"Booked over by a little bit"

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Jan 7, 2005, 11:03 am

#16

Tod E Tosser

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Jersey City, NJ USA

Posts: 975

Quote:

Originally Posted by channa

Don't hold your breath for a bump. I've found CO to be very good at the yield management game.

Agreed, especially since my flight has quite a few open BF seats. I just would like to have a contingency in mind since my plans are a little flexible for a change.

Jan 7, 2005, 11:06 am

#17

Tod E Tosser

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Jersey City, NJ USA

Posts: 975

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumpMe!

I'm always very gracious about it (even when it doesn't work out).
...talkative and humorous to personable agents.
...cordial and brief with introverted or frustrated agents.

No matter who it is, I NEVER hound them, and I never make it seem like I'm owed something.
That hurts vastly more than it helps.

I agree 100%, which is why I questioned even volunteering to begin with. It makes sense that any Op-ups should be rewarded to the most loyal customers, but I would imagine GAs have quite a bit of flexibility to steer them away from blowhards with an entitlement mentality.

Jan 7, 2005, 11:23 am

#18

Renard

Join Date: Oct 2002

Location: Houston

Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)

Posts: 5,770

Quote:

Originally Posted by channa

Don't hold your breath for a bump. I've found CO to be very good at the yield management game.

Yes they are very good at it! I have found the best way to get a bump is pretty unforeseen in advance. It's when 'something' happens (cancelled flight, delayed flight, etc) and a whole bunch of (several) people are rolled over at the last minute to your flight...and now all of a sudden it's overbooked! I have received more vouchers from this type of situation than from one where I anticipated and 'was ready' to volunteer.

I suspect...but of course am not sure... that they might do the op-upgrades on the LGW flights a little bit differently. (perhaps the departures from int destinations?) They are either done in advance in LGW or done in Houston the night before? I say this because a couple times in early 2004 I was op-uped at lgw at checkin and I was like one of the very first people to check in for the flight. I don't think that the gate agent did it there...she gave me the impression that it was 'already' done. Now of course this is all speculation.

Jan 7, 2005, 11:25 am

#19

MBM3

Join Date: Aug 2004

Location: CLE

Posts: 9,816

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod E Tosser

The blowhards make life sooo hard for the rest of us. I am tired of hearing them complain at checkin, PC or gate. I am certainly not all that happy about not getting EUAs or OpUps, but is it really going to do me any good to make the CO staff or my fellow travellers suffer? Heck no! I have always found that it pays to be polite and friendly - if it doesnt work then maybe the karma will rub off on future flights. Just as I expect to be treated professional I am sure each and every member of the CO staff expects the same.