40 Tweets Showing How Twitter Reacted to United Dragging a Paying Customer off Its Flight
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Media Lists United
United Airlines really seems to enjoy stirring up controversy. Two weeks ago, they made 10-year-old girls change out of leggings for violating a dress code, and now they literally dragged a paying customer off a flight because they overbooked, and then randomly tried to throw people off the plane. Shane Ryan wrote a terrific piece at Paste about how this recent episode is emblematic of a larger issue with America, and you should read it now if you haven’t yet.
United’s CEO released a tone-deaf statement that has become the norm when America’s corporate giants fuck up—as he acknowledged that someone screwed up, but tried to distance it as much as possible from United, because apparently it’s someone else’s fault that the flight was (allegedly) overbooked and the crew felt the need to kick ticketed passengers off the plane.
United CEO response to United Express Flight 3411. pic.twitter.com/rF5gNIvVd0
— United (@united) April 10, 2017
Re-accommodate is one hell of a nonsense word. These episodes almost seem designed to stir up social media controversy, and there were no shortage of United defenders, so the issue of police violence against minorities took center stage yet again. Most people used the occasion to mock United, but there were plenty of salient points raised throughout the day as well. Here is a sampling of how Twitter reacted to United’s latest high-profile mess:
United Airlines is pleased to announce new seating on all domestic flights- in addition to United First and Economy Plus we introduce…. pic.twitter.com/KQjPClU2d2
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 10, 2017
Dear #united, I had to “re-accommodate” someone once pic.twitter.com/MP3ZJDv85m
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) April 10, 2017
When United Airlines tries to re-accommodate you. pic.twitter.com/6XvDuprgP7
— Sam Kalidi (@samkalidi) April 10, 2017
united’s list of special in-flight deals makes a lot more sense now pic.twitter.com/UvkRVFppKz
— Bob Vulfov (@bobvulfov) April 10, 2017
I like that #united offered a choice of $800 plus a meal voucher or to be beaten/dragged and a $20M lawsuit settlement.
— Alan Greenspan (@spangreen) April 10, 2017
This deer should go to work for #Unitedpic.twitter.com/oNMDjxjjKz
— Jason C. (@CounterMoonbat) April 10, 2017
When you ask for an extra pillow on a @united flight pic.twitter.com/8pqiRcBxTK
— Super Deluxe (@superdeluxe) April 10, 2017
United sure enjoys accommodating passengers pic.twitter.com/TQdXzhlD1v
— Kilgore Trout (@KT_So_It_Goes) April 10, 2017
[Man starts having a heart attack on a United flight]
Attendant: “Is there a doctor on board?”
Ian: “I’m a-“
gets dragged off the flight— Ste(ph)en (@stephenjmolloy) April 10, 2017
Bad airline: “I’ll never fly United again”
Bad car: “I’ll never use Uber again”
Cop murders & dept covers up:
“Only a few bad apples”
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) April 10, 2017
Seen folks say, re: United, “If only he [passenger] would’ve obeyed.”
How fast and how easy we can accept random wanton authority over us.
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) April 10, 2017
Fly the friendly skies with @united#unitedpic.twitter.com/XUEWHSuQ08
— ???????? (@LetsSeeLife) April 10, 2017
If anyone wonders whether we have a policing issue look at #united and tell me that was anywhere near ‘reasonable force’. FFS.
— ConfirmationBiased (@ConfirmedBiased) April 10, 2017
United’s CEO was just named “communicator of the year,” and he used to work for Pepsi.
You can’t make this up.https://t.co/06B1o8K557pic.twitter.com/W2ATBSrClW
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 10, 2017
Don’t know why that United security guard didn’t just give that Asian dude a Pepsi. Would have solved everything.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 10, 2017
I mean if United was just trying to put Neil Gorsuch on that plane I’m sure everyone would be fine with it.
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) April 10, 2017
I happen to think @United acted very Presidential today.
