Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
If it's for weight and balance on a small plane, not so much.
http://cfr.regstoday.com/14cfr250.aspx#14_CFR_250p5
" passenger denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight shall not be eligible for denied boarding compensation if: ...
The flight for which the passenger holds confirmed reserved space is unable to accommodate that passenger because of substitution of equipment of lesser capacity when required by operational or safety reasons; or, on an aircraft with a designed passenger capacity of 60 or fewer seats, the flight for which the passenger holds confirmed reserved space is unable to accommodate that passenger due to weight/balance restrictions when required by operational or safety reasons; "
AC flies Dash-8s that seat 50, so yes, weight and balance lets them deny boarding.
You decided to play the VDB lotto with your travel plans. I assume AS's comp was more than $45, right? Seems like you're still a net winner if that's the case.
I think the weight and balance issue should be the airlines problem as passengers cannot control what and who is sitting where. If I were denied boarding due to a weight and balance issue could the airline pay my meal or grant me access to the airline lounge gratis? Lets say I was flying down to an important event and I allowed enough time for checkin and TSA procedures only to be told I'm bumped what compensation do I get?
I think the FAA should tell the airline you chose to fly the small planes now deal with the consequences. Then we would not have to contend with a CRJ but rather a 737 or Airbus 320 on the short routes.