Originally Posted by kavok

There is a very easy way to do this:
At check-in, which most people do online electronically, a question pops up asking how much it would cost for you to take a VDB. This would also be done at the check-in desk for those pax who do not check in electronically.

Provide the following eight options (or something similar):
$200, $400, $800, $1200, $2000, $10,000, "Would not accept any offer", "Enter Custom Amount"

Then you have a list of what each customer's price may be. Once you are in an overboard situation, you then:

Step 1- The Gate Agent calls up the person(s) who made the lowest bid, and asks them if they would be willing to be routed on different flight XXX-YYY for the amount they offered. If they say yes, one problem solved. If not....
Step 2- If they say no, you then ask them if they would take that routing for a higher amount, and what that higher amount would be. If that increased amount is still the lowest bid, accept and problem solved. If not...
Step 3- If the increased amount is above the next lowest bid, you document it and say we may come back to you if needed. You then call the person to the gate with the next lowest bid and repeat step 1.

99.9% of the time you will be able to VDB everyone using this system.