United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is under fire. And if you ask me, he shouldn’t be.
No, it’s not because of rising ticket prices, although that’s a separate column in and of itself.
Apparently, Kirby’s big crime was he took a private jet when his original commercial flight, on United of course, was canceled. The private jet was not paid for by United. Kirby issued an apology.
People are complaining and screaming on social media. But why? People are sayin that Kirby is out of touch with the average man and that he used his privilege. Saying that he had access to a private plane when others didn’t and were forced to wait in the airport for hours and make alternative transportation plans and or lodging plans.
I call BS on this one.
Sure, Kirby reportedly makes more than $10 million a year. And, of course, he has access to free travel with his airline. So he’s getting roasted for taking a private plane when hundreds of other passengers were forced to wait because of the cancelation.
So what’s the problem?
Sure, Kirby was able to make a few phone calls because of who he is. Sure, Kirby is not your average flyer. Now tell me you wouldn’t do the same thing? Tell me you wouldn’t do everything you could to get to your destination.
If you had the contacts, from your job, wouldn’t you utilize them? Wouldn’t you use your contacts to see if a private jet was available? If you had the means financially, wouldn’t?you use them?
Of course you would.
Anybody who says otherwise is either lying or a fool.
The argument is that Kirby should have been made to suffer like the other passengers whose flight was canceled. But that is the unpredictability of summer weather and of the pilot shortage and other labor shortages.
Again, United did not pay for the private flight. He apparently paid for it out of his own pocket. More power to him. Would it be some sort of punishment, or retribution, to make him wait like most?other passengers? Would it be, quote-unquote, to teach him a lesson? Would you have the same resentment if the name of the guy renting the private jet to get to his destination was named Kirby Scott instead?
Scott Kirby is not out of touch with the common man who takes an airplane. He is well aware of the problems currently plaguing the industry.?
So what’s the problem?
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