The Not So Friendly Skies

Each day I read the news and think that it can't get any stranger, and then of course, it does. Usually it has everything to do with the current president and his administration, however today's weird news story has absolutely nothing to do with him. Although, he'll probably find himself in the middle of this mess eventually - he usually does. 

Last evening, for some inexplicable reason, the people at United Airlines thought it was a great PR move to forceably drag a doctor off one of their airplanes.  A doctor that had the misfortune of being chosen to "volunteer" to get moved to a later flight.  A doctor whose excuse for not being able to take a later flight was that he needed to be at the hospital in the morning to see patients. As a good friend states - I have questions.

For instance, how in the world did this situation escalate so violently and so quickly?  The doctor was minding his own business and by all accounts was rationally explaining why he couldn't change flights.  At that point, why didn't the United flight crew move on and choose another passenger to volunteer?  The whole thing would have been over, and the economy of the entire company may not be in danger right now. 

Or, why in fact was the plane booked over capacity anyway?  These issues are usually handled at the gate not once passengers are on the plane.  Why was a number that was greater than the number of seats they had allowed on the plane in the first place?  And more to the point, why in the world was the plane sold over capacity in the first place? Is this common place and if it is, how is this good for business?

And lastly, can you imagine being on that plane with a child or even just with friends and witnessing this awful scene first hand?  How does one fly after that?  Or how does one decide to stay on that particular plane after something like that?

The entire situation is just scary and most definitely odd.  Never have I worried about something like this happening on any airplane that I was on - crashes, engine issues, even just being next to a screaming baby - but never being forceably taken from a plane.  But you can guarantee I will be thinking of it the next time I'm on a plane, and I'm sure loads of others will too.  Way to go United - you really made the friendly skies a lot less friendlier...