Jet Blue called us to today - asked us to be bumped off!

[kaytieeldr]

this is a family board, I don't want to put up anything too inappropriate.

Bringing your personal agenda against airport screeners is entirely inappropriate on a thread about a phone call from an airline asking passengers to take a different flight.

Yet that inappropriateness didn't stop your same old broken record rant.

 

[jsilvers]

We booked JetBlue because of the Emabar 190 plane. It is a better plane, better ratings. less accidents....the Airbus 320 has more accidents.

Incidentally, this is an excellent example of how one can misuse statistics.

The E190 is a newer aircraft, so it stands to reason that there have been fewer accidents. The aircraft is a derivative of the E170, which entered production in 2002, and there are about 800 of the family in service (and one accident with fatalities). In contrast, the A320 family entered service in 1988 and there are approximately 4800 in service (and about 10 accidents with fatalities).

None of the fatal accidents for either aircraft involved a U.S. airline. JetBlue has never had a fatal accident with either aircraft. The last accident involving a commercial flight of any type in the U.S. with fatalities occurred more than three years ago. The last accident involving a commercial flight of any type operated by a mainline carrier in the U.S. with fatalities occurred more than ten years ago.

Simply put, there is no reason to choose between a JetBlue E190 or a JetBlue A320 based on safety. Your time would be better spent learning what to do in the extremely unlikely event of an emergency on any aircraft you're aboard.

 

[Karl66]

Where's I'm from, "bumping off" is a bit more final.

ETA: I hope it all works out.

I was thinking the same thing. OP, I hope things work out too.

 

[a1tinkfans]

not worth responding to the UNbelieveable statement regarding the TSA, really???

I say KUDO's to the TSA for keeping us safe............they'll always be "undesirables" in any given job, goodness...

 

[scrapper2k]

I don't get the TSA groupies. They're not all that good at what they do and I'm happy for the people who were never groped by the TSA but as somebody who was, l disagree with you wholeheartedly. And when it happens to you or your child, we'll see if you still feel the same way.

Op- we were bumped on the second leg of our trip. It was voluntary and we got $600 in vouchers, a free hotel room, $21 in meal credits and rebooked in first class (it was SEA-JFK so very useful). It was very worth it to us but we were on our return flight. I don't blame you for not wanting to delay a long awaited trip.

 

[alaska8]

Most airlines overbook, its how they cover "noshow rates". For example a 5am sunday morning flight might have a history of having 5 passengers no show so they overbook that flight by say up to 4 passengers. If they didnt then this flight may go out with 5 open seats (seats not available for other passengers to book)therefore 5 lost revenue seats which in turn lead to higher operating costs per seat which will in turn be covered eventually by upping ticket prices.
I fly standby (as an employee) on oversold flights all the time and usually end getting a seat due to no shows. (Red eyes are classic ones to be oversold as people always get the day wrong)
Jet Blue is just being proactive, maybe they will call someone who actually wanted a different flight but didnt want to pay any change fees...win win situation for all.
Dont worry even if you get to the airport and its still oversold they will find a volunteer...theres always people out there who are willing to wait and be compensated.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've been on many flights since the new rules started and have yet to be molested. I just go through the body scanner. There have been a couple times where I got a patdown, I know it's their job and it doesn't bother me.

I've been on a number of flights since the new rules started, and I've been either wanded or (more typically) patted down every time - yet I've never been molested during an airport screening!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't get the TSA groupies.

We're just fed up with the same tired, boring rants repeated from the same posters. It's particularly annoying in this thread because it was entirely unnecessary. The thread had nothing to do with the TSA...until one of the posters with an agenda once again threw it in with less than no prompting.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Bringing your personal agenda against airport screeners is entirely inappropriate on a thread about a phone call from an airline asking passengers to take a different flight.

Yet that inappropriateness didn't stop your same old broken record rant.

Most airlines overbook, its how they cover "noshow rates"....

Dont worry even if you get to the airport and its still oversold they will find a volunteer...theres [sic] always people out there who are willing to wait and be compensated.

You need to read the entire thread. JetBlue does not oversell their flights. The OP's problem was due to an equipment change to a smaller plane, not an oversold flight.

 

[disneychic2]

A while back while waiting to board our flights home, an announcement was made that they needed volunteers to take a later flight and before we could get up there to volunteer, there were half a dozen people clamoring to take the later flight and the incentives. We didn't really want to change flights, but b/c it's just the two of us, we thought it would be easier for us than others and wanted to help out. So, OP, I don't think you'll have any problem getting on your plane.

