US Airways Dividend Miles - Oversold flight- Chairman's Preferred bumped first

I am a CP; I was traveling this past weekend and was ticketed (US ticket, US flight) for a flight that ended up being oversold. I had checked in at :45 before departure and, when involuntarily bumped from the flight by a gate agent with attitude, was told that "your status doesn't matter; the rule now is that people are bumped from flights due to check-in time, not status." Two other CPs were also bumped from the flight. Other passengers might have been bumped; not sure, but I didn't see anyone else.

Is this indeed the new rule, or was I lied to yet again by another US employee?

Thanks for any insights.

Sounds like she should be fired.

Is this indeed the new rule, or was I lied to yet again by another US employee?

Thanks for any insights.
You were lied to.

From the US contract of carriage....

Involuntary
Boarding Priorities: If a flight is oversold and there are not enough volunteers, US Airways may be
required to deny boarding involuntarily, in accordance with the following:
�� The last customer(s) to present him/herself (themselves) at the boarding gate may be denied
boarding in the event of an overbooked flight.
�� Boarding preference will be given to Dividend Miles members based on their status in the program and time of check-in.
�� Special efforts will be made to never involuntarily deny boarding to customers requiring special
assistance or unaccompanied minors.

:eek:
I would definitely file a complaint. That is not acceptable. Not only should preferreds have priority in a bump situation, but Chairman’s and Plats have guaranteed seating.

Did you have a confirmed seat assignment?

When my upgrades come through at the 7-day window, I'm too lazy to OLCI and just go to the airport kiosk. This makes me one of the last to check in, and I may need to change my ways because of rogue GAs like the one you encountered.

As longing4piedmont points out, it is against the CofC. I hope you file a complaint with Customer Service!

I'd be wanting a free roundtrip for that mess. US g/a's are not a bunch of rookies hired yesterday. She screwed up, knew better, and lied to cover...all the while giving you an attitude. I'd go after this one with a vengeance.

US g/A's are not a bunch of rookies hired yesterday.
Wanna bet on that one? Lots of new faces in CLT.

Like the others suggested, go after this one with a vengeance......

BTW, there is no provision for elites getting preference in the HP CofC, so I would look for this to become the norm in the future. Just another sign that Tempe could not give a rats behind about elites......

Wanna bet on that one? Lots of new faces in CLT.

Although it's rarely known to happen, I could be wrong! :D But you must be seeing different faces than I am every week. Granted the E-concourse is like a freshman campus, but I must be missing something elsewhere. And when the hiring sprees were on, rarely did you see 2 unexperienced ones working the same gate.

Wanna bet on that one? Lots of new faces in CLT.

Like the others suggested, go after this one with a vengeance......

BTW, there is no provision for elites getting preference in the HP CofC, so I would look for this to become the norm in the future. Just another sign that Tempe could not give a rats behind about elites......


We know you hate US these days, why do you insist on keeping up the crappy attitude towards them on this board??

Shouldn't you be on the Delta board praising them. Someone needs to

I'd be wanting a free roundtrip for that mess. US g/a's are not a bunch of rookies hired yesterday. She screwed up, knew better, and lied to cover...all the while giving you an attitude. I'd go after this one with a vengeance.

Free round trip? Ha!

Try cold, hard cash. That is the compensation that is due for an IDB. Also, the person who is IDB gets to travel on the next available flight, even if that flight is on a competitor and even if first class seats are all that are available on that flight.

I'd be wanting a free roundtrip for that mess. US g/a's are not a bunch of rookies hired yesterday. She screwed up, knew better, and lied to cover...all the while giving you an attitude. I'd go after this one with a vengeance.
Free RT? Aren't you due cash?

We know you hate US these days, why do you insist on keeping up the crappy attitude towards them on this board??

Shouldn't you be on the Delta board praising them. Someone needs to
Just posting the facts. If you don't like 'em, don't read 'em.....

I'd be wanting a free roundtrip for that mess.

