Anyone watch the show airline?

[elismom]

Ive heard so many good things about soutwest on this board
But everytime I watch that show it seems like they are always overbooked?
Anyone had this problem?

 

[Amberle3]

You have to remember that they're filming for days in order to find enough "interesting" material for the TV. Shows where people board on time, there are empty seats and no one fights just don't get the ratings.

All airlines overbook. It just looks like Southwest does it more than the other carriers because they're the ones who were willing to let themselves be put on camera and have their business shown.

Overbooking is more common (ie done more) with the discount carriers because the tickets tend to be so cheap. Last year SWA had flights on sale from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for $19 before taxes. How many people do you think booked those flights and then just didn't show up? The airlines have no way of knowing who's going to be a no-show, and they happen all the time. So if there are more people interested in the flight than seats, they just sell more seats and hope that people will either cancel or just not show up.

I've been on many flights that were oversold. Actually I think I've personally witnessed it less in the last few years. I even had Air Canada call me once the day before because they flight was oversold and they wanted to bump me before I even got to the airport. The compensation they gave me was more than I paid for the ticket, so I was happy.

 

[grover]

So how can I be sure that I am not bumped from a flight that is oversold?
We are flying NWA-connecting in MSP...we only have 1 hr between connections...
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Debbie]

When we came home from Europe this month, Air France (like 'em all) overbooked and 16 of our choir kids were without seats. There were some upset parents who had already got their boarding passes. All 16 made the flight--at least one was given a first class seat. She traded with her 17 year old brother who had a blast!!!

 

[Amberle3]

Best advice is to get there early, of course that's difficult with a connection.

In general (although not always true) if you have a seat assignment you're probably okay - but don't take that to mean you can get to the counter later that advised. If you're there past their cutoff time then they can give your seat away. It's so much easier with the discount carriers like Southwest because there are no seat assignments.

For the connection though, when you check in for your flight in Winnipeg they'll automatically print out your connecting bording pass and check you in for that flight. So the flight from MSP will know that you're on the way and your seat will be blocked off when you check in in Winnipeg.

Recommended check in time for transborder flights from Winnipeg is 90 minutes before departure.

BTW, I know I've said this on other boards but might as well repeat it here - airlines aren' t the only ones that do this. Hotels do it, car rental agencies do it too.

 

[grover]

Seat assingment: Check
Whoo hooo-called to do that almost a couple of weeks ago!
grover in Winnipeg

hey amberle3-your a travel agent-are you ever able to get your hands on those elusive 3 day park hoppers?

 

[minnie56]

Overbook...it is the way the Airline business survives.

I checked in for my Air Canada flight to New York a month ago and was told my seat had been taken away from me and they were overbooked and I may be offloaded on to another flight that day. I did check in a bit later than usual...so make sure you get there early!

Turns out I wasn't bumped....but it happens.

 

[Amberle3]

3 day park hoppers aren't available for purchase in Canada as per Disney's rules. Don't know why, but they aren't. I guess they figure if we're coming all that way then we NEED to spend at least 5 days in the parks. 5 and 7 are all that are offered for sale here.

Unless you're talking to Disneyland 5-for-3 deal, those we can get.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I love that show! What a hoot I wonder what some of those passengers think when they watch themselves on TV again I haven't been bumped yet (knock on wood) but I can see how some of the Southwest passengers would get frustrated ... I saw a recent episode of a Chicago family headed to Orlando who got bumped. They managed to get them on a later flight but boy were they upset ... but who wouldn't be, especially headed to WDW

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Originally posted by grover
hey amberle3-your a travel agent-are you ever able to get your hands on those elusive 3 day park hoppers?

I purchased three day park hoppers from Alamo last October. I purchased them pretty late, so they arranged for pickup at "will-call" at MK. Absolutely no problems with this, and I doubt if it is restricted to only US. You don't even have to rent a car from Alamo, because the phone number connected over to Disney guest services, and they didn't even ask.

You might want to ask over at the attractions board or do a search to see if they are still available.

Good luck!