Anyone Care To Fly United Airlines

[jstar]

This happens on Air Asia where those overwing emergency exit seats are priced higher.

In other jurisdictions those seats need to be occupied by someone who is capable of carrying out emergency duties in case of ditching or crash landing. Cabin Attendants verify this before take off when they brief those passengers on their special duty...I've been moved to those seats when it was clear the assigned passenger was incapable of those duties.

I've written twice to Air Asia Safety Officer about their policy but had no response.

Many airlines charge extra though, e.g. KLM and Virgin, for those exit row seats. Everybody is always complaining about Lion here but often they put me in that row (taller than average I hope, not racial).

And in these (paying extra) airlines they do ask you whether you are willing or capable to operate the doors.

What I had once; my wife couldn't join me last minute and there was no way to rebook or refund (I knew that up front so no complaining there). But hey, I thought; well at least I can sleep with an empty seat next to me, will have some extra space. But what happened; they sold the seat! And yes, it was allowed according to their own guidelines. (No show up.) Nice profit. And two future customers less.

 

[R Cameron]

What I had once; my wife couldn't join me last minute and there was no way to rebook or refund (I knew that up front so no complaining there). But hey, I thought; well at least I can sleep with an empty seat next to me, will have some extra space. But what happened; they sold the seat! And yes, it was allowed according to their own guidelines. (No show up.) Nice profit. And two future customers less.

Since you already knew you were forfeiting the cost, you could have checked her in online, then it wouldn't be until just a few minutes before the flight leaves before they realize she isn't coming. If they had someone stand-by, they would take it, but if not they wouldn't have the opportunity to sell it.

 

[Davita]

One cannot deny Corporate responsibility when United Airlines now freely offer the following.....

http://www.funnyjunk.com/United+airlines+travel+pillow/funny-pictures/6235526/

and also....free Chinese Take-Away on the menu...

 

[Anglian]

Seems the poor chap received a broken nose, lost two teeth and needs some reconstructive surgery, this certainly will cost the airline, I didn't realise he was 69 years old, so much for respect of the elderly

 

[Davita]

Seems the poor chap received a broken nose, lost two teeth and needs some reconstructive surgery, this certainly will cost the airline, I didn't realise he was 69 years old, so much for respect of the elderly

As I'm 10 years this gentleman's senior those years have probably brought me more wisdom. If I was confronted in the same situation by a burly officer, wearing dirty jeans, telling me to get out of my seat....I would acquiesce and keep evidence to sue the airline later.

That's because I consider my thick white hair, perfectly shaped nose and pearly white teeth to be three of my great assets....

btw my wife has just confirmed appointments to see my optician and dentist...

 

[Daniel50]

They had a press conference today with David Dao's lawyers and one daughter was there. They are gathering material/evidence for a possible law suit.

 

[waarmstrong]

Seems the poor chap received a broken nose, lost two teeth and needs some reconstructive surgery, this certainly will cost the airline, I didn't realise he was 69 years old, so much for respect of the elderly

The information on the extent of the gentleman's injuries comes from the attorney and daughter. Hardly a disinterested, impartial source with nothing to gain by exaggerating.

 

[Davita]

The information on the extent of the gentleman's injuries comes from the attorney and daughter. Hardly a disinterested, impartial source with nothing to gain by exaggerating.

An interesting observation waarmy...
I also noted, the lawyer, who was ever willing to give his medical prognosis, admitted he had not talked with the hospital doctor and that medical information was under investigation as a prelude to litigation.

The lawyer was also almost in tears describing what his client said he'd endured leaving Vietnam, at the fall of Saigon, as not as horrendous as this recent event. He then compared his clients indignity as similar to Rosa Parks and this case may change American history as Rosa's did. This comparison has outraged Rosa Parks' niece (another court case?)...and yet, when asked about his client's past history of belligerence with authority, he informed the press that was irrelevant to the legality of the case.

This press conference left me wondering if Doctor Dao had an anger management problem associated with his escape from Vietnam and subsequently coming to USA as a refugee, and possibly needed some psychiatric help, but then realized I'm not a lawyer.
I'm sure United Airlines do have lawyers....and they might think that relevant if the case ever gets to trial.

 

[Daniel50]

I am understanding how/why Davita seems to lean towards the airlines. I believe the Captain is ultimately in charge of the aircraft. I am not sure if Davita was primarily the captain or not but I am thinking he was. This draws to mind so many possible instances where Davita probably ordered a beat down, and removal, of passengers. Example. it is reported to the captain someone refuses to put their tray in the upright position for take off. Action required, the Captain orders the passenger beaten and thrown off the aircraft. Someone accidentally sits in the wrong seat upon boarding. Action taken: Captain having a bad day the Captain orders beat down and removal from the plane. Mid air God only knows, reported to the Captain someone complained about their meal, action taken: Captain orders them to go hungry for the rest of the flight and to be locked in a bathroom, for the remainder of the flight, and as an example for any other whiners etc. etc. etc.

 

[Davita]

I am understanding how/why Davita seems to lean towards the airlines. I believe the Captain is ultimately in charge of the aircraft. I am not sure if Davita was primarily the captain or not but I am thinking he was. This draws to mind so many possible instances where Davita probably ordered a beat down, and removal, of passengers. Example. it is reported to the captain someone refuses to put their tray in the upright position for take off. Action required, the Captain orders the passenger beaten and thrown off the aircraft. Someone accidentally sits in the wrong seat upon boarding. Action taken: Captain having a bad day the Captain orders beat down and removal from the plane. Mid air God only knows, reported to the Captain someone complained about their meal, action taken: Captain orders them to go hungry for the rest of the flight and to be locked in a bathroom, for the remainder of the flight, and as an example for any other whiners etc. etc. etc.