If they tried to compensate me with a free rt for this mess, TSA would be pulling me off of them. Talk to me with cash in your hand, that's the only thing that would've satisfied me.

l4PI is correct - that all important (to FF's) line doesn't appear in HP's CoC. Will that become the standard? I certainly don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me.

As for this situation, both CoC's state that volunteers will be sought before any IDB's. Did that happen? If not, strike 1.

Violating the US CoC - strike 2.

Copping an attitude with any customer, not to mention a presumably high yield DM member - strike 3.

So by all means, please do "pursue this with a vengence."

Jim

If they tried to compensate me with a free rt for this mess, TSA would be pulling me off of them. Talk to me with cash in your hand, that's the only thing that would've satisfied me.
Actually, I saw an IDB at LGA compensated with a free RT. She never called for volunteers. This was a CRJ though, so I don't think the DOT rules apply. But still, they should make an effort...

I'll add just two additional thoughts:

1. US will have no trouble whatsoever determining who the GA was that allegedly provided false info in this case. You should absolutely know that.

2. If, indeed, the CoC were violated....not only should this be persued with US Cust Service, but also with the fine folks at the DOT. Airline employees willfully disregarding their own CoC is frowned upon with a furrowed brow by those guys.

Actually, I saw an IDB at LGA compensated with a free RT. She never called for volunteers. This was a CRJ though, so I don't think the DOT rules apply. But still, they should make an effort...

DOT rules apply for any ticket issued by US Airways.

DOT rules apply for any ticket issued by US Airways.
I thought IDB rules didn't apply on aircraft that were less than 60 or 70 seats...

I thought IDB rules didn't apply on aircraft that were less than 60 or 70 seats...

Why would you think that?

Honestly, I don't think this airline is going to measure this up any different than a FF'er that writes a letter complaining about a rude f/a or other issue. Yeah, I think you got screwed and the moron should be fired...but don't get your hopes up for a check. Sorry...just being realistic on what I have seen as a degradation in benefits towards FF'ers over the years by this airline.

Please do post your letter (if you write one), and let us know what you receive. Would love to hear the outcome. Remind them others are watching as well...

Why would you think that?
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbookingThe rules do not apply to charter flights, or to scheduled flights operated with planes that hold 60 or fewer passengers.

Fortunately (or unfortunately for US), the CoC also says this:

Subject to the following provisions and the specific constraints of the aircraft involved, all terms of transportation in this booklet apply to US Airways Express flights.

The "following provisions" concern pets in the cabin and carry-on baggage. Nothing else.

As far as compensation for IDB's, the US CoC says this:

Involuntary - US Airways will offer one of the following types of compensation to customers denied boarding involuntarily on flights within the continental United States:

- A transferable voucher for one free roundtrip coach class ticket on US Airways within the continental United States,

or,

- Cash compensation in the amount of 200% of the sum of the values of the customer’s remaining flight coupons of the ticket to the customer’s next stopover, or if none, to his/her destination, but not more than $400.00.

However, the compensation shall be 50% of the amount described above, but not more than $200.00, if US Airways arranges for comparable air transportation, or for other transportation acceptable to the customer, scheduled to arrive not later than two hours after the planned arrival, at the airport of the customer’s next stopover, or at the airport of the customer’s destination of the flight on which the customer holds a confirmed reservation.

Jim

I am a CP; I was traveling this past weekend and was ticketed (US ticket, US flight) for a flight that ended up being oversold. I had checked in at :45 before departure and, when involuntarily bumped from the flight by a gate agent with attitude, was told that "your status doesn't matter; the rule now is that people are bumped from flights due to check-in time, not status." Two other CPs were also bumped from the flight. Other passengers might have been bumped; not sure, but I didn't see anyone else.

Is this indeed the new rule, or was I lied to yet again by another US employee?

Thanks for any insights.

