The issue of taking a bump or not is really variable on what is important to you at the time. I took a bump once to Grand Cayman when I was the only one willing and they were desperate. I was a college student then. There, the prepaid condos/dive packages, etc., were more than the compensation so no one else could "afford" it. I was crashing on my grandmother's couch and had not much to lose with still plenty of time on the beach. Part of the deal was an upgrade which was the only time at the time I ever had that chance. The $500 I got was money I really couldn't get any other way so easily. I was pleased as punch.

Now, I am extremely reluctant to take a bump as I will very likely pretty much always lose MUCH more money than they would ever compensate me (read - have office overhead, but no revenue if I am not in the office, could have pissed off customers and referral sources with an unscheduled absence, lose goodwill - $300-$600 would hardly dent the loss). Now, it is not worth it and I will gladly leave the bumps to other FTers who very much want them.