Corporations, United Airlines, and the Open-Air Prison Planet

[image error] Cartoon by Bill Bramhall of the New York Daily News

On April 9th,2017, United Airlines ran into a problem.  Three of their mechanics were vitally needed at another airport, and the only flight available was number 3411, leaving from Chicago O’Hare to Louisville International, a flight which was fully booked and already boarded.  The airline initially offered compensation for anybody who would voluntarily give up their seat on the $200 flight; first $400, and then $800.  Nobody took them up o...