Wow. What a rude checkin agent. To tell our most valued flyers 'your status doesn't matter' seems inexcusable, assuming those were her exact words.. Did you get her name? A stiff email to Tempe seems in order here. I can't imagine a helpful agent bumping a Chairman's. Unless everyone else has already boarded, in which case i can understand them not wanting to deplane someone, which could delay the flight and unnecessarily incovenience others... in this case if you were last to check in and the plane is already boarded i can understand the decision from an operational point of view. getting a full flight out on time is a priority. Did you ask if the flight had fully boarded? If it had, then you missed it. A few more details would be needed to ascertain if this was the right decision... my gut reaction is that it wasn't but further detail would be needed to see if the agent acted correctly.

Unless everyone else has already boarded, in which case i can understand them not wanting to deplane someone, which could delay the flight and unnecessarily incovenience others... in this case if you were last to check in and the plane is already boarded i can understand the decision from an operational point of view.

The GA MUST ask for volunteers before IDBing anyone. Getting the plane out on time and not wanting to inconvenience others is no excuse for not following procedure and for inconveniencing the OP.

I am a CP; I was traveling this past weekend and was ticketed (US ticket, US flight) for a flight that ended up being oversold. I had checked in at :45 before departure and, when involuntarily bumped from the flight by a gate agent with attitude, was told that "your status doesn't matter; the rule now is that people are bumped from flights due to check-in time, not status." Two other CPs were also bumped from the flight. Other passengers might have been bumped; not sure, but I didn't see anyone else.

Is this indeed the new rule, or was I lied to yet again by another US employee?

Thanks for any insights.

Alright, I think we need some more information here.

1. What kind of aircraft were you on?
2. Were you the last person to present themselves for boarding.
3. Did you have a seat assignment?
4. What station were you at? Which metal?
5. Did they solicit volunteers?
6. What kind of compensation were you given?

I think once you answer these we can give you some better feedback.

I agree that since you are a Chairman I don't believe that you should have been IDB if you were not the last person to present themselves at the gate for boarding.

As L4PI said the CofC states: "Boarding preference will be given to Dividend Miles members based on their status in the program and time of check-in." However it also says: "The last customer(s) to present him/herself (themselves) at the boarding gate may be denied boarding in the event of an overbooked flight." As an agent I really don't know what would be done if I was oversold/overweight and had to IDB the last person to present themselves and that person turns out to be a Chairman. Luckily I have never been in this situation and hopefully never will be. That would be sticky...

JAaronT is correct when he says that the DOT rules do not apply to flights on aircraft that seat less than 60 people.

I always suggest writing a letter/e-mail if you feel that you were treated wrong by the agent. That's the only way US will know what is going on.

As a CP, I would be concerned (and shocked) about IDB, but what is worse for me is what the agent said to the customer! He/she, if the OP was the last to present him/herself at the gate and proper procedure was followed, should have been given a polite explanation as to why he/she was IDB. Rude customer service makes me angrier than anything and on those grounds I would write.

I'm certainly no lawyer, but language is generally pretty precise when it comes to contracts. For example, the word "may" is generally used when an action is optional, as in:

"The last customer(s) to present him/herself (themselves) at the boarding gate may be denied boarding in the event of an overbooked flight."

Conversely, the word "will" is generally used when an action is mandatory, as in:

"Boarding preference will be given to Dividend Miles members based on their status in the program and time of check-in."

Along a somewhat similiar vein, while the DOT rules on denied boarding exempts aircraft with fewer than 60 seats, that does not prevent any airline from voluntarily including such aircraft. Once an airline does that, it is bound by that decision. A contract is a binding agreement, after all.

Jim

As a CP, I would be concerned (and shocked) about IDB, but what is worse for me is what the agent said to the customer! He/she, if the OP was the last to present him/herself at the gate and proper procedure was followed, should have been given a polite explanation as to why he/she was IDB. Rude customer service makes me angrier than anything and on those grounds I would write.

I concur with you. The IDB is not going to be fun for any of the parties involved. However if the situation did have to happen then it should have been dealt with in a very polite/professional manner.