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) April 10, 2017
United: “Come fly our friendly skies!”
Me: “No, I think I’m ok—”
United: drags me to plane by my hair “COME FLY OUR FRIENDLY SKIES.”— Matt Roller (@rolldiggity) April 10, 2017
United has airplanes.
Russia has airplanes.
Therefore, United are Russian.
United scandal removes Trump from news.
QED.— Louising The Plot (@MenschallyIll) April 10, 2017
May the odds be ever in your favor @unitedpic.twitter.com/2vNWOMsFuW
— Taylor Stacy (@StacysADude) April 10, 2017
Hey @united, smart move. You no longer need to worry about overbooking flights anymore. #BoycottUnitedAirlines
— theharpist (@theharpist) April 10, 2017
A note to everyone saying they’ll never fly United- they are also part of the Star Alliance group which comprises the following airlines: pic.twitter.com/w4eFuil40L
— Zubat, shoukan (@PuellaMagiZubat) April 10, 2017
me: (frantically trying to get in buzzfeeds “35 must-see tweets about united” post) i bet that doctors handwriting will be evern worse now
— jon hendren (@fart) April 10, 2017
United is dumb as hell for not turning this into a marketing opportunity
“United: planes so comfy we’ll have to drag you away”
— abdul ???? (@Advil) April 10, 2017
Getting ready for my United Airlines flight. pic.twitter.com/UX9j7lLPft
— Johnathan Randall (@MrJRan) April 10, 2017
downcast Uber CEO: I guess I probably had the worst month of any transportation executive
United CEO: Please re-accommodate my beer
— Alex Burns (@alexburnsNYT) April 10, 2017
.@united: We’re overbooked
Me: okay cool
United: choose your weapon
Me: wait wh-
United: Too late, time to die.— rachel leishman (@RachelLeishman) April 10, 2017
New United statement:
We would like to offer an actual apology but our apologies department is overbooked so we offer an apology voucher.— Joseph Scrimshaw (@JosephScrimshaw) April 10, 2017
@united sorry my phone is overbooked. #DeleteUnitedpic.twitter.com/Xqkv9GtZWK
— Donny (@donny_140) April 10, 2017
I’m feeling pretty nostalgic watching Twitter return to its roots as a platform to complain about United.
— Dave Pell (@davepell) April 10, 2017
Your first day on a United flight you either kick someone’s ass or become someone’s bitch and then it’ll be okay
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) April 10, 2017
CEO of @United says “I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers.” pic.twitter.com/5R38GAGr9c
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 10, 2017
People are justifiably pissed at United right now but we should look at the insane protection the whole industry enjoys courtesy of Congress
— Leon Wolf (@LeonHWolf) April 10, 2017
this united thing is apparently a big thing. been offline, get this text pic.twitter.com/AuMdZeMlwi
— ?_? (@MikeIsaac) April 10, 2017
A thoughtful thread on the @United travesty that’s worth your next two minutes. ???????? https://t.co/STnwyR877H
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 10, 2017
2014: “We can’t force anyone to get up”
2017: @united dragged a passenger offORD??SDF. $800 & hotel.
No volunteers. Future leverage gone pic.twitter.com/us1tJwEGNO— Matt Rodewald FOX 10 (@Matt_Fox10) April 10, 2017
Called and cancelled my @united card. pic.twitter.com/7gWQcL8s3e
— nate bowling (@nate_bowling) April 10, 2017
Great brochure opportunity @unitedpic.twitter.com/fOJ4L3FkCC
— Bear Clifton (@bearclifton) April 10, 2017
When stories like this united debacle that are obviously about race are imagined to be about everything else, that’s how they recur.
— ?? (@umairh) April 10, 2017
@united A gentle suggestion: pic.twitter.com/VhvFIc4QO3
— Jon Spaihts (@jonspaihts) April 10, 2017
Jacob Weindling is Paste’s business and media editor, as well as a staff writer for politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling.