Today we checked in to New orleans at 1:15 and inquired if either our flight to Chicago was overbooked or the flight from chicago to smf that left 5 hours later was overbooked and were told it was not. However, when we got to the gate on New Orleans there was a sign requesting volunteers. Since there was huge line we went back to the downstairs check in counter show. The agent there stated they didn't need any volunteers for any of our flights. When I explained that there was a sign at the gate he stated he would put us on the list. But, he stated the chicago flight was not overbooked. In Chicago they originally stated they were not overbooked and that they didn't need volunteers. Yet, right before boarding they asked for volunteers and took our boarding passes wiritng VDB on them. The gate agent stated that we would receive $200.00 each and be protected on the 7:50 flight. Then, they made a final boarding call and stated everyone should be on board. We went up to ask about receiving our boarding passes for the next flight and the agent stated, "Oh we won't need you after all" and had us board. Then, they came on board and took off two people who stated they had volunteered in Philadelphia at the start on their journey. We weren't taken despite being the first to respond at the gate due to the fact the agent in New Orleans didn't think volunteers would be needed and his failure to start a list. Is there any criteria or procedures that the agents should follow? Does your mileage plus status matter? It was kind of annoying that we would have been first on the list if the agent in New Orleans could have spent a few minutes doing his job properly.

When you volunteer, the agent should print a Departure Management Security Card and return it to you with your boarding pass. In that case, someone with higher MP status can (and generally will) move past you, even if you were on the list first.

When a gate agent takes your boarding pass and writes VDB on it, you should be offloaded and given compensation.

Something sounds fishy here ... are you sure you're not leaving out some details?

I have found that the agents at the front check-in counter and the agents at the gate are never on the same page. If the front agents will put me on the list, fine, but if not, I always ask at the gate again.

For example, I was pretty sure my DFW-DEN flight on the way to SEA was overbooked at the beginning of Spring Break back in March. I asked while checking in and the front agent said it was, but that everything else on United was booked through the weekend and I wouldn't get out for days. So I ignored her, and 2 minutes later while I was coming through security, the gate agent was bumping people right then for $200 and putting them on non-stop AA flights. (And this was for a ticket that was paid for from a previous Spring Break bump when they did not need volunteers, but I asked at the gate and gate agent bumped us to help out another couple when United had goofed up their trip somehow.)

BillJ

[This message has been edited by wcj1 (edited 07-17-2001).]

EPS, no, I am not leaving out any details. I thought it sounded a little fishy too. I saw our boarding cards and they wrote VDB on them and gave us the Departure Management Security Card. Then, after I thought boarding was done I went up to get our new boarding card and the voucher and they gave us back the original boarding card and said they didn't need any volunteers. Since we weren't put on the volunteer list until the gate announcement (although we asked several times earlier) I am guessing they took the two people who were first on the list who had volunteered in Philadelphia at the start of their trip like we tried to do. They used to give you a customer service voucher for $25.00 for waiting to board. I guess they don't do that any more?

[This message has been edited by tph4 (edited 07-17-2001).]

The $25 customer service vouchers are really a hit and miss propostion when you volunteer. I get them about 10% of the time and have learned not to expect them.

I've been bumped 5 times so far this year, but I have probably volunteered at least 2-3 times that when I had an indication the flight would be full (I check seats left for sale before I head out).

Could there have been a last minute aircraft change that might have changed the seat availability (i.e. larger plane with empty seat to smaller plane with no empty seats)?

No there was not any equipment change. It just seemed like the agent in New Orleans was lazy and because of him we lost out on two $200.00 vouchers.