VDB Game theory
 

Just wondering what people's strategies are for getting VDB. Do you volunteer right away or wait a bit based on the route?

I have a flight CLE-MDW 7:35am mon that is zeroed out -curious what the strategy should be seeing as how most of the flight will be business travelers (seems to be a lot of elites as no premium seating or exit rows were available at booking).

right away. be the first on line an hour before the flight (when staff gets to the gate) and volunteer immediately.

I agree, if you are looking to get bumped follow the advice above. I check with the gate agent an hour before every flight I can afford to take a later flight even if it's showing a half empty plane.

chewy3:

Let us know what happens. I've got 93 CO segments this year and have yet to score a bump voucher (including several CLE-ORD/MDW and BWI flights that were Y0 days before).

Good Luck.

Billiken

I get myself on the VDB list when checking in at the counter. This is one reason why I really detest the check-in machines. I always try to get a human being to check me in or at least look at my PNR.

My standard question to the counter agent is, "Is this flight heavily booked?" If anything close to yes to this question then I state, "I may have some flexibility today. I may be able to take a later flight if you need volunteers." At this point, I have established myself as a good guy, trying to help CO in a tough situation. If I get put on the list, fine. Over the years I've had all kinds of good things happen by volunteering.

If I have luggage, and if it's at all possible, I try to have my luggage tagged as being possibly a VDB when I check in. Some stations are better than others at this. Having checked luggage can sometimes get you bypassed as a volunteer.

I repeat my questions at the gate, if possible with the lead agent. I'm trying to establish who I am. I often point out where I'll be sitting if they need me.

In my youth I was VDB'd dozens of times; it was my frequent flyer program. Now, I like decent compensation, and I'm willing to pass half the time.

Always arrive at an airport with a good list of alternative flights one would consider; this is not specific to a VDB strategy, as one can be forced onto this list for other reasons. It's easier to figure this out at home with an internet than at the airport.

Many times when a VDB situation arises, the obvious alternatives are saturated. One can try to nab both the compensation and a seat in first. Consider as appropriate flying the next day or a different, indirect route, perhaps arriving at a different airport. CO can't read your mind on this, and you may propose an option attractive to you that beats anything CO can think to offer the other passengers. CO can break any routing rule they need to, to get you out of their hair.

If CO is lowballing the offer, and no one is budging, make a counteroffer and wait. The compensation can nearly double over time.

The only thing I'd add is try and sit or stand within eyeshot of the GA. If anything pops up at the last minute it will likely go to whomever is easiest to track down.

Thanks for the tips. I volunteered my seat at the hour mark - she apreciated this and held my boarding pass as the flight was overbooked but there were a couple no shows so they didn't need me in the end.

It was pretty funny to witness the boarding as 75% of the flight was Elite Access - those who were not were visibly annoyed when they attempted to board thinking all rows had been called ("oh they have to make sure the elite flyers get on the plane").

I've only been VDBed 2 times and both were in the same day. It was a CO flight CLE-BWI (needed just me) and they ironically put me on a even more heavily booked CLE-DCA (needed 8 volunteers) - as a previous poster stated to suggest new options, they originally wanted me to stay overnight and I suggested they look at IAD or DCA, sure enough they found confirmed space. Scored a $300 and $400 voucher that day.

I'm sure all the tips already given are very valid. However, I also think that if you are reasonably sharp, and keep your ears open, you can just get lucky. In February this year Mrs Duckhook and myself were returning to Ireland from a holiday in Florida. We waved good bye to our luggage in Orlando, and headed for Newark. At the gate at Newark volunteers were asked for. Mrs. Duckhook has stated several times that she has not seen me move that quickly for some considerable time.
After a very pleasant night at a nearby Ramada Inn, we spent the following day sightseeing in New York.
Back to the airport at night for our new flight, where I half overheard a conversation between the two Gentlemen handling the check in.
It went something like-
" So how many of my seats do you need?
Reply " All of them, and then some!"
I was already on the move at this stage, and as I arrived at the podium I was greeted with exactly the same message as the night before.
We were able to take advantage of that one as well.
A wonderful end to a very enjoyable holiday.

So my best advice would be, hover somwhere handy, keep your ears open and most important, SMILE.

I have one question re the above. Can anybody hazard a guess as to where our luggage spent the last two days of it's holiday.

Regards to all

We had quite a good time with it down here in the islands. But DH503, you really need to rethink that flowered speedo

Curious -- did they also hold your seat assignment, or did you lose that "in the end." That's always been one (rather strong) argument against volunteering for bumps, and I'm curious if it's still the case.

it usually works best if you ask them not to give up your seat assignment until theya re sure they need you

My seat assignmnet was held though it wasn't a major concern on this ERJ-145.

Luggage? Loose that.
 

Luggage? Let's see, does CO go to Botswana? ;)

My luck has been on the lfotd (last flight of the day) from IAH on a Sunday evening. They are almost always booked, and they give juicy bumps -- if available. However, they have been a bit slim lately. I always check witht he GA approximately 1 hour for mainline, 45 minutes for COEX -- or whenever they post the flight information by the gate. I always carry-on and I think that is a factor....but not always. Just call CO close to departure time and ask themif the flight if oversold, and go from there.

Happy Bumps!