[cba123]

This story is pretty big right at the moment, but this was the first I (think) I heard that a UA employee was on the flight, so the paying passenger was bumped?

I am not sure of this. But that is what I (think) I just heard on television.

Anyone know if this is true?

[liberalh8ter]

I also read that the seats were needed for UA employees. What I have never understood is how airlines get away with selling seats that don't exist. It's not like the number of seats on their planes change from flight to flight. Many times while waiting to board there are announcements that they were overbooked and looking for “volunteers” to give up their seats.

[tophat9000]

If it was to keep a UA employee on it might not be what you think
I worked for United for six months in 1990 ( quit because the union sucked) but in my job I was classified as an airline mechanic...so if i was needed for work somewhere in the country I could get on a flight and even ride in the cockpit to get where I was going

Obviously employees other than pilot co-pilot can’t right in the cockpit now

But if it was crew that need to be deadheaded to a different destination to do needed work to keep other aircraft flying at the other location.... then yes they’re going to have priority even over passengers

When you just flying for pleasure you have the lowest priority when you flying to do company vital work at the other location you have the highest