How does one determine which CoC applies to them? Is it US' on 037 stock and HP's on 401 stock? That's probably an important distinction depending on how the flight was booked. Or is it measured by who operated the flight?

Contract of Carriage

The Contract of Carriage contains US Airways’ general terms of transportation applicable to the transportation of passengers and their baggage on all flight segments. These terms constitute the conditions upon which US Airways transports passengers when they purchase a ticket from our airline. The Customer First Commitments are contained within these rules.

We are in the process of merging with America West Airlines and are currently reviewing the Contract of Carriage documents for both airlines. In the near future, we will publish a merged Contract of Carriage document, but for the time being each airline has its own Contract of Carriage. For travel on US Airways operated by America West Airlines, please refer to the America West Airlines documents. For travel on US Airways, please refer to the US Airways document. We thank you for your patience during this transition period.

Jim

PS - Mesa's CRJ-900 operations in the east are technically HP Express even though they're flying legacy US routes.

JAaronT is correct when he says that the DOT rules do not apply to flights on aircraft that seat less than 60 people.


While JAaronT is correct about the DOT rules, US COC includes US Airways Express in the compensation rules concerning IDB and cash options unless it was a Mesa's CRJ-900 operated under HP control.

:eek:
Chairman’s and Plats have guaranteed seating.


I believe it says that we have guaranteed seating if we buy a full fare ticket

I believe it says that we have guaranteed seating if we buy a full fare ticket

There's also an (I think 48 hours) advanced booking requirement. You can't just walk up to a gate with an oversold flight and insist on a seat.

That would be kind of cool though. Especially if they let you pick who you want to boot ... "That guy with the Dodgers hat. I want HIS seat."

While JAaronT is correct about the DOT rules, US COC includes US Airways Express in the compensation rules concerning IDB and cash options unless it was a Mesa's CRJ-900 operated under HP control.

I was refering to DOT rules, and DOT rules only. An airlines CofC is seperate.

There's also an (I think 48 hours) advanced booking requirement. You can't just walk up to a gate with an oversold flight and insist on a seat.

That would be kind of cool though. Especially if they let you pick who you want to boot ... "That guy with the Dodgers hat. I want HIS seat."

Good idea! I think that's how I'm going to do it for now on. But seriously say if your last passenger to board is a Chairman. What do you do? Go get the last person that boarded before him? And what if that person was a Chairman also? Do you keep going until you get someone who isn't a Chairman? Since I have never been in this position I think I'm going to ask some of my co-workers today what would be the proper procedure. :)

Good idea! I think that's how I'm going to do it for now on. But seriously say if your last passenger to board is a Chairman. What do you do? Go get the last person that boarded before him? And what if that person was a Chairman also? Do you keep going until you get someone who isn't a Chairman? Since I have never been in this position I think I'm going to ask some of my co-workers today what would be the proper procedure. :)

Keep us posted on the consensus opinion.

But seriously say if your last passenger to board is a Chairman. What do you do? Go get the last person that boarded before him? And what if that person was a Chairman also? Do you keep going until you get someone who isn't a Chairman?
Well, for starters, it has nothing to do with when a passenger boards. Per the CoC, IDB is based on check-in time, DM status, and disability/unaccompanied status. Boarding order is not in there.

So you do what GA's (including you, I suspect) always do - anticipate.....

If the flight is overbooked, start soliciting potential volunteers when you start processing the flight.

If it becomes obvious that more passengers are properly checked in (that's in the CoC also, and doesn't exempt DM members), start soliciting or taking actual volunteers.

If it comes down to it, go on the plane and solicit volunteers.

In a worst case where IDB's are required, follow the CoC.

In theory, a GA should never face the situation where a passenger is boarding a plane without an empty seat waiting for them. I'll admit, though, that I had just that happen not too long ago in PHL (go figure) - a passenger standing in the aisle with not an empty seat in sight. The GA asked for volunteers, got a couple traveling together, and we left with one empty seat. The couple, BTW, were sitting in F/C so presumably at least one was a DM member. Since they volunteered, any DM status was irrevalent.

