Originally Posted by
eng3
There is always the possibility that no one will take the VDB offer. There will always be the possibility for unusual circumstances (this case). That is why DOT allows for IDB. Not allowing crews to get where they need to go would cause delays and cancellations affecting hundreds of people. Not capping the VDB offers would just allow people the abuse the system. Both cases driving up fares. They could just fly all the planes at 50% capacity from now on and double all the fares. That would alleviate the situation but then people will complain about fares.
The IDB system now is fine. If the system changes at all, it still will not make any difference. All this assumes people behave rationally. It wont stop a DYKWIA from decided it is more important for him to cause a scene and potentially delay hundred of people than follow a written procedure that have existed for years.
The likelihood of no one taking a VDB offer is almost impossible. It's called tragedy of the commons. When you're talking about 50+ people, the chances of them all colluding together to not take an offer is pretty unrealistic. Someone will crack. Haha, it's how cops get confessions/get people to finger each other in a crime involving a group.