GOOD POINT!
Lost my exit row aisle when GA told me they'd need my seat, only to be relocated in a far less desirable seat on the same flight. This was Trans-Pacific too! So HEED THE WARNING!

Not possible on short notice, difficult even with a few days' notice, because it screws up the downstream route structure. Even if a 757 (for example) is available to replace an MD-80, the added cost of flying a 757 over an MD-80's planned routes - and, except for the first leg, carrying loads that would fit in an MD-80 - until they can get things straightened out again outweighs the cost of bumping a few people.

As for the 50-seater versus 200-seater question: airlines assign aircraft based on expected passenger loads, then sell tickets based on the capacity of the assigned aircraft, so the average chance of a bump is the same. However, since the law of averages tends to work better with large numbers, the statistical forecasts are more likely to be wide of the mark in either direction on the smaller plane. The distribution has the same mean, relative to aircraft size, but a wider spread. If they oversell a smaller plane, or run into some other problem that overloads it, it's more likely to be a doozy and they'd have more trouble getting enough volunteers. All in all, though, I wouldn't base bump planning decisions on aircraft size.

Shifting the conversation slightly. I am scheduled on the last HP flight of the night SFO-LAS Dec 22. Flight is oversold and I fully plan to be top of the list for bumping. My cuurent travel plans have me flying to LAS and driving to RNO that night. There are 2 more UA nonstops that night SFO-RNO with availability. Availability is still good considering the dates of travel when searching United.com - the US codeshares of these same flights show 0 availability.
United Airlines 6446 Y2 B2 M2 E1 U1 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 K1 L0 G0
United Airlines 240 F2 Y3 B3 M3 E3 U2 H1 Q1 V0 W0 S0 T0 K2 L0 G0 P0 A0

While HP and UA have e-ticketing agreements, will they reroute me to a different destination since there are no more flights out to LAS that night? OR will I end up renting a car and driving 4 hours instead?

They might re-route you. Better probability (almost assured) if it was the same carrier's metal. They'd get to keep the $$.

A weight bump can add to the chances of a bump on a smaller aircraft.

I live in a city where only NW Airlink turboprops operate. Both here and in MSP en route to here there have been times they have asked for volunteers due to weight/balance issues. It depends on the weather, number of checked bags, etc. A full flight with all 30 seats taken might be fine one day to take off but another day due to temperature or weight issues they have to ask for several volunteers off a flight booked to 30 passengers. Once in MSP I heard the GA asking for 7 volunteers off a 30 passenger plane (the next gate over, not my flight). That was due to weight issues.

Whether you accept a dollar off voucher or a free ticket should depend largely on how far in advance you plan and the destination you are likely to use the ticket. I find that the free ticket is often more valuable than $200 or $300 vouchers. That is because I tend to book way in advance with these vouchers, thus giving me access to seat availability. And I don't use them to FL during spring break, etc. It just depends on your travel and booking patterns.

great thread.

Let me see to increase chances
of being bumped -

Book an earlier flight on same day so if you do get
bumped you have a next flight to get on?

say flights at 9am, 12am, 6pm, take the 9am flight?

I've seen a lot more weight bumps on prop planes than jets. I guess Denver might be a good place for this strategy but it never worked for me.

If it works it would be limited to the summer also.

with over 60 flights in 2005 I did not get bumped once! I listed many times but no luck! Even flew the sunday after Thanksgiving!!!!!

A little sorry to blast YOU, but why the threadcrapping? The OP clearly stated that he wanted to know people's experiences. Very little (if anything) on FT is "scientific", as evidenced by the amount of "YMMV" posts on the site. What makes FT great is the fact that the "45 people's opinions" (nice grammar, BTW) come from 45 experienced road warriors, who are happy to share their knowledge and tips to help their fellow travelers.


The OP wanted to know people's experiences with getting bumped, and was looking for advice/opinions. He didn't say that he was from Gallup conducting a poll, or attempting a randomized, double-blinded study on bump frequencies.


jeez, and we wonder why people call us crabby and elitist...

Would you share a bit with us about the airlines your flying patterns how full the flights were etc... Are you saying you flew 60 segments or 60 trips? If I don't get 1 in 6 segments I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

Have you ever asked a gate agent at your frequent airport which flights produce the most bumps?

In the 80's this happened to me on the old Midway Airlines. I was the first off, for an offer of 1 rt ticket. By the time they got all 7 needed volunteers, they had to up to offer to 3 rt tix; the GA said "I don't know who got off for what offer, so I'm giving all of you the same three rt tix".

Came in very handy that year.