NCAPA Members Respond to Removal of United Passenger

The following NCAPA members, as well as Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) chair Rep. Judy Chu, responded to the forced and violent removal of passenger Dr. David Dao from a United Airlines flight on Sunday, April 9, 2017.

OCA Demands Answers Regarding Removal of United Passenger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 April 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates demands answers regarding the violent removal of a United passenger.

On Sunday, April 9, prior to the departure of United Airlines flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville, a passenger was violently removed from the aircraft as a result of the airline overbooking the flight and not having enough room for other crewmembers. Chicago Department of Aviation security officers pulled the victim, David Dao, who identified himself as Asian and a doctor, out of his seat and dragged him down the aisle to the exit. Dao then attempted to return to the aircraft with his face bruised and bloody, visibly shaken and repeating “just kill me” and “I have to go home.” United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz only offered an apology for having to “re-accomodate these customers,” with no mention of the violence involved in the removal. In a separate email on Monday night, Munoz was dismissive about the passenger and stood behind the policies and procedures of the airline.

In response to the incident, OCA is sending a letter to United Airlines, the Chicago Department of Aviation, and the U.S. Department of Transportation demanding a complete audit of the incident. OCA is also calling for Congressional hearings in both the House and Senate to investigate ticket sales and boarding processes by United and other airlines.

“We were deeply disturbed by the videos of the United Airlines passenger, who was a victim of the company’s poor booking policies, being violently dragged from the airplane. This episode reflects very poorly on our country and demonstrates a lack of judgment responsible of several parties. In responding to this incident, United should be conducting a thorough and objective investigation, addressing the incident directly, and apologizing for the vicious way it was handled. The Chicago Department of Aviation should also be held accountable for why their officers felt it necessary to use violence to remove the passenger,” says Ken Lee, CEO.

“Indeed, the optics of a bloodied elderly Asian man being forcibly removed from his seat is something we cannot ignore. Regardless of race or background, all individuals’ rights and freedoms must be protected within the system. This incident is a clear example of authorities using excessive force. We demand answers from United Airlines and the Chicago Department of Aviation. We look forward to hearing from the various governmental agencies in regard to this incident.”

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs).

SEARAC Condemns United Airlines Treatment of Vietnamese American Doctor, Blasts "Clickbait" Media

SEARAC demands that United Airlines take accountability for the assault on Dr. David Dao at the hands of transit police. Dr. Dao, a Vietnamese American physician, grandfather, and father of five, was bloodied and dragged by the arms from an overbooked flight from Chicago to Louisville.

Executive Director Quyen Dinh stated, "Dr. Dao deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and instead United Airlines allowed him to be assaulted and humiliated simply because he did not want to give up the seat that he rightfully paid for. We also condemn the media's clickbait and victim-blaming response to portray Dr. Dao as a criminal. Dr. Dao's past is entirely irrelevant, and he deserves the same right to dignity and safety as anyone else."

Dinh continued, "Deliberate overbooking policies prioritize profits over people. The apology that United Airlines issued yesterday for the way Dr. Dao was treated is a step in the right direction, and we demand that the airline review its booking and de-escalation policies to ensure the human rights and safety of all passengers. We also demand an apology and investigation of the Chicago Aviation Department police who brutalized Dr. Dao."

APALA Responds to Upsetting Removal of Airline Passenger

Washington, DC – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) is outraged by the unnecessary, forcible removal of a passenger on a United Express flight operated by Republic Airways by airport security officers that occurred last Sunday.

“Incidents like these are deeply upsetting,” stated Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930. “It could have easily been resolved by peaceful means. No one deserves to be treated that way! It was a needless act of brutality yet again on a person of color."

APALA Executive Director Gregory Cendana added: “Resistance to ‘authorities’ of the carceral state does not justify violence against our bodies. This incident is another example in the larger narrative on how people of color are devalued, dehumanized, and criminalized in our society. We demand accountability for the officer’s actions and will continue to put people over profit -- and in this case, the profit of the airline.”

"We do not condone the actions of the officer involved. There are tens of thousands of amazing airline employees who provide excellent customer service, and the airline's policy failed them,” continued Hester. “Even after public apologies, airlines should not only reform policies, like the overbooking practice, that can impact their workers’ day to day interactions with passengers, but also represent their dedication to their workers properly throughout these processes.”

Cendana concluded: “What is even more disturbing, however, is a growing police state emboldened to use force and violence. Airlines and airports are increasingly becoming places where brown and black communities feel more and more unsafe. We challenge these institutions to proactively address issues of discrimination and racism, and to denounce acts of violence that they may encounter in their workplaces.”

BLOG: Uniting After United - Asian Americans should use this episode to bring our communities around to standing against injustice every time we see it by John C. Yang, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC

NaFFAA’s Response to United Airlines Passenger Removal

Washington, DC – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) was disappointed by the conduct exhibited by Chicago aviation security officers by removing a passenger from United Airlines flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville.
Security officers not only forcibly pulled David Dao, a 69-year-old Asian doctor, out of his seat, but inhumanely dragged him down the aisle to the exit. His face was bruised and bloodied, and he appeared visibly shaken by the incident. NaFFAA believes that no human deserves to be unfairly targeted, or experience such treatment during any travel, especially when the use of violence can be avoided.

