As we look at restructuring, please consider a forum for discussing bumps. This is of quite a bit of interest to some, and of no interest to many others. Much of the discussion has gravitated to the Mileage Run forum so it might be possible to officially expand this to become Mileage Run/Bumps, or (probably better) just add a forum for discussion of bumps offered, bumps received, and bump strategies!

Do folks find this discussion useful (and welcome) in the Mileage Run forum?

Is it pretty airline specific (rules and policies, compensation, likelihood on particular flights/routes)? Or are there general bump issues? And are they distinguishable from mileage run and/or travelbuzz?

I'm genuinely curious about what folks think. (Not that anyone needs to satisfy my curiosity, just that the posts raises interesting questions.)

And FWIW when I read the topic title I assumed there was going to be a request for a forum for bumping old threads/posts. Y'know, like a separate OMNI or somethin'.

Gary,

I agree with you... I believe bumping discussions belong in the specific airlines. Rules, compensation, situation vary by airline.... and I believe bumping is an integral part of an airline. I would not want to have to surf several forums to find my information on United... I want it all in the United Forum... EXCEPT for coupons...

I believe "General" bumping strategy and information can remain in the mileage run forum...

William

Although it is never the focus of any of my trips, I am always on the lookout for VDB opportunities. As I fly more than one airline, it would make sense to me to have a forum for the discussion of bumps, rather than the odd bump thread in an airline forum or in Mileage Run.

These are both areas in which any discussions of bumps usually give way to bickering as to the appropriateness of such discussion in that particular forum. Those who are concerned about the temperature of their nuts are not usually interested in discussions of bumps. Not that nut temperature is unimportant, I love a ramekin of toasty nuts as much as anyone. But a well compensated bump really rocks my world. ^

I recently got a nice VDB on US and am looking very good once again for a Thanksgiving weekend bump on UA. I don't feel there is anywhere to post about either of these situations without arousing the thread police. I call it NIMFYD, Not In My Forum You Don't.

Just my $.02. I know there is a lot of resistance to change by many here, but a Bump Forum would really work for me.

I'll try to satisfy your curiousity, if you're still curious!

In the MR forum, there is some discussion regarding bumps - there's actually a thread that's been there for quite some time that gets bumped (no pun intended) up sometimes. I believe there's a link to it in the MR Tools thread. In general, if there are questions regarding specific airlines & their bump policy & procedures, then we move those threads to the specific airline forum. The reason this occurs is because of the following:

1) Each airline has different rules/regs when it comes to bumps in terms of what their rebook policy is & what they offer - this is something that's definitely airline specific.

2) Each market has different practices set in place. For example, if I were to get bumped on a Sunday out of PWM on DL, I'd be offered 400 bucks no question - out of MHT on DL in the same oversell situation, its 200 bucks with room to negotiate up to 400 bucks.

3) Each airline overbooks based on its own experiences - a 757 on CO out of IAH can be -15 & not end up needing volunteers and a DC-9 on NW out of IAD can be over by 2 and need 4 volunteers (yes, I did say 4 even though its over by 2 ).

That said - I do believe that bump threads that are not general discussion bumps should be moved into an airline specific forum. Now, if you're discussing strategy for a Thanksgiving bump run - then MR may be the right place for it since its a strategy placed trip, and that determination can only be made once the thread is posted (or if you want to PM a moderator, with your topic, we can help you decide the best place for it).

As for this concern: I would hope that any moderators that manage specific airline forums wouldn't have an issue with this and if they do, I would suggest you discuss with them, via PM or e-mail, why they have this outlook. If the resolution is not satisfactory, then feel free to contact Randy with your concerns.

bhatnasx
Mileage Run Moderator