VDBs at non-DL stations

cmn.jcs · Jan 13, 13, 3:20 pm

Hi all, I have a possible (unlikely, but I'm crossing my fingers and sacrificing small fruits) oversale situation tomorrow. The airport is staffed by DL contractors; Air Elite or something like that if I recall correctly. Does anyone have experience with getting bumped out of places like this? Does DL not oversell flights going out of these airports since they don't have their own staff?

MSPeconomist · Jan 13, 13, 3:25 pm

DL still oversells such flights. VDBs will be handled by the contracted staff (possibly with the DL station manager looking on if there is one) as best they can, according to their interpretation of the rules. KLM staff should be pretty good at this, but if it's a real minor outstation with no JV staff present, who knows what will happen. They could just do IDBs, especially outside of the USA. What's the airport?

ADDED. Many Asian airports also seem to handle things well, so I wouldn't expect problems at HND, SIN, HKG, ICN, KIX, PUS, even with contract staff. MNL could be a different matter.

Ascii · Jan 13, 13, 3:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmn.jcs

Hi all, I have a possible (unlikely, but I'm crossing my fingers and sacrificing small fruits) oversale situation tomorrow. The airport is staffed by DL contractors; Air Elite or something like that if I recall correctly. Does anyone have experience with getting bumped out of places like this? Does DL not oversell flights going out of these airports since they don't have their own staff?

I've taken several VDBs at GNV which is/was staffed by Regional Elite. The process was the same. Some of the employees have a better grasp of the process than others. Then again, you could say the same about ATL GAs.

That said, GNV is the only airport that's every given me a voucher for a taxi to another airport (JAX) for my flight out... that was kind of odd, and expensive for DL considering the 90 minute drive.

ADDED: I assumed you were talking domestic. No clue on INTL.

davetravels · Jan 13, 13, 3:31 pm

I don't think DL would change booking policies re: VDB for specific airports. Don't forget that sometimes flights can end up in a VDB situation due to being overweight due to unexpected weather enroute, or similar, even if there are a lot of seats available - - especially small planes, like CR2s, which are frequently at tiny outstations.

As to how a contractor handles it - or how much DL$$$ they dole out - hopefully, somebody else can chime in.

MSPeconomist · Jan 13, 13, 3:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by davetravels

I don't think DL would change booking policies re: VDB for specific airports. Don't forget that sometimes flights can end up in a VDB situation due to being overweight due to unexpected weather enroute, or similar, even if there are a lot of seats available - - especially small planes, like CR2s, which are frequently at tiny outstations.

As to how a contractor handles it - or how much DL$$$ they dole out - hopefully, somebody else can chime in.

If the problem is that the aircraft is overweight or it's a very small plane, the usual VDB/IDB rules don't apply. There's no mandated compensation.

davetravels · Jan 13, 13, 3:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

If the problem is that the aircraft is overweight or it's a very small plane, the usual VDB/IDB rules don't apply. There's no mandated compensation.

While technically true, I've never seem them handle it that way. They always seem to pay up to pacify people.

MSPeconomist · Jan 13, 13, 3:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by davetravels

While technically true, I've never seem them handle it that way. They always seem to pay up to pacify people.

That's why I said no mandated comp for IDBs in such cases. What DL pays would be apology money or miles, customer service rather than compensation. It doesn't fall under the federal regulations on IDBs.

Of course if the flight is departing from the EU or certain other countries, different rules apply.

mspphl · Jan 13, 13, 4:52 pm

I think that it is more dependant on the individual agent and your attitude towards them. Because of the limited number of flights they are generally happy for someone to volunteer as it can be a long delay until the next flight.

Ascii · Jan 13, 13, 5:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

That's why I said no mandated comp for IDBs in such cases. What DL pays would be apology money or miles, customer service rather than compensation. It doesn't fall under the federal regulations on IDBs.

Legally, yes. In practice, my experience has been that DL treats weight and balance issues on the RJs the same as any other VDB situation. The last time it happened, they actually went to $600/each before getting a volunteer.

cmn.jcs · Jan 13, 13, 8:25 pm

Thanks all. I should have specifically mentioned that I was talking about a domestic airport--my apologies. Specifically, I'll be flying out of BIL on a CR2. I think I'll pick a pair of socks to be my lucky socks to increase my chances.