Originally Posted by
fastair
Might want to read the legislation. Cabin door open, at the gate, is NOT the same as locked up and on the tarmac. Regulations have very specific language that can either hang someone, or let them off the hook. No laws/rules that the DoT has issued would apply here.
Sounds like it was not handeled well, and should be an issue for the carrier, but it in no way falls under the govt's regulation. It is best to inform yourself first prior to filing nusance complaints with a regulator when the regulator does not regulate the scenerio. Let them use their time to regulate things that they have jurisdiction over.
The OP got off the plane. This is different than being locked on a plane with no useable exit. The OP stated others got off the plane. Again, different than being locked on without an exit. An issue for UA, yes, an issue that is regulated by the DoT, again, no. They have specific language in there to prevent complaints like this from bearing their scrutiny.
Hmmmm..... (and I am taking the OP's post at face value) It sure seems to fly in the face of the
spirit of the DoT regs. (it should be noted that I HATE the DoT rule. IMhO it has caused far many more unecessary (pre-emptive) cancellations, then has "saved" people from getting held on a aircraft.)
Casual/noob travellers see very little difference between a door lock and a GA portraying things like:
caused her to double down on her demand that nobody could leave the plane without her permission
the jail warden CSR shouted at me, claiming that I was not allowed to leave the aircraft ("You can't just walk off an aircraft!")
She continued to insist that I was violating the rules