United Airlines Kicks Elderly Professor Couple Off Late-Night Flight
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
I don't see how having stock in three competing airlines WOULDN'T affect the quality of journalism, even if only slightly.
That belief might be strengthened by the mere fact that the disclosure only happens mid-article and immediately following a reference to the Dao incident.
I may be wrong, but I always thought such disclosures happened at the very beginning of articles.
That belief might be strengthened by the mere fact that the disclosure only happens mid-article and immediately following a reference to the Dao incident.
I may be wrong, but I always thought such disclosures happened at the very beginning of articles.
The stuff about his journalism awards appears in his bio at the end of the article, which appears in a different font. It's not part of the article itself.
To me this looks like the normal sort of disclosure that would be required by many financial publications. If the reporter is interested in aviation, it's not unusual that he would invest in several airline stocks.
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
Is there such a thing a objective journalism?
(admittedly, it recovered pretty fast afterward)
Last edited by narvik; Sep 13, 2019 at 9:47 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
This is getting old, with some FA's that are overly sensitive, they are right, the customer is wrong attitude. One is gold, one is silver, take a brief moment FA and realize they may not be young anymore, but they aren't once a year travelers. Now to put them on some internal watch list? Pathetic. First thing I would do is jump ship and find a different airline. No need to touch UA again, ever.
Now, I've never had this happen to me with UA, but Sears once did something that made me never care about Sears again, so did Circuit City. Not because of me obviously, but one is out of business, and the other is close behind. I was so mad at Circuit City I celebrated the day they left the industry. With limited seats across the network, UA can do whatever right now, but if/when things slow down, these bad apples in the system could poison future bookings.
Now, I've never had this happen to me with UA, but Sears once did something that made me never care about Sears again, so did Circuit City. Not because of me obviously, but one is out of business, and the other is close behind. I was so mad at Circuit City I celebrated the day they left the industry. With limited seats across the network, UA can do whatever right now, but if/when things slow down, these bad apples in the system could poison future bookings.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
This story is presumably as sympathetic as possible to the passengers, given that it's their side of the story, but it comes off as excessively petulant and whiny. It looks like nothing but a shakedown.
#37
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
Sensitive to being physically accosted, you mean? The passenger admits to touching the FA.
This story is presumably as sympathetic as possible to the passengers, given that it's their side of the story, but it comes off as excessively petulant and whiny. It looks like nothing but a shakedown.
This story is presumably as sympathetic as possible to the passengers, given that it's their side of the story, but it comes off as excessively petulant and whiny. It looks like nothing but a shakedown.
The couple with no apparent previous problems and both with status are now suddenly on the radar of UA, which doesn't make sense. But somehow a BG5 person apparently took priority. I'd be beyond annoyed if I'm happily seated and some FA says I need to leave the airplane. With or without some alcohol in me, I'd be outspoken.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Interesting - the mood on UA board seems to have shifted to match typical AA board response..
You werent dragged off the plane like certain others so shut up and be thankful that i am not pressing assault charges for tapping me on the elbow..
You werent dragged off the plane like certain others so shut up and be thankful that i am not pressing assault charges for tapping me on the elbow..
#40
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
The devil is the detail here though, and it's certainly in their interest to downplay the exact way in which this "tapped her elbow" happened and what was said (and in which tone) at the time.
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
What could she have possibly done to the stewardess? Pinch her? Sock her on the back of the head? Grab her butt?
#44
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,201
As noted by WineCountry up-thread, this took place 3 months ago. It went to an internal UA review and was dismissed (for lack of a better term). Now the couple find a sympathetic ear and tell their story again. I don't want to be cynical, but this feels like a) half of the story to serve a personal agenda, b) precursor to a civil suit by the couple (note the repeated references they made to Dao, c) a reporter with a bit of an agenda (clickbait if you will). All in all, sounds a bit blown out of proportion to me.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412