On April 11, a United Airlines flight ran into a scheduling situation that — at least in the words of an airline spokesmen — forced the airline into an “involuntary de-boarding situation.” Essentially what happened was United needed to get some crew to Louisville and they needed to make some space on the flight. When no one volunteered, the passenger was forcibly ejected with the help of local law enforcement. The pictures and video captured by fellow passengers is disturbing. But, overbooking and then forcibly ejecting passengers is all totally legal, and it’s just one way to get kicked off a flight when you’re already sitting in your seat with your seat belt fastened. Here are a few more.
1. Sit In Your Assigned Seat
Just a few days ago, United Airlines kicked a couple off their flight who were actually headed to their destination wedding in Honolulu. There reason for kicking the couple? Sitting in the wrong seats. When Michael Hohl and Amber Maxwell reached their flight, they were the last to board. Unfortunately, when they got to their seats, they discovered someone sprawled out across their assigned seats. Rather than bother the flight’s crew, the couple chose some empty seats a few rows up. According to the airlines, those seats were more expensive than the ones the couple originally paid for. When they refused to pay the difference, they were kicked off the flight.