None of the above has ever occurred to my knowledge...but interesting propositions nonetheless....

Given that Aviation Law stems from the days of Maritime Law I often wonder why, in the event a passenger dies en route at 35,000+ feet, the Captain cannot order the body to be slid overboard.....as they used to do on ships....

 

[Anglian]

I wonder if the airline charges more, does a dead person now become frieight ,

 

[Davita]

I wonder if the airline charges more, does a dead person now become frieight ,

In my aviation career I've had two people die during flight...in neither case was it the airlines fault and in neither case was compensation, or a refund, asked or given.
In comparison I heard two pedigreed dogs died in the cargo-hold because someone forgot to switch ON the cargo heat. The owner was very adequately compensated.

See...it all depends...

Edit; The story of one of those pax death experience is it was a very old Chinese gentleman who died en route to Hong Kong. I asked his son why he had traveled when he was obviously so unwell. He replied that it was the family wish he would die in China. I told him to tell his mum we were over China...he looked relieved.
I went back to the flight deck...we were somewhere closer to the Bangladesh/Myanmar border.

 

[Daniel50]

Edit; The story of one of those pax death experience is it was a very old Chinese gentleman who died en route to Hong Kong. I asked his son why he had traveled when he was obviously so unwell. He replied that it was the family wish he would die in China. I told him to tell his mum we were over China...he looked relieved.
I went back to the flight deck...we were somewhere closer to the Bangladesh/Myanmar border.

S

Sounds like quick thinking, good job.

 

[waarmstrong]

I wonder if the airline charges more, does a dead person now become frieight ,

I am often half dead by the end of our ORD to CGK itinerary -- maybe I should be asking for a discount. We have been using JAL lately.

 

[Nimbus]

One more from United. I actually witnessed this policy firsthand a couple of years ago, United being anal about "Economy Plus" seats and demanding payment. Very unpleasant.

http://usat.ly/2psZm01

 

[Euc-]

In my aviation career I've had two people die during flight...in neither case was it the airlines fault and in neither case was compensation, or a refund, asked or given.
In comparison I heard two pedigreed dogs died in the cargo-hold because someone forgot to switch ON the cargo heat. The owner was very adequately compensated.

See...it all depends...

Edit; The story of one of those pax death experience is it was a very old Chinese gentleman who died en route to Hong Kong. I asked his son why he had traveled when he was obviously so unwell. He replied that it was the family wish he would die in China. I told him to tell his mum we were over China...he looked relieved.
I went back to the flight deck...we were somewhere closer to the Bangladesh/Myanmar border.

Nice save, guessing that there were no in-flight maps showing the current position yet?

 

[Euc-]

I understand that first the flight attendant should move people around if the ones at the emergency exits don't muster up to what is required and that if passengers find that the ones sitting there are not really qualified, they can request they are moved. With airlines around here charging additional for the leg room at the exits, I bet you would get a big argument if someone was told they would need to change seats after paying more for them. I would feel sorry for the kids after the fact if they were sitting in exit seats and get run over by people that could get the doors open if the situation should arise. I doubt there would be any, "please excuse me while I get in front of you to open the door" conversations.

Have seen it happen on multiple occasions that pax were removed from their emergency exit row seats as they were deemed not suitable to be in them, including on airlines where they had to pay for those seats. They weren't the happiest pax on board but the cc always won the "fight". These included an entire family (2 adults and 4 kids), and many old and fragile looking persons.

I'm probably the kind of guy that if I see someone that probably wouldn't be fit to open the doors I'd complain about it.

What I had once; my wife couldn't join me last minute and there was no way to rebook or refund (I knew that up front so no complaining there). But hey, I thought; well at least I can sleep with an empty seat next to me, will have some extra space. But what happened; they sold the seat! And yes, it was allowed according to their own guidelines. (No show up.) Nice profit. And two future customers less.

Unfortunately there are no laws that require seating in exit row seats, but luckily some airlines take it a bit more serious and require to always have someone in those seats. I've seen Cabin crew take place in empty seats for takeoff and landing on narrow bodied planes (where the crew seats are in the front and aft galleys).

(That is assuming you had the emergency seat, if you were talking about regular seats, yep; that's the way it is )

 

[Davita]

Nice save, guessing that there were no in-flight maps showing the current position yet?

I'm trying to guess why you put a biggrin smiley but presume you've been around the forum long enough to read I retired in 1990 and this flight was previous to that...and you're grinning thinking I'm really Pontious the Pilot.

There was little navigation available then as GPS was still only for the US military..but you're correct....today a pilot just needs to ask a passenger where they are...

 

[Davita]

I flew Air Asia Sunday (JKT-DPS) and noted all 12 red-topped overwing emergency exit seats were empty. I didn't see anyone briefed on how to open the window in an emergency, although there is a briefing inside the emergency pamphlet.

The passenger next to me looked at me like I was a dummy when I read the pamphlet and advised my wife our emergency exits ....then checked under our seats to locate the lifejackets.

He must have thought I was new. I fully expected him to hold my hand as if I had a fear of flying.

 

[jstar]

.
Did you clap after the landing?