You Knew I'd have to Say Something

Back in ancient times when I was a young gal working at an airline and people were generally civilized there was something called Rule 240.

Allow me to explain. I was working at a time when deregulation occurred. 
One of the worst ideas in my humble opinion to happen to aviation. 
(2nd is Reagan breaking up the air traffic controllers union and getting an airport named after him!)
But most of the rules still applied for a long time after. 
One of those rules was Rule 240.
It was well known in the industry. Customers didn't know it but we working in the trenches sure did.

I recall while working for Piedmont Commuter that we had a full flight. 
We had to get a couple of the crew to Detroit. The first thing that was done was announce/ask if anyone wanted to give up their seat and explained all they would get for doing so. No one came forward for a financial voucher and the next flight later in the day.
So I checked another carrier that could take this crew to Detroit. Viola, we could get them there around the same time on another carrier. We wrote the tickets (which ticket agents don't even know how to do anymore) and the 2 lines went across it diagonally showing this was a Rule 240. That meant Piedmont Commuter was going to pay Republic (now owned by Delta) airlines a fee for flying their crew to their destinations.

Imagine how awful it was that we never were able to beat anyone senseless, drag their bodies off the plane, we couldn't humiliate them or basically tell them the beating was their fault. How bad of us to accommodate a paying passenger. 

Back in the day when the airlines had this in their contracts, it was all done nicely, politely and calmly. Not something that is ever done with the word airline anymore.  Also at that time it only applied for use due to a delay (mechanical perhaps) or canceled flight not weather or an act of God. So you just couldn't whip this out willy-nilly. 

Once when Rick was traveling for work they pulled this on him. He called me and told me what was going on and that he wouldn't be home that night. I told him to ask to speak to the counter manager and ask for a Rule 240. I told him to act like he knew about this and that they had to do it. I explained it and he said he'd try and let me know. This was 2000. 
It was my understanding that some airlines still held this verbiage in their contract and if forced they would do it. But most often they acted like it didn't exist or 'gasp' they would have to accommodate their passengers and even worse, pay for the ticket for said customer.
It worked, Rick got home that night. UA still had that option in their contract at the time and did the right thing, but only when forced to by someone with the knowledge. They even asked him how he knew this. OOH they were not happy.
He told them he was a frequent flier who just knew his rights. 😛

Does UA still have this in their contract? Who knows but I think it's doubtful. But either way, they did the wrong thing. Bumping paying customers who did not take their offer of the next day's flight and money just to get your crew on board is wrong. Did they not see the flight was full and try to make arrangements otherwise for this crew? Could some sit in a jump seat (I've done that before) Did they even try? I wonder.

Aside from this man being dragged off the plan and humiliated the CEO's remarks and lack of apology is what really makes me angry. Once again the trump affect. I can do whatever the hell I want and screw you. Doesn't matter if it is wrong on a human level, moral level, a business level or any level except mine.

Yep, I think it's safer to drive these days.