Once (on a United flight) I jumped the gun and asked the gate agent "if the flight was oversold to the point of asking for volunteers". He said something like, "Yes, just have a seat." But he did not take (lift) my ticket. I sat down about 20 feet from the podium and watched as people boarded and listened through the final boarding call. When the jetway door closed without my hearing my name being called to board, I got up and casually asked him about my bump status. He didn't start off with "Oh my God" but he did say, " you should be on the flight." He had the ramp folks open the door again and I hurried onto the plane.

I did write a letter to United about the incident, asking what I should have been done better.

For Flyertalk readers, my question would go, "should I be one of the gate lice in order to better eavesdrop on what gets said at the podium?"

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