Guess I'm going to be the turd in the punch bowl here.

 

United screwed up and handled this as badly as you could. That said, once they started drawing names it's time to go if you get picked. When a police officer, make that 2 police officers, tell you to do something refusing will not end well for you.

 

He can sue if he wants but it wasn't United employees who drug him off the plane.

 

I would agree to a point. My question is were ALL passengers (including those in 1st class) subject to the lottery and was the lottery done in plain sight.

I would agree to a point. My question is were ALL passengers (including those in 1st class) subject to the lottery and was the lottery done in plain sight.

 

That is a fair question, and the first class question was the first one that came to mind for me.

RM at the risk of dragging politics into this, the same types of data analysis and loss management you cite as reasons for the travel industries booking policies are the same types of data analysis and loss management the insurance industry used to set rates and why certain people or groups of people used to pay different rates for the same coverage.

 

Bottom line is as long as you're not the one that gets tossed off a plane or you're not the one paying higher rates it's fine but once you feel you've been wronged noting anyone can say will justify the policy.

I would agree to a point. My question is were ALL passengers (including those in 1st class) subject to the lottery and was the lottery done in plain sight.

My guess is a flight from Chicago to Louisville didn't have a first class. Maybe business but on a smaller plane that would mean you get to board first. Could have a been a larger plane Andrew did have it but I would guess not. Regarding how the draw was done, good question. But again that goes to my point of United screwing up the entire situation.

RM at the risk of dragging politics into this, the same types of data analysis and loss management you cite as reasons for the travel industries booking policies are the same types of data analysis and loss management the insurance industry used to set rates and why certain people or groups of people used to pay different rates for the same coverage.

 

Bottom line is as long as you're not the one that gets tossed off a plane or you're not the one paying higher rates it's fine but once you feel you've been wronged noting anyone can say will justify the policy.

 

I've sworn off all political discussion. Sorry.

 

But, from a business perspective, yes...You are correct.

You offer me $800 bucks to get off a plane, I'm getting off every single time. That's a no brainer.

Guess I'm going to be the turd in the punch bowl here.

 

United screwed up and handled this as badly as you could. That said, once they started drawing names it's time to go if you get picked. When a police officer, make that 2 police officers, tell you to do something refusing will not end well for you.

 

He can sue if he wants but it wasn't United employees who drug him off the plane.

 

I disagree with you there. The man was doing nothing wrong. He paid for that seat and had every expectation to sit there.

 

The Airlines should have kept raising their financial incentive to get off, especially if it was for flying vouchers (not real money any way). Everyone has a price and I bet it wouldn't have taken much more for some to give up their seats. It would have cost less in the long run.

I would agree to a point. My question is were ALL passengers (including those in 1st class) subject to the lottery and was the lottery done in plain sight.

Typically they select who was the last passenger(s) to check-in.

I'll continue to fly United if & when it is the cheapest & most direct route to my destination. Don't fool yourself, so will the majority of other people.

 

 

Word

Heard they announced to the patrons on the speaker that they needed the seats for United employees. That would not have gone over well at all.

 

Heard the same last night when this came out, still don't understand why they would announce that.

Typically they select who was the last passenger(s) to check-in.

 

Just heard that it was based on an algorithm taking into account price paid for the ticket and date of purchase.

Airlines expert said less than 5% of the flight coupons get used.

You offer me $800 bucks to get off a plane, I'm getting off every single time. That's a no brainer.

 

And that's your choice, there have been several times that I flew that had I been offered the opportunity to give up my seat I would have jumped at it, there were times that I needed to be someplace that I wouldn't have done it. Like someone else says keep upping the ante, someone would have done it eventually.

You'd have to think this doesn't end well for United. Whether that be by lawsuit, PR backlash, or both, this will be damaging to them.

 

Damaging yes, however with an annual revenue over 36.5 billion, in the end it will a blip on the radar and nothing more.

 

Hopefully it does put a stop to their over booking practice that seems to happen far too often.

Now you will get off the plane or I will put you off the plane.