Bumped to an earlier flight?

[Belle1962]

I will be traveling with DGS and my return flight is sold out already (not to Orlando). If I arrive early at the airport and offer to be "bumped" would it be possible to get the earlier flight instead of a later flight?

My flight is at 12:15, there is an 11:45 am flight and then not another one until 4:00--which will not give us time to get home in time to meet the court order to exchange custody from his father to his mother (6:00pm). (They rotate weekly and NO she is not willing to let my DS have the child until 7:00).

So--do you think if I am early enough and get "bumped" they will put us on the earlier flight?

 

[safetymom]

I doubt that they would bump you to the earlier flight. You could go standby for the earlier flight. Some airlines charge for standby others don't. To be bumped means to get compensation so I doubt they would do that.

Also keep in mind if you are looking at a seat chart for your flight the airlines do hold some seats back to be assigned at the gate day of departure. So it may not be sold out.

I would get to airport before that first flight leaves and see about standby.

 

[CarolA]

What airline are you on?

SW for example RARELY does this. You fly the flight you paid for. Involuntary bumps are actually pretty rare so I would not worry about making your flight, but if you are early you can ask to standby on the earlier flight. The airlines can charge for the joy of standby, but they seem to be backing away from that lately. You won't get any compensation since bumping is always to the next flight, not an earlier flight.

 

[clkelley]

The online seat guides are TOTALLY innacurate.

I have been on flights where the online guides showed the flights totally full and when I actually boarded the plane was barely half-full.

I have also seen the reverse!


Carol

 

[JC Butterfly]

So basically your original flight time at 12:15 is fine, you're just worried about if that flight gets cancelled or delayed? Why didn't you book the earlier flight initially or could you call the airline now and pay to switch?

If it isn't that immediate a need I would do as others suggest and try to fly standby.

I'm sorry that the custody situation is so unforgiving, but really if your flight gets cancelled and you have "proof" that there was no other option . . . .I mean things happen . . . but it sounds like ex isn't that understanding. Good luck.

 

[Belle1962]

IF the flight is full I probably wouldn't be one of the ones bumped--flying with a 3 year old and I will be at the gate at laast an hour - an hour and a half before hand). Just wondering if they ask me to if I should say yes IF they will put me on the earlier flight. If not my answer is no.

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't count on them even asking you. If they don't have volunteers for the later flight they would look to those that booked last to bump.

Just get there early and standby for the earlier flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is not unusual for airlines to let people who show up early stand by for earlier flights if they know there is an overbooking on a later flight. It is not unheard of for the airline to re-assign you to the earlier flight without your asking, which adds an interesting twist to the strategies for aiming for a voluntary bump plus compensation.

Meanwhile if you do show up early, you are not allowed on the earlier flight withoug paying extra, that plane leaves with empty seats, and you don't get on your booked flight for any reason including weather, you may still have a case against the airline. The operative term in the contract of carriage is "use its best efforts to transport".

What is your record of getting the kid to the ex on time?

If you have almost no tardies you have an excellent chance of clemency if you are a little late due to a flight cancellation, provided your original booking was scheduled to get the kid back on time. Also make a phone call to the ex if you get a cancellation. Intentionally booking the 4:00 flight to give the kid a little more Disney magic is a no-no.

Meanwhile if you switch from the 12:45 to the 11:45, if the 11:45 is the one that gets cancelled there is no assurance you will get on the 12:45. For this reason I find it hard to believe that any judge would hold you in contempt for being tardy in a situation such as this.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm
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Remember back in school where they recorded absences and tardies and early dismissals?