I know United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby does not want European-style delay compensation in the United States, but I wish he would not continue to warn it could compromise safety.
United CEO Kirby: More Consumer Compensation Is A Threat To Safety
In May, Kirby made the case on NPR that the regulatory addition of cash compensation for flight delays and cancellations could compromise safety:
But I think the most important point is safety. We start from Day One with every employee — we drill it into them that safety is No. 1. You don’t think about costs. And if you all of a sudden start saying, well, there’s a big expense associated with delaying or canceling this flight – I don’t want to chip away at that safety foundation with the pilot or mechanic in the back of their minds saying, “Well, this is a close call and it’s going to cost a lot of money” – we shouldn’t do that.
> Read More: The Alarming Reason United Airlines CEO Opposes European-Style Compensation For Delays
As I said then, it is of course not surprising that Kirby is averse to obligatory cash compensation for delays and cancellations in the USA. But am I the only one who is troubled by his hint…some might even call threat…that such a system would actually jeopardize the safety of flights?
I’d say Kirby’s messaging is off here and he would be better served implementing protocols to protect passengers in case of these delays and cancellations that make any sort of government-backed mandate superfluous.
Once again Kirby has made the case that implementing something in the USA similar to EU261/2004 delay compensation (which offers delayed passengers up to €650 in cash) would cost the airline industry “a God-awful amount of money.”
Speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, Kirby said:
“We should never risk changing the safety culture in aviation. I do not want a pilot, I do not want a mechanic, thinking about the extra cost of delay when they’re thinking about a decision.”
And what does delay compensation have to do this?
Putting safety first, regardless of the cost, is a given. I fail to understand why Kirby continues to warn about safety. And I have enough faith and confidence in pilots (and mechanics) to trust that they will not fly a plane that is not safe to fly.
So Kirby’s “safety” concern is not a viable concern at all.
Sure, there is some valid concern that more regulation would be harmful and lead to higher ticket prices (I don’t personally buy it, but I understand Kirby’s contention that it will cost airlines a lot of money), but the safety concern is simply invalid.
CONCLUSION
United CEO Scott Kirby is again warning that more compensation for delayed or stranded consumers for issues within the control of the airline (like crew scheduling or mechanical issues) could compromise safety. I strongly disagree and find this is a shameful tactic to oppose such legislation.
image: @scottkirby / Instagram
That man desperately needs to go back to working for an ULCC. He’s just lost in the majors. Remember yesterday when he said that his own airline has 10% too many people? I must’ve missed that on the phone, at checkin, at the gate, flying, and getting my bags. Kirby is not actually an idiot but is simply not cut out to run a big international airline.
Remember , it is frequently all about the money . If anyone offers me compensation , I am surprised .
I recall the doctor going from Chicago to Louisville . As I recall , he was a paying passenger , but they wanted his seat for deadheading crew .
Liar
?
Not you, Kirby. He’s lying and using scare tactics to make his false point.
Dear Scott,
I think the best response to your concerns is to quote the venerable Col Sherman T Potter USA.
MULEFRITTERS!!!!
I’m willing to risk that he’s just making this up.
Jeffy, speaking publicly about the tarmac delay law being passed said the same thing, and in a huff he said he would just cancel the flights rather than risk a fine. Both men have big mouths. Mr. Kirby is almost always out of line when speaking broadly. He should stay off the air and in the breakrooms rallying the troops.
@ Matthew — This is a pathetic threat by Kirby and one more resaon that compensation should be required.
I know it will never happen, but people need to grow up and stop expecting a handout evertime something goes to sh1t. Deal with it like a responsible adult. If timing is critical go early. Get travel insurance if you can’t cover the expenses on the rare occasion you might get stuck somewhere. Enough with the idea you are owed something for your occasional misfortunes.
@David — No, you have it backwards. Airlines should stop fraudulently selling schedules that they cannot operate (I’m looking at you United at EWR). Why should I lose my valuable time and money without compensation when “shit happens”? These events are known to occur at a certain rate, and airlines should spend the money on resources to recover from such issues without inconveniencing passengers. Doing otherwise is fraud and theft, plain and simple.
It’s really pathetic because he not only knows he’s lying, but he’s doing it to scare employees and customers. He has no business running a major airline. If he did it right, then paying compensation wouldn’t be a major concern because he wouldn’t be doing it much. OTOH, I did get a totally free upgrade to Polaris in April from Newark to Munich, so … we good!
United is already subject to such a regime in Europe.
Is Kirby saying that United flights that originate in the EU are unsafe?
Good point.
Kirby’s comments are idiotic, and shamefully imply that United’s employees would compromise the safety of passengers just to save the company a little money. The premise is ludicrous and insulting.
Compensating passengers reasonably for delays within the carriers’ control simply helps to assure the carriers cannot continue to over schedule with a abandon, since they don’t currently internalize the cost of those delays.
What offensive drivel to suggest that BA, LH, KL, IB, FR, etc. etc. are less safe than UA because we have delay compensation here!!!
He also seems to conveniently forget that UA is subject to delay compensation for any flight leaving the EU (but not arriving there). Is he suggesting that the planes UA uses to fly to Europe are not properly maintained?
What offensive drivel to suggest that BA, LH, KL, IB, FR, etc. etc. are less safe than UA because we have delay compensation here!!!
I’ve spoken with some UA pilots, and they honestly don’t care about the cost or what management will think when it comes to the safety of their passengers…with them, it’s law, one reason UA is my favored airline.
Kirby is making the same arguments that were made for EC261 years ago, and yet it’s still here and reasonably functional. 261 keeps the airlines honest by putting a financial hit on their actions. It’s clear to me that the current situation in the US is disjointed and not consistent. Expectations on consumer protection on delays, cancellations and the like should not vary by airline…it needs to be consistent, and since the airlines will not accomplish this without regulation, it must be foisted upon them.
Considering United hires based on ethnicity over merit, I’d say they already have safety issues.
Not at all true. All of our pilots at United are extremely well qualifiednd merit their positions. (Unlike your comment, which is entirely without merit, except in how it exposes you as an unqualified racist.)
Hey Scott, let’s get a few things out of the way. First, every time I see a photo of you, I just can’t help but think, “hey, that was the former butt-slave of former AA CEO Doug Parker. He looked like a big guy, must have been a tough job being his slave.
Now that you know what I think about you as a person, why don’t you explain how your company’s failure to inspect engine parts could happen in a time before compensation? Oh wait, I know the TRUTH, you KNOW your airline is already not that safe, so like a good leader, you are getting out ahead of a future story (crash), so when compensation passes, and it has a non-additive-affect on your ALREADY unsafe maintenance regime, you will have a scape goat–compensation. Don’t believe me, then read this article and explain your culture safety regarding fan blade inspections. Maybe Doug should have left you locked up in his dungeon which is the only place you’ve ever done a good job.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/us-ntsb-cites-inadequate-inspections-in-2021-united-airlines-engine-failure/ar-AA1gs6D8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=12591ad8cab7432fb518743ef0b10819&ei=8
P.S. Hey Scotty K, First Amendment and being a public figure is a bitch, isn’t it? 😉
Kirby is only concerned with his pay check and bonus based on UA bottom line. He has created a mess and is making UA a low cost airline. As a full service airline, he is just cutting costs, using third party for reservations, check ins at airport, etc.
The EI law should go into effect in the USA. But the airline lobby will fight it as it effects the C suite personnel in their pockets due to their mismanagement skills
Curvy is focused on his bonus and the strike point of his stock options.
Call a spade a spade.
Is this the man who charted an executive jet while his system came to a complete meltdown?? Where was his concern for passengers at that time??