I was bumped off of a flight recently that was - I forget, Y1 or Y2. When I mentioned to the RedCoat that seats were still being offered for sale, she told me that she knew . . . . They had to put something like 7 non-rev positive space employees on it at the last minute, to expedite them to MSP!

This is wholly incorrect. Delta has absolutely no obligation to tell you anything about flight load data. In fact if you ask, you're more likely than not to get told that they can't tell you that information.

Having access to TravelNet is the most accurate way to know, although even travelnet can be incorrect from time to time

The emergency exit rows may also be blocked out !

Positive Space passengers may have been a crew deadheading to operate
a flight.

It's not about being snarky. Many of us pay for this service and do not appreciate solicitations for the information we choose to spend our money to obtain.

For those who are looking to make better use of EF, the following should be helpful:

Expert Flyer User Guide
Understanding how to use ExpertFlyer to your advantage.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...es-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html

I don't mind giving EF detials every now 'n then. It can show people how cool it really is to have all of this info, & possibly turn some into otherwise paying customers, but, if the same person was to habitually want EF availability info - - NOT!

:)

Much, though not all, of the information on EF is on FlightStats for free. Again, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles--and there are times where all DL flights simply disappear from its search results--but it's vastly more informative than a seat map. I've correctly predicted 3 op-ups as well as 1 non-op-up in the last few months all based on FlightStats and what DL was selling.

Agreed and I will help someone occasionally. At one point, it seemed like it was out of hand.

:)

Thanks everyone. Just signed up for the free trial. Lots of cool stuff in there. Which I find more interesting are my flights down there on 10/17
Delta 87 showing J2 C2 D0 I0 Z0 Y9 B0 M0 S0 H0 Q0 K0 L0 U0 T0 X0 V0 E0
Delta 1140 showing F5 P5 A5 G1 Y5 B0 M0 S0 H0 Q0 K0 L0 U0 T0 X0 V0 E0
both have available seats on the map on delta.com

Of course, the appeal of getting bumped lessens for me when flying to your destination vs. flying from, especially as this means I'm probably spending Thursday night in NYC.

If bumped, would I be able to get rebooked on a flight from LaGuardia or would I have to fly from Kennedy. Also, assuming the next flight is early the following morning, would Delta spring for our hotel or would we be on our own for that??

Back in the day, a bump generally meant a hotel voucher as well.

I have lost all of my bump mojo....so got no recent experience to share. :(:(

+1

This is accurate information (and terminology).

+1

This is also accurate. DL is required to tell you IF it is overbooked, but not by how many

This is also true but if anyone who has access to TravelNet starts quoting data here on FT, they will not have access (or possibly a job) for much longer.

At a week out (in the OP's case), the bottom line is: No one knows. DL purposely oversells because they can predict with some sense of accuracy how many changers and no-shows there are likely to be. As MSPeconomist said, you won't know for sure if it is really oversold until immediately before the flight.

My understanding is that USA carriers are required to tell you whether a flight is overbooked if you ask, but they are not required to tell you by how much (and they generally won't). I believe this is a DOT regulation. It may apply only if you are purchasing a ticket or have purchased a ticket, so that one can't call to ask about some random flights.

It actually is not. Even the DOT, in their passenger rights section, interchange oversold and overbooking when explaining passenger rights. Same meaning just different ways of saying it. If it is necessary to have a volunteer or "un"volunteer (read: IDB) come off the flight, it turns into a bumping situation. The only thing the airline is required to tell you is if you are in danger of becoming an IDB.

That being said, looking at EF, it shows 9 seats available in Y. I can't imagine, unless there is a huge no-show factor for those starting out in MSY, that it's oversold.

Actually, your response is incorrect. They don't have to tell you the actual flight load, but they DO tell you if the flight is overbooked.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...avel-faqs.html

How can I learn if a flight is overbooked?

Our reservations representatives and customer service agents will let you know if your flight is overbooked, on request.

So like I said, just call.

David

What about my flight leaving NYC that currently reads:
Delta 87 (to ATL) showing J2 C2 D0 I0 Z0 Y9 B0 M0 S0 H0 Q0 K0 L0 U0 T0 X0 V0 E0
Delta 1140 (ATL to MSY) showing F5 P5 A5 G1 Y5 B0 M0 S0 H0 Q0 K0 L0 U0 T0 X0 V0 E0

There is a 7pm non stop from LaGuardia to New Orleans with plenty of availability. Would I have any luck calling Delta and asking to be switched?? I'd like to think they'd want to do it since it would free up space on a potentially oversold flight, but I'm assuming they'll only do it with a hefty change fee.