United Airlines has recently been under a lot of scrutiny again after staff overbooked a flight and then forcibly removed a passenger from it. Although many have publicly expressed their outrage towards the airline, others feel that the Chicago police should also receive some flack over the incident.
This is on @united and the @Chicago_Police. Arrest those cops and boycott @united. #UnitedAirlines pic.twitter.com/2BgOYwqPyl
— D-Lucks (@DLucksDS) April 10, 2017
So @united sucks. But the Chicago police who dragged the man off the flight are also monsters. Police using unnecessary force, again.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) April 10, 2017
I don't know who I'm disgusted w/most. @united or @Chicago_Police for the savage removal of a man on United flight #BoycottUnitedAirlines
— Amanda Arana (@plantbasdfoodie) April 10, 2017
Let's not let the Chicago Police off the hook here and just blame United. What right do the police have to punch that man in the face?
— coganut (@Coganuts) April 10, 2017
The airline reportedly tried to get volunteers to change their flight in order to make room for employees who had to be on board; however, nobody was willing to do so. They decided to remove one couple and get them to book another flight. The man, who was a doctor, said that he couldn’t change his flight because he had to be at work the next day.
Mental note to never fly @united just in case they overbook and randomly pick me & drag me off like a criminal. pic.twitter.com/ekNgx7oiRy
— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) April 10, 2017
.@united This is the response from Chicago Police: He fell 😐 pic.twitter.com/RErsERUdqm
— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) April 10, 2017
According to a statement given by a United Airline’s spokesperson, the staff on board the plane notified Chicago police after the passengers refused to get off. Three police officers arrived on the scene, one in regular clothing and two wearing a uniform, and proceeded to pull the passenger from his seat. The man, whose mouth was bleeding after the struggle was dragged off of the plane by one of the officers.
The Chicago Police Department gave a statement on Tuesday, saying that their officers tried carrying the man off the plane but he fell.
We've seen the video, @Chicago_Police Your statement is a flat out lie. https://t.co/e1YVUmkCc7
— Shayera Tangri (@shayera) April 10, 2017
Hi @Chicago_Police for planning purposes could you tell us when you’re releasing your apology for this statement? https://t.co/nydDaZeBj5
— Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) April 10, 2017
Chicago PD statement on the United passenger is a model of why so many people don't trust police statements pic.twitter.com/Xs3HjCpJos
— Harry Siegel (@harrysiegel) April 10, 2017
They also stated that the man’s head hit the armrest, which caused minor injuries to his face. He was transported to Luteran General Hospital as a precaution and his injuries were deemed non-life threatening. The police department directed people’s attention to the aviation police department for additional information about the incident. Officials did not state whether the manner in which the passenger was handled was a violation of the department’s policy or if the officers who were called to the scene will be disciplined for their actions.