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United Passenger Bites Flight Attendant: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

On April 9, 2017, Dr. David Dao, a Vietnamese-American physician, was forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight after refusing to give up his seat for United employees. The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked outrage and led to a significant backlash against the airline.

In this article, we will delve into the United passenger biting incident, examining the events leading up to it, the consequences it had, and the lessons that can be learned from this unfortunate episode.

Section 1: The Incident

The incident occurred on United Flight 3411, which was scheduled to depart from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky. As the flight was preparing for takeoff, United announced that it needed four seats to accommodate employees who were needed in Louisville.

Several passengers volunteered to give up their seats, but Dao refused. United then invoked its policy of "involuntary denied boarding," allowing them to remove passengers from the flight if necessary. When Dao refused to comply, airport security personnel were called and forcibly removed him from the plane.

During the removal, Dao was dragged down the aisle, sustaining serious injuries, including a concussion, a broken nose, and lost teeth. A fellow passenger, Julie Yingling, recorded the incident on her cell phone, and the video quickly went viral.

Section 2: Consequences

The United passenger biting incident had significant consequences for both Dao and United Airlines.

Consequences for Dao:

Dr. Dao suffered physical and emotional trauma as a result of the incident.
He filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, alleging assault, battery, and false imprisonment.
The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed sum, but Dao was reportedly awarded millions of dollars in compensation.

Consequences for United Airlines:

United Airlines faced widespread public outrage and criticism.
The airline's stock price dropped significantly following the incident.
United's CEO, Oscar Munoz, initially defended the actions of the airline but later apologized for the incident.
United instituted several policy changes in response to the incident, including a new policy on overbooking and a ban on involuntary denied boarding.

Section 3: Lessons Learned

The United passenger biting incident highlights the importance of several key lessons:

1. Customer Service Matters:**

Airlines must prioritize customer service and treat passengers with respect. United's failure to do so in this case had disastrous consequences.

2. Overbooking Can Backfire:**

Airlines should avoid overbooking flights, as it can lead to situations where passengers are involuntarily removed.

3. Use Force as a Last Resort:**

Airport security personnel should use force only as a last resort and only when absolutely necessary.

4. Apologize and Address Concerns:**

When an incident occurs, airlines should apologize promptly and sincerely. They should also be transparent about what happened and take steps to address the concerns of passengers.

**Section 4: Stepping Forward**

In the wake of the United passenger biting incident, several positive steps have been taken:

United Airlines has implemented new policies to improve customer service and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

The Department of Transportation has issued new regulations to protect passengers from being involuntarily removed from flights.

Airports have increased security to prevent passengers from being forcibly removed from planes.

**Section 5: Conclusion**

The United passenger biting incident was a shocking and disturbing event that had serious consequences for those involved. However, the incident also served as a catalyst for positive change in the airline industry. By learning from the mistakes of the past, airlines and airports can work together to create a safer and more customer-friendly flying experience for all.

Tables

Table 1: United Airlines Stock Performance Post-Incident

Date Stock Price

April 9, 2017 $74.35

April 10, 2017 $72.50

April 11, 2017 $70.85

April 12, 2017 $69.20

Table 2: Customer Service Satisfaction Ratings for Major Airlines

Airline Rating

Southwest Airlines 85%

Delta Air Lines 80%

United Airlines 74%

American Airlines 72%

Spirit Airlines 65%

Table 3: DOT Regulations to Protect Passengers from Involuntary Denied Boarding

Regulation Description

14 CFR Part 250.5 Requires airlines to compensate passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding.

14 CFR Part 250.7 Prohibits airlines from involuntarily denying boarding to passengers with disabilities.

14 CFR Part 250.9 Requires airlines to provide passengers with advance notice of involuntary denied boarding.

Call to Action

As passengers, we can also play a role in preventing incidents like the United passenger biting incident from happening again. We can:

Be respectful and cooperative with airline staff.

Understand airlines' policies and regulations.

Advocate for our rights as passengers.

Support airlines that prioritize customer service.

By working together, we can create a more positive and safe flying experience for all.

Date	Stock Price
April 9, 2017	$74.35
April 10, 2017	$72.50
April 11, 2017	$70.85
April 12, 2017	$69.20

Airline	Rating
Southwest Airlines	85%
Delta Air Lines	80%
United Airlines	74%
American Airlines	72%
Spirit Airlines	65%

Regulation	Description
14 CFR Part 250.5	Requires airlines to compensate passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding.
14 CFR Part 250.7	Prohibits airlines from involuntarily denying boarding to passengers with disabilities.
14 CFR Part 250.9	Requires airlines to provide passengers with advance notice of involuntary denied boarding.