Originally Posted by
WorldLux
The first question is: Who is responsible for allocating more seats than available? The passenger? No, the airline. It earns extra money by doing so. If nobody wants to deplane for $800, they should've raised the offer. At some point, somebody will volunteer.
Passengers are responsible for choosing to book an airline that overbooks.
Because this is so sensitive, the government regulates involuntary denied boarding. It seems the real complaint here is that the government-mandated IDB isn't good enough.
Reality is that just because you got a seat on a flight doesn't mean you'll get to your destination. Weather, poor customer service, poor employee training, and operational issues (which are the airline's fault) could all keep you from getting there. If you get hit with IDB and don't get there within a few hours, the government will require the airline give you four-fold what you paid.
Exactly what else do you want? I don't think a "might makes right" policy where whoever gets on the plane first has some God-given legal right to stay there makes sense.