Originally Posted by
chornedsnorkack
Why do people get bumped both voluntarily and involuntarily?
Which is bigger - compensation for voluntary bumping, or compensation for involuntary bumping?
If the compensation for voluntary bumping is smaller, why would any passenger volunteer for bump?
If the compensation for voluntary bumping is bigger, why would the airline offer it?
The compensation for an involuntary bump is higher.
As for why a passenger volunteer, it is because there's much less chance you'd be the one to be IDB'd (involuntarily denied boarding). Volunteering ensures that if anyone gets bumped, it's you.
Also, there are times that the airline will increase the amount of the compensation for a voluntary bump if they don't get any volunteers with their first/second/third offer, etc.