flights
 

where are the threads on
volunteers, stand by, airline changes flight information?

my son flight was changed by southwest but they didn't offer him any compensation. not sure if he was supposed to ask for any.

and we are flying in one month as a family so if the airline asks for volunteers I want to see what type of compensation should be expected.

I'm not aware of any specific forum for this. Have you tried using the 'advanced search' function? Or Google using the restriction 'site:flyertalk.com'?

I agree with LondonElite. More specifically, I would search for "IDB" (involuntary denied boarding) or "VDB" (voluntary denied boarding) using the 'advanced search' function or google (using the methods described in LondonElite's post). For more specific results while using the 'advanced search' function, you can select individual forums in the 'Search in Forum(s)' box.

The best place to search for IDB - use "idb" in the advanced search box, with quote marks - would be in the Southwest Ailines | Rapid Rewards Forum. Also try terms like denied for threads like this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...pensation.html

For assistance in using search, read: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...ve-thread.html

I don't think this is an IDB situation. Per the OP the flight was changed. Everyone was IDB'd :) :) :)

The best place to search for IDB - use "idb" in the advanced search box, with quote marks - would be in the Southwest Ailines | Rapid Rewards Forum. Also try terms like denied for threads like this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...pensation.html

For assistance in using search, read: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...ve-thread.html

And a friendly hint: creating a more descriptive thread title makes it easier for others to understand what the topic is, and to search (and it's required by the Rules as well). Link to this Rule. I honestly believe in my years on FT this title is deserving of "the most ambiguous title" award. :)

LOL NOOB mistake :) i didnt know a good thread title because i didnt know exactly what i was asking.

I think more information is needed to find out why the son was put on a different flight...

i dont think we know the flight was changed like a week before departure
with different departure and arrival times. is this common?
he had to change his schedule to make his flight.

but i was also looking for info on overbooked flights and volunteering compensation also. because our plans our open in a flight we are taking soon and if requested i would volunteer. i want to know the appropriate compensation. should a family of 4 offer to volunteer? or would one or two of us be ok. are we guaranteed next flight status?
are miles offered, points, cash, future flights?
we are flying
LAX-Miami- MCO
MCO-charlotte- NAS
NAS-Miami-LAX
(over a 2 week period)

Yes, its common as airlines experience schedule changes all the time and in your case the airline (south west) notified you (your son) well in advance of the flight. If the new flight schedule does not work for you, within reason, you can request a more suitable replacement flight or you could cancel without fee.

It will depend upon if your flight is oversold or not and how many seats the airline has to deny boarding. Usually the gate agent would announce they need people to volunteer and you can approach the gate agent to inquire about compensation and alternate flights. The amount of compensation is usually depend upon flight routes, and if the airline cannot find volunteers (VDB) then they would start deny boarding involuntary (i.e., IDB) with a higher compensation to those affected. You could invest sometime to browse thru the airline specific forums to see if there are existing threads.

[edit to add] Different airline may have different rules for compensation. OP, if your next set of flights are on southwest again, they appear to have uniform pricing for denied boarding compensation irrespective of routes. The rules are published at southwest airline's website and a quick Google search would land you right there.

Let me see if I can understand this... you have two separate, unrelated issues/questions here:

1. Your son booked a flight on Southwest. At some point prior to the departure date, Southwest notified the son that it had changed its flight schedules such that the flight's departure time was different than originally booked. Correct? (How much of a change was it - e.g., how many hours was the new departure time from the original?).

- Typically the passenger can cancel and get a refund without a fee if the schedule change was significant and the new times don't work for the passenger. It can vary by airline, but for example a 10 minute change in time isn't significant but a couple of hours or more might be. There isn't any right to additional "compensation" in such a situation other than a refund of the ticket if appropriate, as mentioned above.

2. You're inquiring, for future reference, about VDB (neither IDB nor VDB were the issue the son experienced with a pre-departure date schedule change, as I understand it).

- The alternate flight arrangements are up to you do discuss with the gate agent in determining whether to accept their VDB offer. The very next flight may or may not be available. Don't agree if you aren't willing to live with it.

- The "initial offer" from the GA may vary depending on the airline or the individual GA...some may try to low-ball initially others may come out with a decent offer right away. Some airlines may offer a free flight voucher, others a "dollars-off" voucher, the latter seems to be more common these days IME. I've not heard of cash being offered for a VDB. My assessment of what is fair usually depends on how long the delay is until my re-assigned flight would get me to my destination. On average I've usually picked up around $400 voucher (for domestic flights).

- Remember the GA's focus is on getting the flight out on time and avoiding an IDB. In other words they're looking for the path of least resistance. Make their life easier and you may improve the odds of being selected. For example, already have researched and written down alternate flight options that would work for you; don't try to ask for odd routings or something unusual; be pleasant and understanding; while you can negotiate the VDB compensation amount, don't be unreasonable or the GA may just move on to the next volunteer who will be "easier". If you've asked to be put on the volunteer list, stick right by the gate and be ready if you're called to the podium...they won't wait long before calling the next volunteer up.

Thanks this is the type of info i was looking for.
Yes you are correct in your assesments
.

i had come acrosss some post in the airline section i thought people outlining what to expect for compensationa nd i could not find it again.

out future flight plan is AA