Business
United Pledges To Review Policies On Removal Of Passengers
Published
9 years agoon
CHICAGO (AP) — After people were horrified by video of a passenger getting dragged off a full United Express flight by airport police, the head of United’s parent company said the airline was reaching out to the man to “resolve this situation.”
Hours later on Monday, his tone turned defensive. He described the man as “disruptive and belligerent.”
By Tuesday afternoon, almost two days after the Sunday evening confrontation in Chicago, CEO Oscar Munoz issued his most contrite apology yet as details emerged about the man seen on cellphone videos recorded by other passengers at O’Hare Airport.
“No one should ever be mistreated this way,” said Munoz, who also pledged to conduct a wide-ranging review of company policies.
The passenger was identified as physician David Dao, 69, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, who was convicted more than a decade ago of felony charges involving his prescribing of drugs and spent years trying to regain his medical license.
But while Dao’s history quickly became a focus of attention, there’s no indication that his past influenced how he was treated or that the airline or police were aware of his background or would have known anything about him other than basic information such as his name and address, if that.
Screaming can be heard on the videos, but nowhere is Dao seen attacking the officers. In fact, he appears relatively passive both when he was dragged down the aisle of the jet and when he is seen standing in the aisle later saying quietly, “I want to go home, I want to go home.”
Munoz’s latest statement described the removal as “truly horrific.” He said the company would reassess policies for seeking volunteers to give up their seats, for handling oversold situations and for partnering with airport authorities and local law enforcement.
An attorney who represents Dao said his client was being treated at a Chicago hospital for injuries he sustained on the plane and that the family would not comment.
According to records from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Dao went to medical school at the University of Medicine of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, graduating in 1974. He was licensed in Kentucky with a specialty in pulmonary disease.
His legal troubles started in 2003, when his medical license was suspended after an undercover sting operation at a Louisville motel for allegedly writing fraudulent prescriptions.
According to the documents, the licensing board had learned that Dao had become sexually interested in a patient and hired the patient as his office manager. That man later said he quit his job because Dao “pursued him aggressively” and arranged to provide him with prescription drugs in exchange for sex.
Dao was ultimately convicted in late 2004 of several counts of obtaining drugs by fraud or deceit and was placed on five years of supervised probation and surrendered his medical license.
His longtime effort to get his license back finally succeeded in 2015, when the licensing board allowed him to practice medicine again.
About a year after his medical license was suspended, Dao joined the professional poker circuit, according to his World Series of Poker profile. His biggest competitive win came in 2009 when he took home more than $117,000 from a tournament in Mississippi.
Airport officials have said little about Sunday’s events and nothing about Dao’s behavior before he was pulled from the jet that was bound for Louisville, Kentucky. Likewise, the Chicago Aviation Department has said only that one of its employees who removed Dao did not follow proper procedures and has been placed on leave.
No passengers on the plane have mentioned that Dao did anything but refuse to leave the plane when he was ordered to do so.
Also Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the way Dao was treated “completely unacceptable” and praised Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans for taking “swift action.” He promised that a city investigation would “ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”
The event stemmed from a common air travel issue – a full flight. United was trying to make room for four employees of a partner airline, meaning four people had to get off.
At first, the airline asked for volunteers, offering $400 and then when that did not work, $800 per passenger to relinquish a seat. When no one voluntarily came forward, United selected four passengers at random.
Three people got off the flight, but the fourth said he was a doctor and needed to get home to treat patients on Monday. He refused to leave.
Three Aviation Department police officers got on the plane. Two officers tried to reason with the man before a third came aboard and pointed at the man “basically saying, ‘Sir, you have to get off the plane,'” said Tyler Bridges, a passenger whose wife, Audra D. Bridges, posted a video on Facebook.
One of the officers could be seen grabbing the screaming man from his window seat, across the armrest and dragging him down the aisle by his arms.
Other passengers on Flight 3411 are heard saying, “Please, my God,” ”What are you doing?” ”This is wrong,” ”Look at what you did to him” and “Busted his lip.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that it is reviewing Sunday’s events to see if United violated rules on overselling flights.
Dao’s relatives are focused only on his medical care, attorney Stephen L. Golan said. The family “wants the world to know that they are very appreciative of the outpouring of prayers, concern and support they have received.”
