Originally Posted by
vandalby
Oh come on! The captain is pretty much in an impossible situation here - I view his actions as akin to saying to the OP 'Hey, we obviously have some underhanded bigots here, if you don't want to get back on the plane with them, we'll accomodate'.
The captain was in a difficult and unpleasant position but so was the OP. But the former was NOT in an impossible situation. If he can't act in difficult situations, he has no business in commanding an airplane.
Originally Posted by
vandalby
What would you have the captain do? Storm back on the plane and toss the accusers off immediately? "OK, you guys were wrong so you'll have to go." What kind of message does that send? So much for the messaging that we hear everywhere about remaining vigilant, reporting anything that looks unusual, etc. Let's just throw all of that out the window. Right?
NO. This could have been handled justly and professionally. After the TSA screening he did NOT have any reason to deny the OP to board the aircraft. Hence, he should have said to the complaining party, "The passenger has been cleared by TSA and so there is no reason to be suspicious. However, if you are still uncomfortable traveling with him, then you may get off the plane." That would have been a just, responsible and fair thing to do!
Originally Posted by
vandalby
The OP obviously got a raw deal by a bunch of passengers that were ticked about not being able to change seats. It's their fault for delivering an extremely low and underhanded manuever
Sure. But UA still comes off badly after the captain failing to do that which was just.
Originally Posted by
vandalby
I'm happy to criticize UA where due, but the flight staff has handed an impossible situation on this one. Sounds to me like they handled it as professionally as they could.
NO. UA could AND should have acted better.