NaFFAA also reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness around legal rights and protections, especially for Filipino Americans and immigrant communities. Filipinos and Filipino Americans are among the most frequent air passengers. According to Visa, Inc., Filipinos spent approximately $10 billion dollars in airline expenses in 2015. Consequently, the Filipino American community stresses air safety and passenger dignity for all travelers.

In his original tone-deaf apology, United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz failed to acknowledge the violence and stood behind its corporate policies. Contrary to actual video footage, Mr. Munoz categorized Dr. Dao as “disruptive” and “belligerent.” Initially, Mr. Munoz appeared to shift all responsibility to the paid passenger.

“The use of unnecessary violence is inexcusable, and all passengers should be given the respect and safety that they deserve from any airline” said Brendan Flores, NaFFAA National Chairman. “We strongly urge the Department of Transportation to revisit its standards and regulations surrounding the training of aviation employees and contractors charged with the well-being and security of passengers. The use of force should always be the last resort.”

Unfortunately, United Airlines had other options to defuse the overbooking situation, but regrettably declined. The Chicago Aviation Department confirmed that the “incident on United flight 3411 was not in accordance with our standard operating procedure and the actions of the aviation security officer are obviously not condoned by the Department.” NaFFAA supports calls for Congress and the Department of Transportation to determine better approaches for interacting with passengers and avoiding acrimonious boarding situations like the one Dr. Dao suffered.

CAPAC Chair Calls for Answers Regarding Removal of Asian American Passenger from United Airlines Flight

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) sent a letter to United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, raising concerns over the violent removal of an Asian American passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 3411. Chair Chu also sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that she disclose any findings of DOT’s review of this incident. CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu released the following statement:

“I am deeply disturbed by the footage of a ticketed United Airlines passenger being forcibly removed from his flight. U.S. airlines should ensure the safety of their passengers. In this instance, the mistreatment of an Asian American passenger in order to accommodate United’s employees resulted in serious physical injury and an appalling abuse of rights. As more details regarding this incident continue to emerge – including the recent revelation that the flight was not oversold – we are left with more questions than answers.

“I sent a letter to United Airlines and the U.S. Department Transportation asking for complete clarity behind this matter, including answers as to why violent force was necessary to remove this passenger, and whether any Federal laws or regulations were violated during this horrific incident. I look forward to a prompt response to these letters. No passenger should feel unsafe while flying.”A full copy of both letters are below.

Letter to Oscar Munoz, Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines:

April 11, 2017

Mr. Oscar Munoz
Chief Executive Officer
United Airlines
233 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Dear Mr. Munoz:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I write to express serious concern regarding the handling of an overbooked United Airlines flight during which an Asian American passenger was forcibly removed from the aircraft.

Over the past few days, multiple videos have surfaced online of aviation security officers violently removing David Dao from his seat aboard United Airlines Flight 3411. According to multiple news reports, this incident occurred after United Airlines attempted to bump four ticketed passengers from a Chicago to Louisville flight in order to accommodate its own employees. Four passengers, including Dr. Dao, were randomly selected for removal. However, after Dr. Dao questioned these efforts, he was aggressively thrown to the ground and dragged off the flight by aviation officials.

United’s public response to this situation has resulted in more questions than answers. Although overbooking is a common practice among many commercial airline carriers and is not illegal, I am deeply concerned by the disturbing actions taken by United to remove Dr. Dao.

I am also concerned by the internal memo you sent to United Airlines employees earlier this week during which you noted that crewmembers “followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this.”

In order to better understand how exactly United’s “established procedures” led to this disturbing treatment of a ticketed passenger, I request your response to the following questions:

1. Under what specific conditions in United’s current procedures are violent uses of force acceptable to the airlines and aviation security personnel?

2. Which of the aforementioned conditions were met in this situation that led to the violent removal of United Airlines passenger Dr. David Dao?

3. Does United Airlines plan to implement any policy changes as a result of this incident?

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

JUDY CHU
Member of Congress
CAPAC Chair

Letter to Secretary Elaine Chao, Department of Transportation:

April 11, 2017

The Honorable Elaine Chao
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Chao:

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I write to urge the Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough investigation into the alarming handling of an overbooked United Airlines flight during which an Asian American passenger was forcibly removed from the aircraft.

According to multiple news reports, United Airlines wanted to bump four ticketed passengers from a Chicago to Louisville flight in order to accommodate four of its own employees. The airline allegedly offered passengers vouchers up to $800 before randomly selecting four passengers for removal. One passenger, Dr. David Dao, questioned these efforts and was violently dragged off the flight by aviation security.

United Airlines’ public response to this situation has resulted in more questions than answers. Although overbooking is a common practice among many commercial airline carriers and is not illegal, I am deeply concerned by the disturbing actions taken aboard United Airlines Flight 3411 to remove Dr. Dao.

While I understand that your Department is currently reviewing this case, it is imperative that we have more information on the industry practices that led to this particular incident and whether these policies meet Federal standards. Your Department is uniquely positioned to protect passengers from such gross violations of their basic rights. I request that you share any findings from your review with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, including whether any Federal laws or regulations were violated during this incident.