UA forcibly remove random pax from flight - Round 2
A former aviation officer who dragged a United Airlines passenger off an oversold flight last April is suing the airline and his former employer, the Chicago Department of Aviation, ABC 7 reported on Tuesday.
In the lawsuit, the former officer, James Long, claims that he wasn't properly trained to handle passengers who misbehaved and that United "knew or should have known" that calling aviation officers to "remove a passenger who was refusing to leave their plane would require the use of physical force." Long also argues that he was fired on unfair terms and subject to slander after videos of him and other officers dragging the passenger off the plane went viral. |
Originally Posted by WingNut60
(Post 10115148)
A former aviation officer who dragged a United Airlines passenger off an oversold flight last April is suing the airline and his former employer, the Chicago Department of Aviation, ABC 7 reported on Tuesday.
In the lawsuit, the former officer, James Long, claims that he wasn't properly trained to handle passengers who misbehaved and that United "knew or should have known" that calling aviation officers to "remove a passenger who was refusing to leave their plane would require the use of physical force." Long also argues that he was fired on unfair terms and subject to slander after videos of him and other officers dragging the passenger off the plane went viral. Okay, I give up, what is an ‘aviation officer’ ? |
It's a Chicago cop who is assigned to the airport, I think.
|
I particularly liked the comment quoting a tweet from the Chicago Department of Aviation saying :
... its officers were not armed “for good reasons.” At the time, Chicago aviation officers were pursuing an effort to carry guns while working. |
Originally Posted by WingNut60
(Post 10115164)
I particularly liked the comment quoting a tweet from the Chicago Department of Aviation saying :
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/o...airline-2018-4 Have things changed? Yes. Should he be scarred for life? No. There is more to this story than is reported. The officers didn’t abuse him, he resisted and smacked his face as a result. |
Originally Posted by FIRESYSOK
(Post 10115187)
........Should he be scarred for life? No.
There is more to this story than is reported. The officers didn’t abuse him, he resisted and smacked his face as a result. But I am glad that that those officers were not armed - not even with Tasers. And this comment is definitely not intended to be a start to another round of firearms control venting. Take that argument elsewhere. |
What was “random” about the removal of this passenger? Presumably he was selected from the manifest for whatever reason(s) UA thought they had. That seems rather specific rather than random.
|
Originally Posted by Right Hand Thread
(Post 10115295)
What was “random” about the removal of this passenger? Presumably he was selected from the manifest for whatever reason(s) UA thought they had. That seems rather specific rather than random.
And that probably came from some newspapers headline. |
Originally Posted by Right Hand Thread
(Post 10115295)
What was “random” about the removal of this passenger?
Enjoy. |
Originally Posted by FIRESYSOK
(Post 10115187)
Very popular to bag on this guy but he was doing what he was hired for and what, essentially, he was tasked to do...written or not.
I feel the lawsuit is fair game. He was outed in the media and used as a scapegoat by all parties. The officers didn’t abuse him, he resisted and [the officers] smacked his face as a result |
Originally Posted by WingNut60
(Post 10115148)
Long also argues that he was fired on unfair terms and subject to slander after videos of him and other officers dragging the passenger off the plane went viral.
Also, the truth is a defence to a slander/libel suit. Video evidence which shows the guy assaulting the passenger would be evidence as to the truth of what happened - I can’t see the slander in that. := |
Originally Posted by Chipzilla
(Post 10115454)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Illinois an at-will employment state? Meaning you can be fired without reason?
Also, the truth is a defence to a slander/libel suit. Video evidence which shows the guy assaulting the passenger would be evidence as to the truth of what happened - I can’t see the slander in that. := |
It's a Chicago cop who is assigned to the airport, I think. "At will" doesn't apply to public employees who work under a CBA/contract. |
Chipzilla, I'm certainly not taking sides here...to much is still unclear...however.
A decision was made to remove the passenger (right or wrong) and a sworn peace officer was tasked with that passengers removal due to his failure to comply with a lawful order from the flight crew. So.... 1) Under no reasonable circumstances (that I am aware of) is his behavior "illegal". His job was in fact to remove the non complying passenger who disobeyed a direct order from a law enforcement official. This is not meant to defend United in any way but to try and objectively look at the officers role in this... 2) This "thug with a badge" rhetoric is dangerous. Yes bad, rogue and even criminal conduct does occur and needs to be carefully monitored and prosecuted as appropriate....but this falls far short of that criteria. Once United chose to resort to escalating this situation to involve law enforcement the passenger failed to recognize the difference. From my limited perspective the lawsuit actually stands on it's merits very well. The true fault lies with United and the irate passenger....the poor shmuck in the middle trying to his job (admittedly poorly) was guilty of questionable judgement in not calling for a supervisor or for CPD (if they were allowed on the plane). The flip side is how would he be viewed for "failing" to do his job in that case.... |
Originally Posted by FIRESYSOK
(Post 10115187)
The officers didn’t abuse him, he resisted and smacked his face as a result.
In this particular case, it's very much unclear that the individuals assaulting Dr. Dao had the legitimate authority to act as they did. In fact, United's apology and settlement, and the dismissal of one of the attackers for misconduct, would suggest that they didn't. Since the passenger was not convicted of resisting arrest, nor of assault, nor of anything else for that matter, I'd suggest that "resisting" does not apply here. |
Originally Posted by SLFinAZ
(Post 10116440)
Chipzilla, I'm certainly not taking sides here...to much is still unclear...however.
a sworn peace officer was tasked with that passengers removal due to his failure to comply with a lawful order from the flight crew. |
Originally Posted by jack11111
(Post 10115159)
It's a Chicago cop who is assigned to the airport, I think.
|
I agree that the individual concerned over-reacted, the clearly educated passenger was stating his case that he had every right to remain occupying that seat etc., however I do believe that this individual has a right to sue the airline, not necessarily his employer, but the airline.
It was a case of 'chain of command', first of all that the airline has a ridiculous rule that deadheading crew must travel in cattle class rather than by chartered executive jet or whatever, faced with such stupidity the ground staff decided that revenue pax would be offloaded in favour of deadheading crew, faced with refusal did they offer other pax financial incentives to offload before calling in law enforcement officers? This individual had no right to treat the passenger the way he did but the airline put him on the spot "we want this guy off the plane and it is your job to do it". |
what was wrong the skipper coming back into the cabin and asking and explaining to the pax nicely:
'sorry old chap we have an awful problem and need to use your seat for one of our crew, can you get off, we will look after you and get you home asap but we really need this seat'' with that approach the chances are the pax would have got off or even someone else volunteering or do i now live in a twilight zone of aviation |
Originally Posted by Carbon Bootprint
(Post 10116366)
They're actually City of Chicago Aviation Department employees[/URL], not CPD. They have limited arrest rights and don't carry weapons, though they are certified Illinois law officers.
Originally Posted by HEMS driver
(Post 10116082)
"At will" doesn't apply to public employees who work under a CBA/contract.
Originally Posted by rog747
(Post 10116658)
what was wrong the skipper coming back into the cabin and asking and explaining to the pax nicely:
'sorry old chap we have an awful problem and need to use your seat for one of our crew, can you get off, we will look after you and get you home asap but we really need this seat'' with that approach the chances are the pax would have got off or even someone else volunteering or do i now live in a twilight zone of aviation |
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