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Security Officers Fired for United Airlines Dragging Episode Security Officers Fired for United Airlines Dragging Episode
(about 1 hour later)
Two airport security officers in Chicago have been fired for their roles in an episode in which a screaming passenger was violently dragged from a United Airlines flight in April — an act that was captured on video, sending the airline into a public relations tailspin.Two airport security officers in Chicago have been fired for their roles in an episode in which a screaming passenger was violently dragged from a United Airlines flight in April — an act that was captured on video, sending the airline into a public relations tailspin.
Chicago’s inspector general, Joseph Ferguson, announced in a quarterly report released Tuesday that, after an investigation, two of the four Chicago Department of Aviation employees involved in the matter had been discharged. The other two employees remain suspended.Chicago’s inspector general, Joseph Ferguson, announced in a quarterly report released Tuesday that, after an investigation, two of the four Chicago Department of Aviation employees involved in the matter had been discharged. The other two employees remain suspended.
The investigation found that three aviation security officers and one aviation security sergeant “mishandled a nonthreatening situation that resulted in a physically violent and forceful removal of a passenger,” Dr. David Dao, on United Airlines Flight 3411 on April 9.The investigation found that three aviation security officers and one aviation security sergeant “mishandled a nonthreatening situation that resulted in a physically violent and forceful removal of a passenger,” Dr. David Dao, on United Airlines Flight 3411 on April 9.
“The investigation also uncovered that the employees made misleading statements and deliberately removed material facts from their reports,” the report stated. As a result, the department terminated the security officer “who improperly escalated the incident” and the sergeant for deliberately removing facts from an employee report. The aviation department did not release the names of the employees.“The investigation also uncovered that the employees made misleading statements and deliberately removed material facts from their reports,” the report stated. As a result, the department terminated the security officer “who improperly escalated the incident” and the sergeant for deliberately removing facts from an employee report. The aviation department did not release the names of the employees.
The people who were fired are appealing their discharges, a spokeswoman for the inspector general said on Tuesday. Because the case is “open and ongoing,” she said she was not allowed to disclose the exact date of their termination.The people who were fired are appealing their discharges, a spokeswoman for the inspector general said on Tuesday. Because the case is “open and ongoing,” she said she was not allowed to disclose the exact date of their termination.
The episode happened because the flight was fully booked and United was trying to transport a four-person flight crew to Louisville, Ky., the destination of Dr. Dao’s flight.The episode happened because the flight was fully booked and United was trying to transport a four-person flight crew to Louisville, Ky., the destination of Dr. Dao’s flight.
When no passengers volunteered their seats for an $800 flight credit, gate agents invoked a process that allowed for certain customers — those who had paid the lowest fares, were not connecting to other flights or had checked in the latest — to be removed from the plane.When no passengers volunteered their seats for an $800 flight credit, gate agents invoked a process that allowed for certain customers — those who had paid the lowest fares, were not connecting to other flights or had checked in the latest — to be removed from the plane.
Security officers forcibly removed Dr. Dao after he refused to give up his seat. He sustained a concussion and a broken nose, and lost two teeth in the episode on a Chicago tarmac, in which his face struck an armrest as he was pulled from his seat. He was then dragged down the aisle by his arms, as his glasses slid down his face and his shirt rode up.Security officers forcibly removed Dr. Dao after he refused to give up his seat. He sustained a concussion and a broken nose, and lost two teeth in the episode on a Chicago tarmac, in which his face struck an armrest as he was pulled from his seat. He was then dragged down the aisle by his arms, as his glasses slid down his face and his shirt rode up.
Dr. Dao, who had threatened to sue United, was paid an undisclosed sum in a settlement with the airline, which took responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411.Dr. Dao, who had threatened to sue United, was paid an undisclosed sum in a settlement with the airline, which took responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411.
Asked for Dr. Dao’s reaction to the firings of the security officers, Thomas Demetrio, his lawyer, said on Tuesday: “He wasn’t asking for that. He’s not celebrating. Two people lost their job, and that’s unfortunate.” But he added that the measures that United, other airlines and the city of Chicago had taken since then had been positive.Asked for Dr. Dao’s reaction to the firings of the security officers, Thomas Demetrio, his lawyer, said on Tuesday: “He wasn’t asking for that. He’s not celebrating. Two people lost their job, and that’s unfortunate.” But he added that the measures that United, other airlines and the city of Chicago had taken since then had been positive.
United announced in late April that it would significantly raise the maximum amount it could offer passengers who voluntarily give up their seats to $10,000, from the $1,350 cap that most airlines use.United announced in late April that it would significantly raise the maximum amount it could offer passengers who voluntarily give up their seats to $10,000, from the $1,350 cap that most airlines use.
The airline also said that it would create a new automated check-in process to let customers note their willingness to give up their seats for compensation and that it would work to reduce the number of overbooked flights. It also said that it planned to create a special team to tackle overbooking problems.The airline also said that it would create a new automated check-in process to let customers note their willingness to give up their seats for compensation and that it would work to reduce the number of overbooked flights. It also said that it planned to create a special team to tackle overbooking problems.
United Airlines responded to a request for comment on Tuesday, but had not replied before publication. United Airlines fielded a request for comment on Tuesday, but had not replied before publication.
Chicago’s Aviation Department said in July that under a new policy, airport security officers would be sent onto planes to respond to a disturbance only at the request of the Chicago Police Department and that the word “police” would be removed from security agents’ uniforms and vehicles. The department conceded that the uniforms had been “improperly” marked.Chicago’s Aviation Department said in July that under a new policy, airport security officers would be sent onto planes to respond to a disturbance only at the request of the Chicago Police Department and that the word “police” would be removed from security agents’ uniforms and vehicles. The department conceded that the uniforms had been “improperly” marked.