 

[GeorgiaH]

A while back while waiting to board our flights home, an announcement was made that they needed volunteers to take a later flight and before we could get up there to volunteer, there were half a dozen people clamoring to take the later flight and the incentives. We didn't really want to change flights, but b/c it's just the two of us, we thought it would be easier for us than others and wanted to help out. So, OP, I don't think you'll have any problem getting on your plane.

Unfortunately there is no later flight. The afternoon flight was taken off the schedule. We were originally booked on it and put on the morning flight which is the one the OP is talking about.

Also right now Jet Blue is only offering $300 to be put on a flight the day before or day after. (that is what they offered my traveling companions today)

 

[Lewisc]

Most airlines overbook, its how they cover "noshow rates". F

You need to read the entire thread. JetBlue does not oversell their flights. The OP's problem was due to an equipment change to a smaller plane, not an oversold flight.

Originally JetBlue made a big point regarding their no oversell policy. Originally JetBlue didn't offer full refundable fares and said every passenger would have a penalty if they're a no-show. Jet-Blue was at least considering changing their no overbook policy when they added fully refundable fares.

I have no idea if JetBlue currently overbooks but the compensation given by JetBlue to passengers subjected to idb far exceeds government requirements and makes it very unlikely that JetBlue will overbook a flight to the extent that passengers have to be bumped.

Overbookings (As defined in JetBlue's Contract of Carriage)

Customers who are involuntarily denied boarding shall receive $1,300.

It could be a change in equipment. It could be a schedule change combined flights. There could be another reason. JetBlue may have decided to accept reservations at a high fare knowing they could pay some passengers into moving to another flight. Just say NO. JetBlue will find a passenger willing to move. They may have to increase the offer.

 

[Lewisc]

Incorrect. There are certain exceptions to the DOT reporting requirements for overbooking, but it does not matter whether an offer to a passenger to switch flights was made over the phone or in person. FYI, the reporting form for airlines can be found at http://www.bts.gov/programs/airline_information/forms/pdf/form_251.pdf.

The form refers to passengers who are denied confirmed space. The form asks how many passengers voluntarily agreed to be bumped, how many were involuntarily bumped.......

I suspect, but aren't 100% sure, a passenger who agrees to change is flight in advance no longer has confirmed space on that flight and probably won't get counted as a voluntary bumped. Makes sense. Such a passenger didn't waste time going to the airport and agreed, in advance, to change his reservation.

 

[HoosierDisneyDad]

Originally JetBlue made a big point regarding their no oversell policy. Originally JetBlue didn't offer full refundable fares and said every passenger would have a penalty if they're a no-show. Jet-Blue was at least considering changing their no overbook policy when they added fully refundable fares.

I have no idea if JetBlue currently overbooks but the compensation given by JetBlue to passengers subjected to idb far exceeds government requirements and makes it very unlikely that JetBlue will overbook a flight to the extent that passengers have to be bumped.

Overbookings (As defined in JetBlue's Contract of Carriage)

Customers who are involuntarily denied boarding shall receive $1,300.

It could be a change in equipment. It could be a schedule change combined flights. There could be another reason. JetBlue may have decided to accept reservations at a high fare knowing they could pay some passengers into moving to another flight. Just say NO. JetBlue will find a passenger willing to move. They may have to increase the offer.

I'd gladly take $1,300 per person in my traveling party to go on vacation a day later.

 

[disfan07]

I've been on a number of flights since the new rules started, and I've been either wanded or (more typically) patted down every time - yet I've never been molested during an airport screening!

That poster goes on the same paranoid rant on any thread she can. I've seen it from her more than once on other threads. More than a little paranoid.

My cousin takes her kids (2 and 5) overseas 3-4 times a year. They probably fly like 7-8 times every year. Not ONCE has she ever had a complaint about TSA. But then again, shes not paranoid and doesn't think that everyone is distrubed.

OP: I undertsnad your concern over being bumped, but I htink at this point you are worrying yourself over nothing. More likely than not, they will not have problems getting volunteers especially if they are offering generous compensations so I personally think that by saying no on the phone, you are safe. Just make sure to check in at the 24 hour mark and get to the airport on time and you should be more than okay. Have a great trip!