United Is Why People Hate Capitalism

[Rolfe]

This is good.

United Is Why People Hate Capitalism

Capitalism is unpopular for four reasons: banks, health-insurance companies, cable providers, and airlines.
These all have something in common.

Airlines are in the wringer this week, with United shaming itself in spectacular fashion: Having overbooked a flight and seated the passengers, the company found itself needing four seats—not for paying customers but for airline employees who needed to be moved to another airport. When they did not find any takers for their paltry travel-voucher offers, they simply dispatched armed men to the airplane to force paying customers off, in a now-famous case, literally dragging one of them away.

United Is Why People Hate Capitalism

 

[carpro]

Lousy way to do business.

 

[rlvaughn]

When they did not find any takers for their paltry travel-voucher offers...

I think overbooking and forced disembarking is wrong -- in other words, United, you overbooked, it is your problem and you & your employees should suffer the consequences and not other passengers, but...

$800 doesn't seem paltry to me. Under almost any circumstances I could have been traveling I would have taken a delay, the $800, a free night motel stay and a flight the next day. (I am not saying the travelers forced off should have done that, just that I would.)

[Easily spoken by someone whose life doesn't depend on flying.]

 

[just-want-peace]

Don't blame "capitalism", blame the company! I shudder to thing the loss of revenue to United because of this. That is not gov't interfering, just the old principle of "supply and demand"! "Capitalism" at it's best when the consumer decide the winners & losers, not the gov't!

 

[HankD]

Capitalism or Communism? That is the question.

HankD

 

[Squire Robertsson]

United seems to be reaping the unintended consequences of its contractor's actions.

 

[Happy]

Capitalism ~

an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

United Is Why People Hate Capitalism

Personally I prefer Capitalism over Socialism / Communism / Marxist theory

With Capitalism one has the opportunity to NOT participate in an others service or Start their own service in a manner they elect and become a competitor.

Problem you overlook is ~ the government dictates the laws, regulations and governance of the four businesses you mentioned (banks, health-insurance companies, cable providers, and airlines).

Your post is more about "policy", of a particular airline over-booking then having an issue and HOW they handled it. All airlines "over-book" at a given opportunity. It's the trade off, for booking a flight, and having to deal with people who "cancel", and the time is late to fill the void.

 

[Happy]

I think overbooking and forced disembarking is wrong -- in other words, United, you overbooked, it is your problem and you & your employees should suffer the consequences and not other passengers, but...

$800 doesn't seem paltry to me. Under almost any circumstances I could have been traveling I would have taken a delay, the $800, a free night motel stay and a flight the next day. (I am not saying the travelers forced off should have done that, just that I would.)

[Easily spoken by someone whose life doesn't depend on flying.]

Their "employees" are those who service the flight ~ unknowing to all the facts ~ those four "employees" not being at a necessary destination may have prevented a whole plane full of "passengers" from not departing and arriving at their destination.

Perhaps offering 4 passengers a voucher was a better alternative than delaying a plane full of passengers. (all facts not known, but then they never are in a "news" article)

Agree ~ the airlines offer was not paltry.

 

[InTheLight]

$800 doesn't seem paltry to me. Under almost any circumstances I could have been traveling I would have taken a delay, the $800, a free night motel stay and a flight the next day. (I am not saying the travelers forced off should have done that, just that I would.)

I don't know about that. Supposing you paid $500 for your ticket. Suppose it's your anniversary and you have a dinner date with your wife planned that night. Or it's your 8 year old child's birthday party that night. Or pick a scenario. Here comes an airline asking you do give that up and oh, by the way, here's a net of $300 for your trouble.

 

[Rolfe]

Judging from a few of the posts, I wonder how many read the article before commenting on it.

 

[carpro]

Man dragged off United flight plans to sue: lawyers - Breitbart


Man dragged off United flight plans to sue: lawyers


Chicago (AFP) – The man dragged off a United Airlines flight, sparking an international uproar, suffered a broken nose and concussion, his lawyer said Thursday, adding that he is planning to sue.

David Dao was released from the hospital overnight and was at a “secure location,” attorney Thomas Demetrio said at a news conference during which a member of Dao’s family spoke out for the first time.

United remained under a spotlight Thursday as representatives of the carrier faced tough questioning at a city council hearing in Chicago, where the airline is headquartered and where the incident occurred.

 

[InTheLight]

I also read that he lost two front teeth.

 

[HankD]

United Is Why People Hate Capitalism

Fallacy: United is the representative of capitalism.

HankD

 

[Rob_BW]

I also read that he lost two front teeth.

Those in defense are assumed to have a 3:1 advantage. I believe 3 guys came in to remove the doctor.

Unless life, limb, or eyesight was in danger, I ain't taking those odds. Even if they're not brawling, just trying to eject you, there's way too much risk. One slip and you could end up dead.