Originally Posted by canopus27

About 2-3 years ago I was flying on AC from YYZ - LAS. The flight boarded, and then there was a (minor) mechanical issue that took them an hour or so to resolve. By the time that was cleared up, the outside air temperature had risen (it was a hot summer day), and the plane was now overweight for takeoff in the current conditions.

The crew (and AC) honestly handled it very well. They announced (again, we're all onboard at this point) that five people needed to get off. They said that every person who got off would be given $500 in cash, and a guaranteed seat in J to get to Vegas on the next flight (which was in 5-6 hours from then).

There was almost a stampede to take this offer, there was a line of people down the aisle trying to get off. They literally had to turn people away ("sorry, you have to stay onboard and take the flight as scheduled" )

That's how this should be done. OK, perhaps not the "already onboard" part ... but make a good enough offer to the passengers that you get willing volunteers. No one needed to get punched in the face, or even complain to the CBC.