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Business
U.S. Marine Veteran Receives Refurbished Vehicle Through NABC Recycled Rides Program
Published
3 days agoon
June 12, 2026DAVIE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and his family received a life-changing gift on June 11 when they were presented with a fully refurbished vehicle through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides® program.
The donation was made possible through a partnership between vehicle donor Allstate, repair partner Crash Champions, and several industry sponsors. The presentation took place at Crash Champions’ Davie, Florida, collision repair center.
Veteran Receives Reliable Transportation
The recipient, Sergio Hernandez, was nominated by the Wounded Warrior Project, one of the nation’s leading veterans service organizations dedicated to supporting post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
Hernandez and his wife received a refurbished 2018 Toyota RAV4 donated by Allstate and restored by Crash Champions technicians.
“This vehicle is beautiful, super clean, just near mint,” Hernandez said. “Reliability is a huge thing. This will take a burden off our shoulders not having to worry about maintenance or any of the issues we were having with prior vehicles. I’m truly grateful for it.”
From Military Service to Civilian Life
Hernandez served in the United States Marine Corps beginning in 2015, with assignments in South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. During his service, he suffered a back injury that required extensive therapy and rehabilitation.
After leaving the military, Hernandez used GI Bill benefits to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management. However, transportation challenges remained a significant obstacle for his growing family.
With a non-operational vehicle and mounting repair costs, reliable transportation had become a pressing need. The donated vehicle will help Hernandez commute to work, attend family appointments and provide safe transportation for his wife and two young children.
Industry Partners Make a Difference
Allstate has donated more than 300 vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides® program, making it one of the program’s largest vehicle donors.
Crash Champions has also played a major role, gifting more than 250 vehicles to individuals and organizations in need through the initiative.
Additional partners supporting the donation included Enterprise, Tire Kingdom, AutoZone, J&A Auto Restore, ATE, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
Business
Orlando Regional REALTOR Association Event Highlights Orange County Growth, Housing Trends and Economic Outlook
Published
2 months agoon
April 19, 2026By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) hosted its second annual State of Real Estate event for Orange County on April 17, bringing together industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders to examine the region’s housing market and economic outlook.
Held at ORRA’s headquarters in Orlando, the event focused on the evolving dynamics of residential and commercial real estate across Central Florida. Discussions centered on housing affordability, economic growth and long-term regional development.
Speakers and Panelists
- Lawrence Yun — Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS
- Maria Henson — Senior Director of Market Research & Insights, Visit Orlando
- Racquel Asa — Head of External Affairs, Central Florida Expressway Authority
- Amy Mercado — Property Appraiser, Orange County
- Chris Atwell — Moderator, 2026 ORRA President
Industry experts said Central Florida’s economy continues to grow, though at a more measured pace. While housing and stock market wealth remain near record highs, job growth is softening, consumer sentiment has declined and loan defaults are rising — creating a market shaped by mixed signals.
Panelists noted the housing market has shifted into a more stable phase compared to the rapid growth seen during 2020 and 2021, with more balance and sustainable conditions.
Despite short-term fluctuations, long-term fundamentals remain strong. Orange County’s tax base has grown significantly since 2023, while the broader Central Florida region has experienced a 23% population increase over the past decade, with more than 1,200 people moving to the area each week.
Infrastructure and tourism were also highlighted as key drivers of future growth. Officials pointed to major roadway investments by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the region’s continued strength as a tourism hub, drawing more than 75 million visitors in 2024.
“We’re operating in a global economy where interest rates, supply chains and migration policies all influence what happens at the local level,” said ORRA CEO Cliff Long.
Economic Trends Show Mixed Signals
Experts emphasized that strong asset values are being offset by softer job growth and declining consumer confidence.
Housing Market Enters Stable Phase
The market has transitioned from pandemic-driven volatility to a more balanced and sustainable pace.
Growth, Infrastructure and Tourism Drive Future
Population growth, infrastructure investment and tourism continue to support long-term expansion in Central Florida.
ORRA’s Impact and Benefits on the Real Estate Industry
The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association provides critical market insights, advocacy and professional resources for REALTORS® across Central Florida. Its events foster collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers and the community, helping guide responsible growth, inform housing policy and strengthen the regional real estate market.
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
Published
2 months agoon
April 15, 2026By
Willie David
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
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