Originally Posted by
Sonny_Jim
Blah blah, Captain can throw off anyone they want blah Passenger was belligerent blah...
But isn't the problem (legally) that he was seated and not at check-in before they decided to bump him off the flight?
All the legal stuff about bumping passengers I've looked at refers to check-in and not whilst they are boarded. Considering he wasn't 'belligerent' or a 'threat to safety' before they decided to smash his face up and drag him unconscious down the isle, how can UA have a leg to stand on when this inevitably goes to court?
That is a rhetorical argument that would not stand up at court. Denied boarding/offloaded after getting on the plane means the same thing in the real world.
Example. Full flight is delayed. Now destination weather goes down, ILS NOTAM out of service. More fuel must be uploaded. Any number of MEL considerations requiring weight restriction requiring PAX to be offloaded in reverse order of boarding priority. Happens all the time in actual operations.