United Airlines realizes it’s been 5 years since passenger last dragged off plane; plans to commemorate event

CHICAGO, IL – It’s been just over 5 years since United Airlines last drug a passenger off a flight and the company is looking to commemorate the infamous incident known as “bumpgate” that saw Dr. David Dao drug off a flight after getting involuntarily bumped.

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The notorious “bumpgate” incident occurred in 2017 and involved a doctor named David Dao. Dr. Dao was traveling from Chicago to Kentucky when he was involuntarily bumped from the flight. Displeased with losing his seat, he refused to exit the plane and was forcibly dragged from the flight. A viral video of the bloodied Dao quickly emerged. Later, a settlement, reportedly in the range of 140 million dollars, was negotiated with Dr. Dao.

Now, as the airline looks back fondly at the event, its executives realized it had been just over 5 years since the event and something had to do be done in its honor.

Reportedly, a United Airlines executive logged into Facebook earlier this month when the app reminded him of a memory that he’d shared five years ago. The Facebook post in question? The viral video of the doctor being pulled off the plane that he’d shared with several smiley faces and a winky emoji.

It reminded the unnamed exec that it had indeed been several years – five to be exact since this memorable event in United Airlines history occurred and that it really ought to be honored.

During a staff meeting the next day the exec offered up a few ideas to his fellow leaders several of which were very well received. Although the airline hasn’t officially announced its anniversary plans for the event, some insiders from the airline suggest the following commemorative ideas are being strongly considered:

• One out of every 100 passengers gets dragged off a plane while cheered by gate agents and flight crew
• A bronze statue of Dr. Dao being dragged off the plane installed at UA headquarters
• Small Dr. Dao trophies – again showing him being dragged off – given out to the worst customer service agent for the month
• A special United Mileage Plus option for 1K members that allows them to earn 4x points and an extra 50 PQPs if they volunteer to deplane at least once in the next 30 days by being dragged off the plane

Thus far, the airline has been unable to convince Dr. Dao to attend any of the celebratory events but lawyers for the airline don’t see any reason he couldn’t and the PR team is continuing to reach out to Dao’s staff.