Originally Posted by Efrem
As EXP, I've been told more than once that it's basically my call if I want to be bumped or not. If I don't want to be, I won't be, period, end of discussion. Not having an assigned seat doesn't matter; someone else will be, and I'll get his/hers. If I want to be, I'm at the head of the list - barring some other EXP making the same request earlier.
That's how it was always explained to me when I flew AA. About once/year, I'd be the only Plat on a weight restricted Eagle flight, and I got the bump every single time.