MSPeconomist

fumje

If the bump was this morning (one assumption), and if the OP posted soon after it happened (another assumption), since the nephew tried to check in T-4h, it could easily have happened at 8a PDT. But yes, it could also have been on the east coast, or even CDT.

But it could also have been outside of US, since OP may not have heard and posted immediately after it happened.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Aussienarelle

Really? I thought on my most recent flight I could see the list of STBY pax who were successful including the seat they were assigned. This was on the app.

fumje

Cleared SBY do show for at least a day after the flight.

We could also wait for OP to post the flight number and see if runner450 can say anything.

MSPeconomist

fumje

Passengers without seat assignments (e.g., basic economy) don't show on standby, and they are counted toward the 'Full'/'Available' display on the flight status. It's only unconfirmed passengers on the standby list.

stevendorechester

If the flight was departing from the U.S then assuming the facts are correct what United would be illegal and the airline should be severely fined if that is the case.

It' s a different story if they were departing from overseas as the DOT unfortunately chooses not to require airlines to pay compensation. I know that Delta will pay compensation voluntarily ( and their COC does not exclude flights departing from foreign countries), but of the big four North-American airlines United is particularly stingy in these matters, and yet Delta' s fares are just as competitive as United.

I don' t know why the U.S doesn' t mandate compensation on inbound flights on U.S. based airlines. The E.U. does it with their member airlines and fares are no more expensive on EU based airlines. I am not a big fan of parts of EU 261 ( the airlines should not be required to pay duty of care when IROPs are out of their control, nor should they be require to pay compensation for delays, that' s what insurance is for), overselling a flight is a deliberate result of an airline selling more seats than they have. I know it fares down, but when it happnes passengers should expect to be compensated regardless of where the flight originates from. Also, airlines should be required to ask for volunteers and provide duty of care, as this is the delay is the result of a deliberate choice made by airline managment.

As an aside; in my opinion, airlines should be required in IDB situations, involuntary downgrade situations or any controllable IROPs to re-route on any airline that would get the passenger sooner, at the passenger's sole discretion ( not the airlines). If the airline won't then let the passenger purchase a ticket on another airline at the full walk up far and claim a mandatory refund from the airline that is responsible for the IROP. This will have little impact on fares as all airlines have IROPs so the payments would just cancel each oother out in the long run and would definitely benefit the passengers.

Aussienarelle

The cynic in me says lobbying efforts by the airline industry.

I am in the camp that these days most federal government agencies pander to the interest of the businesses in their respective industries.

However, if there are enough incidents like the OP then it may change due to public perception and pressure.

WineCountryUA

An issue that would need to be worked out if the originating country (such as any in the EU) has departure rules and US DOT then as has requires, the possibility of double dipping / conflicting requirements arsies. With enough complexity you might be able to write a regulation but it will get challenging

Agent69

OP siad it was the young mans first TPAC, so I assume leaving US not returning (accepting that he could be starting his trip in Asia, but unlikely)

stevendorechester

Then a sensible thing to do for an airline not to be penalized twice is simply to exempt airline from paying if it already has paid out compensation as required by another jurisdiction if the amount of compensation also satisfies local regulations. I think that' s how it woks with US-EU departures. So if KLM were to bump you out of JFK and pay 1350 USD then no EU compensation would be payable. The same can also be done after an IDB if the passenger accepts a voucher for twice the amount then the airline would be also be off the hook.

I' m in the same camp as you but that doesn' t stop airlines from paying out on outbound flights so it should just be more consistent. And I know Delta does it voluntarly. Up here in Canada the airlines also lobby the our government and yet we have a new passenger bill of rights. While I think compensation a little high I love certain parts of this bill.

narvik

First with UA. Apparently a seasoned traveler with DL and AA on TPACs...

Aussienarelle

I would call my 21 year old son a seasoned traveler with 250k lifetime miles (for paid flights) and many more international flights on award tickets but I do not think he would have done anything different to the young man in the OP. He would have taken them (the United agents) at their word.

This mama bear OTOH would have been livid and escalated the issue. Confirmed seat, checked in 23 hours before the flight, arrived at airport with luggage four hours before the flight - everything done right. The agents see a young person (over UM age) and think they can "offload" them without consequences. Shame on the agents and United.

kale73