Jim

... But seriously say if your last passenger to board is a Chairman. What do you do? Go get the last person that boarded before him?...

As stated in the welcoming kit brochure, one of the Chairman's Preferred benefits is:

Exclusive Guaranteed Coach Seating

You are guaranteed to receive a seat on any US Airways flight when you purchase an unrestricted fare (Y class). To secure your seat, call the Personal Liaison Desk at least 24 hours before your flight.

I would assume that if the CP Desk, having sold me such a tix last-minute, would also take the necessary steps to assure a coach seat for me...how I don't know, but probably alerting the station manager or gate agent to start asking for volunteers early! AFAIK, the guarantee is not void because of being the last to board.

Good idea! I think that's how I'm going to do it for now on. But seriously say if your last passenger to board is a Chairman. What do you do? Go get the last person that boarded before him? And what if that person was a Chairman also? Do you keep going until you get someone who isn't a Chairman? Since I have never been in this position I think I'm going to ask some of my co-workers today what would be the proper procedure. :)

Ask for volunteers like you were supposed to before boarding the flight? ;)

Well, for starters, it has nothing to do with when a passenger boards. Per the CoC, IDB is based on check-in time, DM status, and disability/unaccompanied status. Boarding order is not in there.

So you do what GA's (including you, I suspect) always do - anticipate.....

If the flight is overbooked, start soliciting potential volunteers when you start processing the flight.

If it becomes obvious that more passengers are properly checked in (that's in the CoC also, and doesn't exempt DM members), start soliciting or taking actual volunteers.

If it comes down to it, go on the plane and solicit volunteers.

In a worst case where IDB's are required, follow the CoC.



Jim

I have never been in this situation because we always plan ahead and at my station we have a lot of other options in the way of other airlines. Volunteers are never really an issue. The only time I could see myself running into this issue is with a weight restriction. You may have 50 people booked on a CRJ-200 all with seat assignments and you are only allowed to take 45. As far as I know the last people to board will be the ones IDB. Then say the last person to show up is a Chairman what do you do? In this case preferreds are allowed to board first and that should eliminate the need for them to be IDB. Maybe thats what the CofC meands by "Boarding preference given to preferred DM members?"

Weight and balance is usually worked out before boarding but I have worked some ERJ 145's that ended up being weight restricted after everyone was boarded up due to the amount of carry-ons.

Ask for volunteers like you were supposed to before boarding the flight? ;)

Oh is that what you do? ;)

As far as I know the last people to board will be the ones IDB.
Which is apparently the belief of the agent whose actions led to this thread.....

Neither HP nor US, for domestic flights, specifies boarding order as the means of determining who is IDB'd.

Having gone over the US CoC, it's not worth quoting again, so here's the HP language on IDB's for domestic flights (sorry for the caps, but that's the way HP's CoC is written):

INVOLUNTARY
1) BOARDING PRIORITIES

IF A FLIGHT IS OVERSOLD AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS, OTHER PASSENGERS MAY BE DENIED BOARDING INVOLUNTARILY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING:

A) THE LAST PASSENGER(S)WITHOUT A SEAT ASSIGNMENT TO PRESENT HIM/HERSELF AT THE BOARDING GATE WILL BE DENIED BOARDING IN THE EVENT OF AN OVERSALE.

B) REASONABLE EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITES, ELDERLY, AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE.

So if the first person that boarded was the last to get a seat assignment at the gate, guess who gets IDB'd under the HP CoC (assuming they don't fall under B above).

The tricky issue under the HP CoC seems to be the case where everyone has a seat assignment before reaching the gate. If that is the case, it seems to leave the GA pretty much freedom - except for the "disabilities, etc" passengers - once volunteers have been sought.

