For those familiar with the BUMP program, I’d like your advice and/or clarification. I do not know if I misunderstand the program and if I was asking NW to do something that it shouldn’t.

In short this is what I tried:
Holding e-ticket CO EWR-ATL T class and e-ticket DL ATL-MSP T class. Trying to BUMP NW direct EWR-MSP. Same day, NW flight wide open (meeting cancelled and at airport several hours early). GA at EWR says OK, issues me boarding pass. Supervisor pulls me off the soon-to-depart flight saying no BUMP program exists or I don’t qualify (did not take time to explain).

Would I qualify for the BUMP with the above tickets?

Longer explanation-

Originally ticketed on CO EWR-MSP and DL ATL-MSP. Arrive at EWR and ask at NW ticket counter if they will accept my CO and DL tickets under the BUMP program and fly me direct on NW. Ticketing agent not too familiar with the BUMP process. Says something about needing an endorsement for my e-ticket from Delta. She calls the help desk, but they do not seem familiar with the BUMP program either. Ticketing agent says that I cannot use a DL or CO ticket on NWA and says something about NW does not fly from EWR-ATL direct.

Realizing that agent may not be familiar with program, I hurry to gate to see if gate agent is familiar with program and if I could try to standby on flight. GA is familiar with program and says not a problem, flight is wide open. Takes my CO/DL e-ticket #s and issues me a boarding pass for NW EWR-ATL.

As I am sitting on the flight (one of the last pax to board), another GA approaches me and asks me to gather my items and get off. I ask for an explanation, and I am told that I need to immediately get off the flight. I follow the agent, who turns out to be the gate supervisor, and get a very poor answer as to what transpired. Supervisor says “there is no BUMP program for you, just as you were told at the ticket counter”. When I ask for further explanation as to what transpired and as to why I was issued a boarding pass, the supervisor writes his name on a piece of paper and tells me to call customer service. Refuses to talk to me further.

Call CS. Very upset by being pulled off flight. CS agent not familiar with BUMP. Does some research and told me that I cannot be processed under BUMP program because of the type of ticket that I was flying on.

FT-ers- Did I miss-understand the BUMP program? Was I asking NW to fly me on routing that they never would have been compensated for? Just trying to understand for future reference. It has been a frustrating process.