Originally Posted by
hockeyguy
There is no such thing as "an oversold passenger"; if the flight is oversold, then there are more confirmed reservations than there are seats, but no passenger has any more of "valid" ticket than anyone else. In that case, it's usually the most frequent fliers who are given "operational upgrades" to make room in the other cabin.
True, although that is when it pays to have a seat assignment (although in approaching oversell situations, I believe .bomb doesn't allow GMs / non-MP members to even choose seats, claiming they must be assigned at the airport). Pax with a seat assignment are in much better shape than those without!
It also pays to be checked in on time (via the Web, IMHO) so that one's seat doesn't become released and given to someone else, leaving that person in an "oversold" position and waiting for a seat via a no-show / VDB / an op-up to free up a seat.
I made the mistake years ago, as a 2P, of missing the check-in window for my flight and got a dreaded DM card for the last IAD-ROA flight of the day. I managed to get onboard, but barely. I couldn't believe all the college kids who were refusing a VDB (which I should have taken; the GA offered it to me and a seat on the next morning's flight, plus hotel, etc.; I was afraid of calling in late to work due to that at the time, though).