Lastly, despite the DOT exemption of aircraft having less than 60 seats, the HP CoC also says:

FOR AMERICA WEST EXPRESS FLIGHTS, ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORTATION APPLICABLE TO HP SPECIFIED IN THIS TARIFF APPLY EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFICALLY NOTED.

Jim

Oh is that what you do? ;)

It does keep the anger and cash compensation to a minimum. ;)

Of course, FlyerTalkers worth their salt who wanted a bump would have known the flight was over before you asked for volunteers and would have been waiting at the podium for you to open the gate. :D

My wife, a gold member, was involuntarily bumped from a US flight with no offer of compensation. When I protested, I was told that she voluntarily made a change to a later flight that was a connecting flight, not a non-stop like I booked and paid for her.

So basically, whichever agent involuntarily bumped her from the flight maliciously documented her record that it was a voluntary change and they refused any compensation whatsoever. She was livid and in tears at the airport, considering she was getting in four hours later on a 200 mile flight.

Welcome to the new US Folks!

:td:

There was a time when I'd had agents protect a seat for me on an oversold flight (as a CP at the time) when they were not even sure if I'd make the connection.

And now we have this.

US did this to me once last year on a full-Y ticket. I immediately refunded it and walked over to the UA counter. That an airline would do this to a top level elite boggles the mind.

There was a time when I'd had agents protect a seat for me on an oversold flight (as a CP at the time) when they were not even sure if I'd make the connection.

And now we have this.

US did this to me once last year on a full-Y ticket. I immediately refunded it and walked over to the UA counter. That an airline would do this to a top level elite boggles the mind.

I've not had it happen to me, but am taking your word at face value.

My suggestion is to create a new domain like USARWAYSDMPISSEDOFF.ORG and solicit details on treatment like this. If your experience is even 1% of the DM population, you should get enough dirt to bring this to the attention of Mr. Parker and team.

I really wish NYCommuter would chime in to give us some more details. Anyways...

Here is exactly what the US Airways East CofC says about IDB (copy and pasted right from it)

"Involuntary
Boarding Priorities: If a flight is oversold and there are not enough volunteers, US Airways may be
required to deny boarding involuntarily, in accordance with the following:
�� The last customer(s) to present him/herself (themselves) at the boarding gate may be denied
boarding in the event of an overbooked flight.
�� Boarding preference will be given to Dividend Miles members based on their status in the program
and time of check-in.
�� Special efforts will be made to never involuntarily deny boarding to customers requiring special
assistance or unaccompanied minors."

Today I spoke with 3 co-workers, two of which have been with the company for 20+ years and 2 supervisors. They all said that if a flight was oversold and there were no volunteers you would have to deny whoever did not have a seat assignment. This can very well be a Chairman. I actually once had two people on the oversold list that were a Chairman and Gold, and luckily got volunteers. They all also said that this would be very very rare because I'm sure 95% of the time a preferred pax will have a seat assignment. Now say if there are 3 people on the list without seats they go on the list in order of their status just like an upgrade list. And if you have 1 Chairman and 2 non-preferreds and one seat the seat would go to the Chairman. I think my co-workers were wondering why I would ask such a random question on a day when the loads were light. ;)

I've not had it happen to me, but am taking your word at face value.

My suggestion is to create a new domain like USARWAYSDMPISSEDOFF.ORG and solicit details on treatment like this. If your experience is even 1% of the DM population, you should get enough dirt to bring this to the attention of Mr. Parker and team.

I think a reading of this forum from the beginning until now would accomplish the same thing. The UA folks have tried this in various forms (parkermustgo.com or somesuch and untied.com).

You already have FFOCUS. After black tuesday (the attempt a few years ago to limit EQMs on anything but full Y tickets), there were several of us who started faxing expensive (transatlantic J for me, at the time) itins on other carriers to Crystal City and letting them know why. I have voted with my dollar--going from over 100k miles on US to maybe 25k this year if I'm lucky. I find this to be the better form of protest. Many people (notably the FFOCUS crowd) has tried to work with CCY and now the Sandcastle for years. I get the impression (particularly from the Sandcastle) that they just don't care. Which is okay--I had already decided to move revenue away from US long before the merger. Tempe has not given me any real reason to reverse that decision.

