United cancels PIO’s ticket

Los Angeles, May 11: An Indian-origin man in the US has claimed that the United Airlines cancelled his flight reservation because he filmed an employee during an altercation, the latest public relations headache for the under fire airline.

Navang Oza, 37, said he was refused entry on a flight to the West Coast after he started recording his experience on his phone. Oza said he was checking in for a flight home to San Francisco from New Orleans when he complained to a United Airlines agent about a $300 charge for his luggage.

Oza said he paid $125 to check the same bag on the first leg of his trip.

Unable to get an explanation, Oza said he decided to do what many other frustrated passengers have done and film the dispute.

Oza posted an unedited clip of the lengthy interaction with the ticket counter worker in New Orleans.

The clip begins with the agent pointing her finger at him, saying, “You did not have my permission to videotape”. Next, she appears to instruct an agent to her left. “Cancel the reservation,” she says.

About a minute after ordering his trip cancelled for taping her, the United agent is seen recording Oza. “I’ll do the same thing,” she said, pointing her smartphone at Oza’s.

Oza said he re-booked his flight on a different airline.

United said it was investigating the matter.