I'm picking up a thread of discussion that was first raised a few weeks ago by talk show host Dennis Prager. There has been a lot of reporting about incidents where airline passengers were stuck on planes at airports for hours while the airline company and airport staff dithered about whether or how to let the passengers off of the plane.
My question is simple. At what point should the passengers politely but firmly declare the following or its equivalent?: "This is enough. We are opening the doors and getting off of this plane. We are not remaining here under these conditions."
There is something disturbing about the docile behavior of passengers who will sit on a hot and smelly airplane for hours while being fed bureaucratic evasions from the staff. Likewise, a powerful and uplifting message would be sent if the passengers refused to tolerate what amounts to abuse.
5 comments:
It's my understanding that disobeying a flight crew is a crime. What airplane traveler has the means to undergo that particular bit of trouble? Also, if the traveler gets off the plane against the wishes of the bureaucrats, what is the likelyhood they would be allowed back on without paying for another ticket?
True, the passenger may indeed have the "right" to demand to be allowed off the plane, but there is no "right" of the passenger to demand reentry once they've left.
I suspect that's the gap the recently discussed passenger bill of rights legislation is meant to address. Though a reasonable and common sense request of the passenger, the corporation would loose money (either in the form of seats given away, or additional time taken to disembark and reembark the plane). What MBA wouldn't resist that until the law forces it?
Paul,
Thanks for your comments. I believe anyone deciding to get off of a plane under those circumstances should expect to be arrested. At the same time, I'm not sure if the government would be, given the circumstances, eager to prosecute. The airline would have gained terrible publicity and public sympathy would be with the passengers.
We constantly hear calls for smaller Government. Well, here you are. During the days of Airline Regulation, things like this didn't happen because the Airlines were strictly controlled as to their behavior. But, while prices dropped with de-regulation, so did responsibility. Time to decide, America. Do you want to risk sitting on a runway or tarmac for 9+ hours, or do you want to have more government? Your call...
Michael,
That would be cold comfort for the soul brave enough to demand passage out of that situation forced to spend the night in the county lock-up with drunks and robbers. Doubly so for the parent with child who would then to deal with the prying eyes of the social welfare system.
So, you ask why put up with the abuse? Because the alternatives are far, far more grievous and those who can afford to travel on airplanes often have much to loose in such a confrontation, bad press for the government and the airlines notwithstanding.
These are interesting comments. Obviously, not everyone, for whatever reason, would choose to get off the plane. I hope though that not everyone would choose to stay on the plane. Government regulations aside, I believe there should be an ethical and practical limit to how long airline passengers are expected to remain on an airplane.
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