A flight from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked and United Airlines needed a few people to volunteer to leave the plane. What usually happens is that the airline will offer incentives (i.e. vouchers) to wait for another flight. According to The Louisville Courier Journal passengers were told at the gate the flight was overbooked and offered $400 and a hotel voucher for the night. Man Dragged From Overbooked United FlightThose that turned down the offer were allowed to board the plane. With no takers and everyone on the plane, the airline increased the offer to $800, yet still no one volunteered.
Passengers were then told the plane would not take off until everyone had a seat and because no one volunteered four people would be selected at random. One couple that was selected left the airplane without an issue. But when this man was confronted, he refused and security was called.
A United spokesperson confirmed in an email Sunday night that a passenger had been taken off a flight in Chicago.
“FLIGHT 3411 FROM CHICAGO TO LOUISVILLE WAS OVERBOOKED,” THE SPOKESPERSON SAID. “AFTER OUR TEAM LOOKED FOR VOLUNTEERS, ONE CUSTOMER REFUSED TO LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT VOLUNTARILY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS ASKED TO COME TO THE GATE.
“WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE OVERBOOK SITUATION. FURTHER DETAILS ON THE REMOVED CUSTOMER SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO AUTHORITIES.”
Here’s another view of the incident –
CLASSIC @UNITED OVERBOOK #FLIGHT3411 AND DECIDED TO FORCE RANDOM PASSENGERS OFF THE PLANE. HERE’S HOW THEY DID IT: PIC.TWITTER.COM/UAISKZ2BHD
— STEPHEN (@STEPHENLACA) APRIL 10, 2017
The man was able to get back on the plane after initially being removed. His face was bloody as he was very distraught according Audra Bridges, another passenger on the plane. Here he is seen walking to the back of the plane saying he has to get home.
@UNITED @CNN @FOXNEWS @WHAS11 MAN FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM PLANE SOMEHOW GETS BACK ON STILL BLOODY FROM BEING REMOVED PIC.TWITTER.COM/NJS3NC0PDL
— TYLER BRIDGES (@TYLER_BRIDGES) APRIL 10, 2017
While yet another video shows him saying over and over, just kill me, just kill me…
WOW. LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID TO THIS GUY. #UNITED3411 PIC.TWITTER.COM/RT8QJD1L6J
— BENJAMIN DIXON (@BENJAMINPDIXON) APRIL 10, 2017
The flight was delayed about two hours arriving in Louisville late Sunday night. No update has been given about the condition of the man forcibly removed.
Looks like United has some explaining to do.