Tempe, in my mind, figures they can combine wages/costs artificially lowered with a strategy of pissing off (by being cheap and punitive about the FF program and pricing) just few enough of their frequent flyers with the theory they can grab new customers in their (the VFFs) place. Sooner or later, that gravy train (of new flyers) will run out. Much like l4pi, I have simply taken a bulk of my business elsewhere. I'll fly US when they are cheapest and/or they are my only option. Other than that, I've voted with my buck. DL and UA (the primary recipients) seem okay with that.

In that particular instance, I simply did not feel like standing there fighting with the gate agent and/or escalating to a manager was going to be worth the time/effort--by that, I don't expect anything I do to change the outcome or future behavior. Walking over to the UA counter was the path of least resistance. I no longer have the time or energy to "fight the good fight" (a la FFOCUS).

Wow- didn't expect this amount of feedback, so thank you!

More details:

1. What kind of aircraft were you on? A321
2. Were you the last person to present themselves for boarding. No
3. Did you have a seat assignment? Yes
4. What station were you at? Which metal? CLT; US
5. Did they solicit volunteers? Not sure
6. What kind of compensation were you given? Rebooked on a later flight

NYCommuter, that really sucks. A CP with a seat assignment getting IDBed is completely inexcusable. That's the kind of treatment that wwould make me switch airlines. Please take the time to complain - I know it's a pain, but if they don't hear about it, this treatment will continue.

It boggles the mind that they would IDB anyone -- CP otherwise -- without providing the compensation demanded by the CoC. That's really bad.

... A CP with a seat assignment getting IDBed is completely inexcusable. ....

I definitely agree. And in CLT, no less - I connect or originate from there all the time, and it strikes home.. I've received excellent treatment in CLT, but, as a long-time poster notes, there's a lot of new faces there these days.

NYCommuter , was the CP Desk any help at all in this situation?

After simmering down (from the GA's snotty attitude more than the IDB, really), I'd have called the Desk. True, they can't do much as it's under airport control. But they can, and will, call the station manager/supervisor/GA to ask for an explanation, and at least independently document the facts for a written complaint later (and I hope you follow up with this).

I would also have voiced my displeasure at the Club - the wonderful ladies there would at least help me reach the supervisor on duty or the station manager, if the GA had been unable to do so.

Just hope this is an aberration, and not a trend.

There was a time when I'd had agents protect a seat for me on an oversold flight (as a CP at the time) when they were not even sure if I'd make the connection.

And now we have this.

US did this to me once last year on a full-Y ticket. I immediately refunded it and walked over to the UA counter. That an airline would do this to a top level elite boggles the mind.

Did you collect the IDB compensation and then head to UA? ;)

Wow- didn't expect this amount of feedback, so thank you!

More details:

1. What kind of aircraft were you on? A321
2. Were you the last person to present themselves for boarding. No
3. Did you have a seat assignment? Yes
4. What station were you at? Which metal? CLT; US
5. Did they solicit volunteers? Not sure
6. What kind of compensation were you given? Rebooked on a later flight

Thanks for the extra details! Yeah I would write a letter to US pronto! I really don't understand what would be the reason for this IDB. And in CLT? I thought for sure you were in PHL. Please keep us updated.

Thanks again for all of the replies. I didn't call the CP desk during the hassle but will write US.

I am going with UA from now on whenever possible.

I give up. My miles from another flight didn't post. When I went to the website to request mileage credit, after multiple error messages, a message appears stating that my ticket wasn't eligible for miles. (How? I bought it on usairways.com, like I always buy my tickets.) And when I tried to check in online today for a flight tomorrow, multiple people's confirmation codes appeared, and I had gotten other people's upgrade emails.

I finally have now realized that this airline is full of incompetence, and I cannot expect it to get anything right.

