kirkwoodj

So distressing that already well into page 2 already, although thankfully most posts are 'fluff', with all due respect...

Bowgie

Here's some links about the Auckland diversion:

http://sfist.com/2017/01/02/sfo-boun...rom_sydney.php

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-ze...-auckland.html

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel...take-off-again

Really can't blame United for diverting considering the man's behavior.
I'm also tired of hearing about these idiots. It would be nice if airlines would share "ban" lists so that these people just don't move onto to some other airline.

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And you just brought the thread to page 3

And according to .bomb
UA2052 1/2 AKL-SFO 789 delayed 3 hours due to catering difficulties

TA

Oh my god, those passengers are probably about to riot.

By the way, you know that you are able to change your settings to display 40 posts per page, instead of the default 15? ("Quick Links -> edit options -> thread display options") This is only page 1 for me...

Aspen

Would it be possible for individual passengers to sue the individual responsible? I would not be looking for a big pay out but say $500 (x each passenger on board) Does anyone want to speculate on UAL's expenditure? 200 x hotel rooms, 4-6 hours worth of fuel from the diversion and return trip backtracking, AKL Aerodrome fees, having an aeroplane out of use for an additional 24 hours. $100,000 perhaps all up ?

JDT1955

Not to defend this guy at all (I would use choice terminology, but FT has standards!), but I just wonder if there wasn't another way this could have been handled, avoiding the massive disruption of the diversion. Watching the video, he was clearly being a massive jerk, but wasn't (yet) physically abusive. Sometimes it's possible to talk these guys down: give him some minimal validation for his feelings (perhaps swap seats so the two guys talking over him were next to each other), explain in no uncertain terms that if the plane diverts he will be arrested, charged with a felony, and subject to multihundred K civil penalties, etc. I have no problem with having some of SF's finest meet him upon arrival, charging him appropriately, and placing him on a no-fly list, but it just seemed a very fast decision to go from insults to a diversion without some intervention to try to defuse the situation.

OK, flak jacket in place, flame away!

Kacee

I kind of had the same reaction. But that's just based on the video, don't know what else may have been said, so not really in a position to second-guess.

OTOH, it would not have been the first time UA FAs grossly overreacted. Passenger Kicked Off UA Flight for Taking Photos.

kirkwoodj

I'm sure part of his criminal punishment will be a massive fine for airline compensation. This has happened many times in similar cases.

Kacee

The FAA action will be a civil proceeding, and that's where fines would be imposed. It's a much lower standard of proof than a criminal proceeding. He may not even be criminally charged.

NH_Clark

I agree.. feels like it could have been handled differently, but this is only based on a snippet of video. We're not seeing the entirety of the incident and interactions.

MKE-MR

My "favorite" thing about flying United--they'll gladly misconnect passengers all over the system, but will always hold the HKG-SIN flight for however long it takes to get everybody from ORD, SFO, and EWR on board...I think the HKG-SIN flight has to be the worst-performing international flight in the system.

Such garbage.

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HKG-SIN is the continuation of ORD-HKG so I hope they'd hold the plane for ORD pax :P

But on a serious note when 895 arrives in SIN at 1am it sits on the ground until 6am to operate 896 SIN-HKG-ORD so holding it won't have an impact on the subsequent legs (I've seen 895 arrive in SIN at 4am before and 896 still gets out on time).

Also even though (according to google) there are 21 daily flights HKG-SIN (8x CX and 7x SQ) UA895 is the second-to-last flight of the day (there's a CX "redeye" departing 0150) so if they don't hold the flight then it's hotel rooms for everyone...

And would also disagree with you on the worst-performing international flight in the system - can think of many better candidates e.g. PVG-ORD/SFO (back when it was the 744), MEL-LAX, the daytime EWR/IAD-LHR flights that often turn into redeyes. 895 usually isn't that delayed IME.

spin88

Post up with a piece on this saying (a) he was mad about being in a middle seat between a couple who had booked isle and window and kept talking over him, and (b) UA would not give him a drink. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.809862ea748c

This guy will love the UA 777-300ER with 10 across!

Kacee

I'm really hoping that as soon as he gets access to an internet connection, he posts his trip report/anti-UA rant here on FT.

JDT1955

It really does seem that more could have been done to talk him off the ledge... I sure hope this didn't go straight from “Do you know how cool it would be to have the airplane turned around because of me?” to actually turning it around!