

Yes!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did we ever find out how this guy got "randomly" picked?

I think they picked an Asian guy on purpose-imagine if they dragged a black person off the plane? Or even a Latino? All hell would break loose. This backfired on them bad-but at least they do not have the "race card" issue to deal with either.

I wouldn't be so sure about that!

Anonymous wrote:Why didn't United know these flight attendants were coming in? From what I read they commute via this flight regularly.

I worked for a major airline - the flight attendants commute on PERSONAL passes - not business. Those 4 people were living in Chicago when they were Louisville flight attendants. I have no sympathy for these employees who clog up the system commuting since they don't want to live where they were hired to work. The fact that the united ground crew started kicking off paying customers to protect their own makes it even more pathetic and wrong!