New UA's IDB and downgrade comp?
Jul 4, 2012, 2:45 pm
#16
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Jul 4, 2012, 2:45 pm
#17
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Weight restriction is the big exception to all the IDB rules. I don't think they even are required to give you a voucher; basically falls in the same category as weather.
Jul 4, 2012, 2:53 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2012
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To UA's credit, they were treating it as being overbooked. There were a handful of other flights in the same situation. Had something to do with the heat and elevation at Denver. Larger flights (plus 60 pax) were given cash if involuntarily denied boarding. While waiting, I did hear them asking for volunteers on other flights, just not ours. For Austin, they need 17 people to give up their seats.
My interpretation is that if the plane is able to depart, and I'm not allowed to sit in my seat, I've been involuntarily denied boarding.
My interpretation is that if the plane is able to depart, and I'm not allowed to sit in my seat, I've been involuntarily denied boarding.
Jul 4, 2012, 2:57 pm
#19
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Jul 4, 2012, 4:04 pm
#20
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To UA's credit, they were treating it as being overbooked. There were a handful of other flights in the same situation. Had something to do with the heat and elevation at Denver. Larger flights (plus 60 pax) were given cash if involuntarily denied boarding. While waiting, I did hear them asking for volunteers on other flights, just not ours. For Austin, they need 17 people to give up their seats.
My interpretation is that if the plane is able to depart, and I'm not allowed to sit in my seat, I've been involuntarily denied boarding.
My interpretation is that if the plane is able to depart, and I'm not allowed to sit in my seat, I've been involuntarily denied boarding.
There is $0 compensation due here and the $400 voucher is simply a CS gesture. Seems tough, but safety comes first.
Jul 4, 2012, 4:08 pm
#21
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Have you read the DOT rule on IDB? It quite clearly only applies to overbooking and not to denied boarding for any other factors. These can include w&b issues such as you encountered, an MX issue with a seat so that it can't be used and so on.
There is $0 compensation due here and the $400 voucher is simply a CS gesture. Seems tough, but safety comes first.
There is $0 compensation due here and the $400 voucher is simply a CS gesture. Seems tough, but safety comes first.
Jul 4, 2012, 5:24 pm
#22
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If you have some reason to believe that UA violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the DoT rules — for example, there were volunteers but UA was unwilling to take them — you could file a DoT complaint at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/CP_AirlineService.htm and get a speedy response.
Jul 4, 2012, 7:13 pm
#23
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If you have some reason to believe that UA violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the DoT rules — for example, there were volunteers but UA was unwilling to take them — you could file a DoT complaint at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/CP_AirlineService.htm and get a speedy response.
(a) Subject to the exceptions provided in § 250.6, a carrier to whom this part applies as described in § 250.2 shall pay compensation in interstate air transportation to passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight as follows:
Jul 4, 2012, 7:20 pm
#24
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Jul 4, 2012, 7:23 pm
#25
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It's clear no compensation is due by virtue of the <61 aircraft passenger weight and balance loophole. It's not so clear the carrier still isn't obligated to follow its published DB procedure.
Jul 4, 2012, 8:07 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2012
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Not looking for anything. I was happy with the $400, took it and ran. Just unhappy I had to go through this without asking for volunteers or any option besides the boot while I was already sitting on the plane. I'll always check-in online from now on given that's how I got selected. Also didn't like the fact that the UA club rep wasn't willing to assist and blamed the problem on a separate carrier. I told her it said UA on the plane so I don't care about the internal politics.
Other than her, the ground staff did their best and I'm thankful they tried. Waiting for 3 hrs without any idea on what to do wasn't.
Other than her, the ground staff did their best and I'm thankful they tried. Waiting for 3 hrs without any idea on what to do wasn't.
Jul 4, 2012, 11:42 pm
#27
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Yes - You will get a speedy response. Maybe even a link to the Rule (cut and pasted below) with the comepnsation provision bolded. Of course anybody is free to file a complaint with anybody, but there's a reason why the rule says what it says.
(a) Subject to the exceptions provided in § 250.6, a carrier to whom this part applies as described in § 250.2 shall pay compensation in interstate air transportation to passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight as follows:
(a) Subject to the exceptions provided in § 250.6, a carrier to whom this part applies as described in § 250.2 shall pay compensation in interstate air transportation to passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight as follows:
This said, it was unfortunate that they did not seek volunteers first.
Jul 5, 2012, 7:05 am
#28
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WITHOUT asking for volunteers, (against Rule 25, section 2 of the Contract of Carriage)
In an actual overbooked/IDB situation, does the GA literally need to request volunteers at the gate? Or is the soliciting volunteers considered accomplished if the passengers are asked at the the check in kiosks/live/mobile check in?
Jul 5, 2012, 9:10 am
#29
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While I know the weight/balance/RJ issue negated this for the OP. I do have a question regarding "asking for volunteers":
In an actual overbooked/IDB situation, does the GA literally need to request volunteers at the gate? Or is the soliciting volunteers considered accomplished if the passengers are asked at the the check in kiosks/live/mobile check in?
In an actual overbooked/IDB situation, does the GA literally need to request volunteers at the gate? Or is the soliciting volunteers considered accomplished if the passengers are asked at the the check in kiosks/live/mobile check in?
Jul 5, 2012, 10:02 am
#30
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When airlines started using significant numbers of regional AC at <60 seats, which are very sensitive to weight issues during hot and dry weather, this then becomes more like a loophole. Larger aricraft do not have similar safety concerns, only if Phoenix is over 120'F then there may be some restrictions.