Video posted to social media shows the man screaming as security personnel pry him out of his chair, causing his head to bash against an armrest. He’s then dragged down the aisle on his back as horrified witnesses film on their phones and scream out in disgust.
According to witnesses, airline staff were initially looking for one volunteer to give up a seat before the flight from Chicago to Louisville boarded. Passengers were offered $400 and a hotel stay.
Witnesses stated that after the flight boarded, staff announced that they now needed four people to volunteer to give up seats for United employees (not due to overbooking as United claimed). The amount was increased to $800, and passengers were told the plane wouldn’t leave until four people volunteered.
When nobody offered, staff announced a computer would select four people. One couple cooperated and left. The man who was later to be brutalized by the airline was also selected.
United later released a cold-hearted statement, saying, "one customer refused to leave the aircraft voluntarily and law enforcement was asked to come to the gate. We apologize for the overbook situation. Further details on the removed customer should be directed to authorities.”
When the airline's attempt to deflect blame to "authorities" failed, United CEO Oscar Muñoz was forced to put out an additional statement, apologizing for having to “re-accommodate these customers.” Muñoz later tried to blame the beat-up customer, labeling him as "belligerent".
In response, many are vowing to never do business with the airline again. The incident also comes just two weeks after the company found itself in hot water for refusing to allow three girls to board a flight because they were wearing leggings.
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