Why didn't I get bumped
Jun 10, 2002 | 1:49 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
Mr. AOK
The cost of your ticket does not have anything to do with whether or not you are bumped. Just because you are 3rd or 4th in line does not mean you are first to be bumped. Bumping is pretty discretionary.
Factors used when deciding which volunteers to bump (in no particular order)
1 - checked luggage alot of times will exclude you from being bumped. Unless they are desperate from volunteers. Pulling luggage off of the plane takes time and they don't want to waste the time.
2 - sometimes they need multiple seats together for a family with small children they are trying to seat together, so a group of two or more is once again easier to bump. They only have to figure out one group alternative for the "bumpees"
3 - if all things are equal, some airlines factor in elite status. If you and "JoeElite" both volunteer to bump for the same flight then "JoeElite" will get the bump because he out ranks you.
4 - Maybe there was no alternative to get you to your destination. Maybe all the flights were full to your destination and if they bumped you they would have had to put you in a hotel for the evening. Other passengers who were bumped may have been going on to other destinations, so they had more options to reroute. For example you were going A to B. Other passenger was going A to B to C. Other passenger could be reaccomadated on Airline X going direct A to C. Since you were only going A to B there were no other flight to B to accomodate you on that day.
4 - Since it is so mysterious, maybe the agent just didn't like you. Maybe she didn't like your shoes? Life isn't always fair.
Without knowing the exact flying loads for the days you were flying no one is going to give you a definitive answer. If you are so curious ask the gate agent next time you are not bumped why you weren't selected.
You did all the right things.
1 - Don't board the plane.
2 - Have carry on luggage only
3 - Let gate agents (not ticket agents) know you are willing to be bumped.
4 - Have flexible travel times.
5 - know you options for getting to your destination (vlounteer that you are willing to take flight XXX at XXX time) check the flights that morning to see the availability of your alternative so you know what they are. If you propose an alternative then the agent doesn't have to hunt and peck for a reroute. (this worked out well for me once. I was on a flight from IAH to DAL. The flight was oversold and they were offering $300 voucher. I volunteered to be bumped if they could get me on the flight into DFW which landed 15 later. For flying into the alternative airport and 15 minutes I got $300)
------------------
Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
The Princess' Pictures
[This message has been edited by prncess674 (edited 06-10-2002).]
The cost of your ticket does not have anything to do with whether or not you are bumped. Just because you are 3rd or 4th in line does not mean you are first to be bumped. Bumping is pretty discretionary.
Factors used when deciding which volunteers to bump (in no particular order)
1 - checked luggage alot of times will exclude you from being bumped. Unless they are desperate from volunteers. Pulling luggage off of the plane takes time and they don't want to waste the time.
2 - sometimes they need multiple seats together for a family with small children they are trying to seat together, so a group of two or more is once again easier to bump. They only have to figure out one group alternative for the "bumpees"
3 - if all things are equal, some airlines factor in elite status. If you and "JoeElite" both volunteer to bump for the same flight then "JoeElite" will get the bump because he out ranks you.
4 - Maybe there was no alternative to get you to your destination. Maybe all the flights were full to your destination and if they bumped you they would have had to put you in a hotel for the evening. Other passengers who were bumped may have been going on to other destinations, so they had more options to reroute. For example you were going A to B. Other passenger was going A to B to C. Other passenger could be reaccomadated on Airline X going direct A to C. Since you were only going A to B there were no other flight to B to accomodate you on that day.
4 - Since it is so mysterious, maybe the agent just didn't like you. Maybe she didn't like your shoes? Life isn't always fair.
Without knowing the exact flying loads for the days you were flying no one is going to give you a definitive answer. If you are so curious ask the gate agent next time you are not bumped why you weren't selected.
You did all the right things.
1 - Don't board the plane.
2 - Have carry on luggage only
3 - Let gate agents (not ticket agents) know you are willing to be bumped.
4 - Have flexible travel times.
5 - know you options for getting to your destination (vlounteer that you are willing to take flight XXX at XXX time) check the flights that morning to see the availability of your alternative so you know what they are. If you propose an alternative then the agent doesn't have to hunt and peck for a reroute. (this worked out well for me once. I was on a flight from IAH to DAL. The flight was oversold and they were offering $300 voucher. I volunteered to be bumped if they could get me on the flight into DFW which landed 15 later. For flying into the alternative airport and 15 minutes I got $300)
------------------
Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
The Princess' Pictures
[This message has been edited by prncess674 (edited 06-10-2002).]
Jun 10, 2002 | 2:00 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
Now you are probably going to ask how do I check the loads. Use this site.
http://flyaow.com/classavailability.htm
http://flyaow.com/classavailability.htm