As of this writing, Dr. David Dao, the passenger who was bodily dragged off of a united airlines flight in full view of a number of cell phone cameras, is still in the hospital recovering from the injuries he received at the hands of airport security. He has lawyered up with the apparent intention of seeking redress for what happened to him in the courts. TMZ reports that Dao’s injuries could have been easily prevented, according to flight attendants who noted that the arm rests on the seat where Dr. Dao was sitting could have been removed so that he could be extracted without bloodying him up.
Mind, the flight attendants agreed that Dao ought to have been removed, but are just incensed about how it was done and how it looked on social media.
An argument has broken out on talk radio and in social media about how Dr. Dao should have behaved. Some people, while agreeing that the airline and the security personnel acted outrageously, think that Dao, when it came to the point when the officers were going to use force, should have complied to avoid escalating the situation.
The argument has some validity. We teach our children to behave to police officers with courtesy and restraint, even if they feel their rights are being violated. The street is not a good venue for arguing over law enforcement conduct.
That discussion can cone later, in a courtroom.
On the other hand, there is something endearing about a stubborn man not so much standing up but sitting down for his rights. He had paid for his ticket and had been duly seated. United Airlines violated every maxim of customer service by demanding that Dao give up his seat and wait another day before he could get home to see his patients.
A way should have been found that did not involve violence.
A couple of closing points follow.
If Dr. Dao had meekly left the plane, we would not have witnessed a start example of an airline’s brutal approach to customer service. The sight of the man being dragged screaming down the aisle before the shocked eyes of the other passengers has become a worldwide meme and may lead, at long last, to reforms.
Also, remember the old adage about the difference between doctors and God. God, despite the fact he occasionally known to engage in miraculous healing, knows that he is not a doctor. The security officers should have known that they were dealing with a man who is not used to complying with the demands of lesser mortals, even if they carry badges.
