$500 to move from E+ to E- DEN-EWR
 

About to push off on a completely full fight from DEN to EWR, and they announced they’re looking for 2 volunteers from any seat in E+ to two sets in E-. At least one E- was a middle. I don’t think they were next to each other. Offered $500, presumably cash since no mention of travel credits. Any idea what could prompt such an offer?

All I can think of is that there is someone that has a right to be in E+ (employee (Pilot / FA), FAM?) and they do not want to IDB people on the flight...

Could be been a weight and balance issue, due to cargo loading/misloading or otherwise.

I would assume the $500 was travel credit if they did not specifically say cash.

Were the E+ seats left empty or occupied?

I think I know at least part of the story. Our 7:50 am flight was delayed 15 minutes because they needed to find flight crew. Odd (no weather issues at all in DEN). Guessing pilots took the E+ seats (saw one of them sit in seats who was clearly a pilot). So maybe our original pilots couldn't fly and took those seats while they got 2 new pilots? No idea why, though. And while they did not specify cash or travel credits, I guess I could see how it is presumed to be travel credits when not otherwise specified.

My son and I couldn't take up the offer as were were already stuck in E- as that was all that was available when we booked a week ago.

I would make the opposite assumption, and if it came down to it, I'm sure the courts would agree.

I have been downgraded a few times from E+ to E, always for a flight credit. Never quite understood why. The last time this happened to me and another passenger, a flight attendant came up to us one hour into the flight and told us we could sit in our original seats.

Highly unlikely.

No one is forcing the volunteers to enter the contract. Likely the terms are made clear (cash or travel credit) when they approach the podium to accept, but if not, and it is important to them, they should ask.

Possibility of two pilots being deadheaded (DH) to EWR at the last minute. UA pilot contract requires E+ or better seating for pilot DHs. Pilots may opt to not board the flight if the seat is not an E+ or better seat. It can be a middle seat in E+ but those must be as a last resort according to the seating order laid out in the contract. DH in a middle seat will trigger extra pay if no aisle or window seats are available at time of boarding/departure.

I would take that in a second....as much as I dislike E- vs E+, I like $500 more

This would imply weight & balance?

I was going to say that would make the most sense to me. Since the take off weight distribution is important - but once you're in the air that changes.

Could also be that they were told their would be a deadheading crew that are contractually required to that seating, but for whatever reason, it changed again last minute and they didn't actually board the flight, so those seats remained empty.

EWR-DEN is probably on at least a narrow body like a 737 (or larger, like a 777) - not a ERJ.... does a few passengers weight really make that much of a difference?

Yes.

Average weights are used but there is still a hard limit that the calculated weight and balance can not cross. If the loading is outside of the line then something must be moved so that the calculation comes up within the line. That often takes the form of blocking rows at the front, or rear, of the aircraft to ensure that all possible distributions will fall within the lines.

LarryJ - true... I recall reading about some weight and balance issues on Hawaiian Airlines flights due to .... well, quite a few POS flying.... and well, this is a flight leaving EWR.....

seriously - with all of the cargo....I'm surprised that a few hundred pound bags of meat make that much of a difference?