Blame the customer, not United

Kildeer, Ill.: What adult behaves like a spoiled child (“Flier storm,” April 11)? In my opinion, one whose objective it is to use the legal system to become a millionaire. I am sorry to say that this sort of incident, and the sympathy it is getting, is sure to encourage more of the same from those wishing instant fame and a big payoff in this social-media-driven culture we now see. Who would want to be trapped on an airliner with someone capable of throwing a temper tantrum — involving squealing and violent arm movements — seated next to them?

All airlines bump thousands of passengers every day without disruption. United had every legal right to remove this passenger. Every airline does and most certainly should if someone displays a complete lack of composure. When someone refuses to comply with a lawful order and becomes belligerent and forceful in the process, they pose a danger to other passengers and make a deliberate choice to expose themselves to this kind of treatment.

United needed the seat for a crew member taking another flight. This type of situation is common practice and happens with daily regularity on all air carriers.

Respect must flow two ways if we are to be a lawful society. This passenger was initially treated with respect. He chose to escalate by becoming aggressive with United crew members and turning a commonplace occurrence into a matter for law enforcement. The fact that it has now become viral is sad. When did it become OK for people to decide whether they want to obey those in law enforcement?

Wake up America and start respecting dignity again. We all have to do things we might not like. How we do so defines us. And, character does count. So does this passenger’s history with the law. Bruce Trojak

Leave United alone

Roseland, N.J.: Am I the only person who is rational enough to side with United Airlines? It seems to me that this seemingly unstable passenger who was dragged off the plane brought the entire overdramatic debacle upon himself by refusing to follow the clearly defined rules regarding seat forfeiture. He was randomly and fairly selected to give up his seat, and instead of acting in a civil manner, became belligerent and stared shrieking like a madman. I am sure that United personnel and airport security would have preferred a different outcome but had no other choice.

Peter Ciamboli

Can happen anywhere

Acton, Mass.: Can’t believe this happened in the United States of America — a horrible violation of human rights and absolutely unacceptable! Yang Lui

Name, rank and serial number

Manhattan: It’s strange that United, after bumping its four passengers, didn’t mention the positions the four airline employees had. Were they pilots? Were they flight attendants? Or were they management going on vacation? I would like to know their job duties and what was the urgency to bump four people to get to where they were going.

Michael Wishner

Other options available

Coronado, Calif.: I believe the flight was going from Chicago to Louisville, perhaps a five-hour drive. A little thinking might have avoided all this: Send the four United employees via limo from Chicago to Louisville. It would have been much cheaper than the hotel rooms and $400-$800 vouchers offered to the volunteers without even considering the public relations mess.

Elizabeth Nolan

Smearing the victim

Gallup, N.M.: Shame on The News for this article (“Doc pulled from United flight previously convicted of drug crimes,” April 11). Did the man’s past have anything to do with the airline’s policies, or their horrific treatment of a paying customer? This is corporate propaganda.

Lorelei Kay

For shame

Austin, Tex.: You were basically “slut shaming” this person who was so horribly treated. The person you should be outing is the officer who assaulted this man. It is no one’s business what his criminal history is unless that was a factor in his removal, which it was not. Just so you know, this is the first letter to the editor I have ever written. Because The News is my favorite media outlet (I tell friends to go to your website), I felt this article has done damage to your reputation and I should voice my opinion. Holly Sellers

Bad call

Manhattan: Publishing an article detailing David Dao’s legal past at the time of his horrendous encounter with United Airlines is a poor and tasteless attempt to justify a completely unjustified event. I don’t care if this man has a criminal background. Let’s be clear: He was a law-abiding citizen at the moment that United broke his face open because of an error on their part. United is the criminal here, and any attempt to justify what they did is a surefire way to make sure it happens again. We already live in a world full of companies that are too big to care about breaking the law — let’s not give them further license to act like the sociopathic entities that they are. Anna Hewett Forest Hills: Thank you for your cover page Wednesday (“Forgotten by White House,” April 12). My heart breaks. This is where I lost my family and it is far too soon to have forgotten. The words from the mouth of Sean Spicer, who represents the White House, are more than hurtful; they are dangerous. I think it is time that he himself pay a visit to the site of Auschwitz. No apologies can undo the harm he has inflicted. Words do matter. And the Daily News, which I read avidly, is so correct in bringing this to our attention. Kudos!

Kitty Ruderman

Concentration camp amenities

Brooklyn: In trying to distinguish the difference between Hitler and Assad, I’m surprised Sean Spicer didn’t mention the quality of the showers the Nazis provided the Jews in the “Holocaust centers” as another example of why Hitler wasn’t as bad as Assad.

William Gabriel Brooklyn: As someone who had relatives who died at Auschwitz, I think your rollout of the story criticizing Sean Spicer for remarks at his press conference was off-base. There is a big difference between the Nazi gas chambers and the use of chemical weapons in war. Both are heinous, unforgivable crimes. But the military use of these weapons could normalize this as a battlefield tactic. That, I think, is the point. Alan Saly

Initial thoughts

Kew Gardens: Did anyone notice Sean Spicer’s initials? “SS”! Coincidence? I don’t think so.

Gary Gural Dumont, N.J.: To Voicer Nancy Marci Kennedy: Very few people really care who is on the back page of the Daily News. But since you brought it up, in the fall and winter, the two best teams — the Giants and the Rangers — seem to rarely be there. The only time the Giants are there is when Odell Beckham acts like a fool, which is more often than not. The Rangers almost are never there. However, the two worst and most dysfunctional teams, the Jets and Knicks, always seem to be there. Unlike you, I don’t whine about it; I simply open the paper and find the team or teams that I want to read about and read the articles. @JAYSEDAVID (TWITTER) Isn’t that an amazing idea? Read about them, instead of looking at a back page picture. Rich Russo

Reason for the season

Warwick, R.I.: As the Easter season approaches, it may be that time to consider all the less fortunate who will have many needs for assistance. There are worthwhile nonprofits who assist these members of our society, and some offer their services 24/7. They rely on our generosity to continue serving the needy. When enjoying family and friends during the holidays, take a moment to realize that many are struggling to obtain life’s necessities. Whatever gifts we can offer from our financial resources or volunteering will be sincerely appreciated. Your holiday will certainly be filled with an abundance of gratitude from those you assisted in their time of need. Bob Sweeney

NY1’s unchartered changes

Manhattan: Voicer Frances Clarke beat me to the punch regarding her dissatisfaction with NY1’s changes since Spectrum took over — from the “coming soon” teaser and news crawl that shrink the size of the broadcast, to the new format of “On Stage.” Formerly a fine show of theater news, interviews and reviews, “On Stage” has been transformed to 30 minutes of blithering puff pieces. Even the excellent critic Roma Torre doesn’t escape unscathed. You can’t even call this new approach anything remotely resembling a serious review anymore. Edward Musto