Representatives of U.S. airlines testified Tuesday at a House Transportation Committee hearing convened after the scandal that erupted on April 9 when a United passenger was manhandled and dragged off a flight by airport police before takeoff after refusing to give up his seat voluntarily to free up seats to transport airline crew members. The airlines should then start to make a change.
Eight of the House's ten 10 recipients of airline transport campaign contributions in 2016 are on the Transportation Committee, including Shuster, the panel's top Democrat, Rep. Peter DeFazio of OR, and the chairman of its aviation subcommittee, Rep.
Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.), the ranking Democrat on the committee: "Very few passengers have any idea what their rights are", he said, noting that 40,000 ticketed passengers were bumped from their flights a year ago.
The CEO of United Airlines faced an angry House Transportation Committee this morning, apologizing to the world for Dr. David Dao being forcibly removed and beaten up on an April 9 flight so that a United flight crew could board a booked flight.
Some lawmakers - and frequent flyers - are acknowledging that airline executives are in a tough spot as they testify before lawmakers at a hearing on problems with US air travel.
"No customer or individual should ever be treated the way Mr. Dao was, ever, and we understand that", Munoz said.
The hearing at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee broke little new ground as airlines explained how they are striving to reduce bumping of passengers from flights and selling more tickets than seats on planes.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Florida Democrat, said airline officials at the more than three-hour hearing "probably feel a lot like airline passengers: very claustrophobic and waiting for something bad to happen". Munoz said United has adjusted its policies as a result, and will now limit the use of law enforcement to security issues only. David Dao, the 69-year-old passenger, didn't want to give up his seat.
The hearing is on the oversight of USA airline customer service, and will deal with consumer protection for passengers. United will be reducing overbooked flights and offering up to $10,000 to passengers willing to give up their seats. Munoz has spoken up in media interviews and has sent his own memos to United's customers, apologizing and promising changes that he says will improve service.
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United moved to head off criticism last week by reaching a confidential settlement with Dao and issuing new policies created to prevent customer- service failures.
"We're here today to look and hear about where we can prod push or legislate to get better service for passengers", said Rep. Peter Defazio (D) Oregon RELATED: United's full review of passenger incidentUnited Airlines' CEO Oscar Munoz was up first and the star witness.
"What happened on United Express flight 3411 can not happen again", said Rep. Rick Larsen, a Washington Democrat who is his party's senior member on the committee's aviation subcommittee.
And suddenly it's as if all the airlines have been abusing their customers who have no choice but to fly with them.
"I expect that number to go down 80% because of that policy change", he said. That same day, it also announced it reached a confidential settlement with Dao, a Kentucky physician.
Munoz is one of four US airline executives to appear at the hearing on Capitol Hill.
Dao, who lost two front teeth as he was dragged by his wrists after refusing to give up the seat he had purchased and paid for, has said he is proud of the changes.
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, left, and United Airlines President Scott Kirby, prepare to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, to testify before a House Transportation Committee oversight hearing.
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