I hadn't mailed my complaint to US yet but will not now- who knows, perhaps my complaint will be noted in my record and I'll get more abuse from other employees.

UA, here I come!

I hadn't mailed my complaint to US yet but will not now- who knows, perhaps my complaint will be noted in my record and I'll get more abuse from other employees.

UA, here I come!

Why didn't you call the Dividend Miles number or the Chairman desk to help with the miles? Seems like they would be able to help.

And you should call the Chairman desk about the original situation you had. I'm sure they would take care of you if what your OP said is able to be verified.

I give up. My miles from another flight didn't post. When I went to the website to request mileage credit, after multiple error messages, a message appears stating that my ticket wasn't eligible for miles. (How? I bought it on usairways.com, like I always buy my tickets.) And when I tried to check in online today for a flight tomorrow, multiple people's confirmation codes appeared, and I had gotten other people's upgrade emails.

I finally have now realized that this airline is full of incompetence, and I cannot expect it to get anything right.

I hadn't mailed my complaint to US yet but will not now- who knows, perhaps my complaint will be noted in my record and I'll get more abuse from other employees.

UA, here I come!

Well there are many reasons to choose UA, but if a major reason for jumping ship is better (or even marginally less inept) IT, I fear you may be disappointed.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; PPC; 240x240) Opera 8.60 [en])

Wanna bet on that one? Lots of new faces in CLT.

Like the others suggested, go after this one with a vengeance......

BTW, there is no provision for elites getting preference in the HP CofC, so I would look for this to become the norm in the future. Just another sign that Tempe could not give a rats behind about elites......


We know you hate US these days, why do you insist on keeping up the crappy attitude towards them on this board??

Shouldn't you be on the Delta board praising them. Someone needs to

Maybe he wants to. In fact, now that I think about it, I should rather like to post on this thread as well.

I was going to say maybe the agent figured that CPs fly US so much that they can put up with anything so they might as well be the ones bumped. ;)

Im actually ticketed on a US flight next week so I thought I would drop by and say ho to some of the US oldsters like l4p. Well, it is the shuttle and I will be using UA to acrue miles but still..... I hope my posting is okay.

After having an extremely negative experience with US last year, I was livid for months and really let the agent's abuse get to me, and I spent months following up to get my complaint addressed. This time I am not going to allow that airline's behavior occupy a moment of my time or thoughts. After now two terrible experiences, I'm going elsewhere.

And so I called the CP desk now to get the missing mileage credit at least and they have no record of me taking the outbound flight in my round trip- yet another US inept practice!

After having an extremely negative experience with US last year, I was livid for months and really let the agent's abuse get to me, and I spent months following up to get my complaint addressed. This time I am not going to allow that airline's behavior occupy a moment of my time or thoughts. After now two terrible experiences, I'm going elsewhere.

And so I called the CP desk now to get the missing mileage credit at least and they have no record of me taking the outbound flight in my round trip- yet another US inept practice!

I was a CP for about 7 years, and based on NY. While there are some things I miss, the LGA Club staff and the "old" CP desk, I can say with considerable confidence that while not perfect, you will be very, very pleased with a change to either UA or AA for your travels. I would be confident picking either depending on which is best for your travel patterns. And dont forget, as an EXP on AA you get unlimited free domestic upgrades.

I was a CP for about 7 years, and based on NY. While there are some things I miss, the LGA Club staff and the "old" CP desk, I can say with considerable confidence that while not perfect, you will be very, very pleased with a change to either UA or AA for your travels. I would be confident picking either depending on which is best for your travel patterns. And dont forget, as an EXP on AA you get unlimited free domestic upgrades.

Agree wholeheartedly about AA. I've been very unimpressed with UA.

I'm off to mourn the fact that I'm PHL based and AA just can't get me where I need to be when I need to be there unless I'm working in SoFL, TX or Chitown. Hopefully my cholesterol won't get too high from the snack basket on US now that it's 20 segment months (without any extra connections booked on purpose...)