Why do "we" (or the media) care so much about the career of the man taken off the United flight?
Does it matter that he's a doctor? Would the abuse he suffered be lesser if he was a fast food worker? Why is every media outlet discussing how prestigious his family is?
No. UA was 100% wrong no matter who it was. However the fact that he clearly stated that he has patients who's well being is at stake on him arriving trumps the need to fly their employees because they can't get their chit together.
The fact that he was doctor isn't about the prestige. It's about the fact that the well being of his patients were jeopardized. It's not much different than when airlines had the sensible rule that the strongest and most fit person had rights to the hatch seat because they are able to provide important service to the other passengers in an emergency.
I was reading an article that talked about his wife and several children being doctors as well, so that's what set me off a bit. Yes, the health of patients may make his situation more delicate, but the Daily Mail's piece made it more about prestige, I think.
I was reading an article that talked about his wife and several children being doctors as well, so that's what set me off a bit. Yes, the health of patients may make his situation more delicate, but the Daily Mail's piece made it more about prestige, I think.
People care about this incident for many reasons. 1. One being that the man paid for his ticket, had a chair to sit on, and was not on standby. He already had his place. If they were overbooked, he had a seat! People who were not there are the ones who were on standby! 2. Next: they asked for volunteers. He did not volunteer. 3. He felt his job meant life and death for his patients. It means he's a dedicated doctor. It was a matter of life and death. So it should have mattered. 4. Then they blooded him! Did they give him a concussion? He looked like he passed out. That's abuse! 5. They dragged him out. 6. People who fly think: "What if that happened to me?" Oooooo, no! 7. I haven't seen any reports of his family. I know he was Chinese and that China is upset about it. Discrimination? That's another thing. Why him only? There are over 200 seats in jet planes. That looks fishy.
It shouldn't have made any difference whether he was a renowned doctor or a chimney sweep. He paid for his ticket, was in his seat and didn't voluneer to give up his seat.
Dear JA, Yes as a former health care professional, I am biased in favor of medical folk, the helping professions.
However your overall point is very well taken, and I do have some thoughts: I read that historically, in old Europe, wealth was perceived as a sign of God's favor...
I think that attitude persists unbeknownst into the present day - and we are not even aware, usually. But those with education, prestige and wealth are automatically considered more worthy, even thought we logically know that to be untrue.
If people do not watch the BS media the ratings would tell them people demand real news reporting. Today's American society spends its time on some of the goofiest stuff. You would think this is the biggest news story of the year. Hardly!
Benedict Arnold 