The drama unfolded when David Dao, a doctor from Louisville, refused a request to give up his seat on the Chicago to Louisville flight in order to accommodate a United crew that needed to get to its next destination.
When he adamantly refused to leave his seat, the plane’s crew summoned Chicago Aviation Security officers who ultimately dragged Dao down the aisle toward the aircraft exist. In the skirmish that ensued, he was bloodied around his mouth.
Footage of the incident soon appeared on the Internet and then major media broadcasts worldwide. Public outrage at United Airlines was widespread.
In his original defense of the airplane crew and security officials on Monday, Munoz characterized Dao’s behavior as “disruptive and belligerent.”
By Wednesday, Munoz totally changed his tune after realizing what a public relations disaster the event was for his airline.
In an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, the embattled CEO was asked what procedure the airline would follow in the future for similar situations.
Asked how the company would deal with a seated passenger who refused voluntarily to leave an overbooked plane based on an offer of monetary or ticket compensation, Munoz was emphatic.
We’re not going to put a law enforcement official to take them off. To remove a booked, paid seated passenger, we can’t do that.”
Munoz also was asked if he planned to step down from his position because of the debacle. Again, he was explicit.
No. I was hired to make United better and we’ve been doing that and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Munoz and United have profusely apologized to Dao, and made it clear they do not think he was at any fault.
No. He can’t be. He was a paying passenger sitting on our seat in our aircraft and no one should be treated that way. Period.”
Because of the incident, the U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating the matter to see if United properly complied with rules on overbooking. One of the security officers involved has been put on leave while the incident is investigated. The Chicago Department of Aviation said it does not condone the officer’s conduct.
Since assuming the helm at United on September 8, 2015, Munoz has had a rocky tenure. He came to the CEO position after serving as a member of the Board of Directors.
Just one month into his leadership, Munoz suffered a heart attack on October 15. On January 6, 2016, he underwent a heart transplant. He returned to work on March 7, 2016.
Source: BBC
Overbooking is an immoral process.
Jacob Johnson I’m not fighting anything.. I am showing official sites for facts.. We know people’s judgement rules above all else, and usually before all facts come out.What i’m saying if united hadn’t been the plane involved, it could have been southwest or any of them who had this same issue of a person insisting not to leave a plane..as they would have called those same people to remove them.. if you study the facts United actually has less overbooks than most airlines. you people act as though it’s 100% airlines fault when i’m sure the fault lies among many here.sadly the eyes are blinded and STARE at only the airlines. and yes their stock is dropping and will continue.. as I said people should be contacting their senators to stop allowing overbooking and then when the rates go up on airlines we can all laugh and point fingers again. the man was mistreated but again the man triggered this abuse..
Your right they could just raise the cost of tickets to cover when plane isn’t full or if someone cancels that makes more sense
Jacob Johnson what a fucking liberal you sound like. That sick perverted man bought a ticket. He agreed to their fucking policy. He refused to comply to law enforcement make his$#%&!@*comply. Oh and Jacob you dumb idiot. If airlines stopped selling out their tickets the prices for everyone would skyrocket. But I’m not shocked you cant understand that conception you dont look like you made it past the 10th grade. Now get off this page you stupid liberal fucking fool