This is an important point. It may well be that AC is no better or worse than others, but it doesn't excuse the fact that they are apparently not properly applying their guidelines for DB.

DBs occur with every airline. That's a fact of life. The medal goes to the airline that handles this the best, not the airline that obscures the situation when it happens, or the airlines that seeks to do no worse than its competitors or that hides behind the "we don't have to" chorus line.

Everyone could use more transparency and frankly I don't see why AC cannot take the lead and provide clear easily-accessible rules on DB. They are not forced to, but they could just do it because it's their own guidelines and they want to be clear on what will happen in such situations. After all, a lot of anger is generated by lack of knowledge by pax on what they are entitled to: many passengers have unreasonable expectations and clarifying the situation up front at the time of sales would go a long way to create good will.

I personally think that rules on DB should be posted at every gate, but I'm dreaming in technicolor. I also personally think that prospective passengers should be informed that they are about to buy a ticket on a oversold flight. If ALL airlines could do this, it would become harder for harsh words to be exchanged in the heat of the moment... 'cuz let's face it, it's NOT fun being DB.