I have an interesting observation about voluntary denied boarding. Generally, my primary means of paying airfare is vouchers I get from "bumping." (I haven't had to pay airfare yet this year ) My general strategy so far has been buying tickets on flights which were likely to be oversold, and then hanging out by the gate area waiting for the airline to ask for volunteers. However, after reading come people's advice on the subject, I decided to be more agressive and instead of hanging out by the gate area come and ask the gate agent if they need volunteers. I did this twice, and both times, they needed volunteers, and both times I was not selected as a volunteer! Even though I was the first one to volunteer both times! My theory is that airlines are getting a wind of people like myself who make bumping their second major source of income , and are suspicious of people who seem too eager to volunteer. Next time, (I have tickets booked for the Thankgiving season ) I'll just lurk around the gate and wait for them to get desperate for volunteers...