2 Years Later: Doctor Dao Reflects on United Airlines #Bumpgate Incident
Two years ago on April 9, Dr. David Dao was forcibly removed off United Airlines Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville after being involuntarily bumped. What followed was a viral video, a barrage of media coverage, a lawsuit and the start of a conversation on passengers rights that would leave a permanent mark on the airline industry.
Now today, on the anniversary of the infamous incident, Dao himself is speaking out for the first time in an interview with Good Morning America.
"I just cried," said Dao on when he first saw the viral video. "I don't know, I just cried."
Dao, who had been hospitalized following the incident with a concussion, broken nose and several missing teeth, initially had no idea he had become a viral sensation. The last thing he remembered before waking up in the hospital was a phone conversation he'd had with a friend while he was still seated. He'd been asking for advice on whether he should get up or not.
10 TIPS FOR NEGOTIATING A LUCRATIVE AIRLINE BUMP
Eyewitnesses then recorded footage of Dao being forced from his seat and dragged down the aisle of the aircraft by Chicago aviation police.
Things had escalated quickly, said Dao, but he never expected the situation to turn violent. UA had randomly selected the doctor to be removed from the plane because the company needed to transport four employees to Louisville on that flight.
The incident, known to some as #bumpgate, had lasting psychological and physical effects on Dao. Doctors had him on suicide watch and it took months for him to learn to walk again. To this day, Dao says he still struggles with sleeping, concentration and balance.
Public scrutiny also took its toll on Dao.
"I get to the point, I have to hide," said Dao. In addition to the severe concussion, he couldn't even go to work without being hounded by the media. "I stay for months. Months in the house."
He credits his eventual recovery to his faith and the time he devoted to charity work. In the past two years, he has helped displaced Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas and traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia to help install solar power in villages with no electricity.
Dao recounted a time during his travels when an elderly man approached him and asked, "you the one on airplane?" Dao said. "That touched me," he added.
Dao, despite it all, has come away from the incident with an optimistic perspective. "Well, the most important thing is, the accident turned out in a positive way," said Dao, specifically referencing policy changes United made following #bumpgate. He also holds no ill will for the officers that kicked him off the plane.
"I'm not angry with them," said Dao. "They have a job to do; they had to do it. If they don't do it, they may lose their jobs. So, I'm not angry with them or anything like this. That's their job."
There was also an "amicable" court settlement between Dao and the airline, however, it included a provision that the amount offered remain confidential.
United also issued a statement to GMA today, stating:
"Flight 3411 was a defining moment for United Airlines and it is our responsibility sure we as a company... continued to learn from that experience."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.