Question about being bumped-Based on another thread??!!

[pnelson]

I now have a question about being "bumped" based on what I read on the other thread about Delta. We are flying out the night before Thanksgiving. Usually we get to the airport 2 hours or so ahead of time. If we check in, check our luggage, etc. that early, can they still just "bump" us off later? I guess I don't understand. Or are the people being "bumped" the ones who check in at the last minute? I have heard them asking for bumps once I've been seated, but can they come to me and tell me I have to get off the plane after I've already checked in and everything??

 

[tjmw2727]

No - between dh and I we fly probably 10 or more times per year for the past 5 years and neither of us have been bumped without volunteering. We fly mainly AA with delta and us air as a second choice.

In fact in the past two years we have stood in LONG lines to volunteer our seats on oversold flights. We always make our travel plans flexible, business or pleasure and our girls travel very well. So we plan for a potential bump - reschedule or to volunteer. Until two years ago we were able to volunteer whenever a flight was full as most people were not flexible. Now - we stand in a long line to volunteer to give our seats up for vouchers on a first come first serve basis - crazy huh.

So we try and plan for unforseen circumstances but realize we are lucky to be able to do so. We always check in at least 2 hours early, double check seat assignments and try to be flexible. Given the chance to volunteer we will 99/100 times.

TJ

 

[prncess674]

involuntary bumps are very rare. Don't sweat it. Arrive in adequate time to check luggage, get boarding cards and clear security. Board when your row is called.

If the flilght is oversold they will ask for volunteers to get bumped. They will generally be offered some type of compensation that is comensurate with how long they will be delayed due to the bump. If no one volunteers (even more rare) they keep upping the compensation and usually people will get off if the offer is good enough. If you arrive at your gate late (usually called the 10 minute) rule they can involuntarily bump you and give your seat away.

 

[sgtdisney]

They will bump you based on your fare classification. The time you check in would probably have nothing to do with it unless you are really late checking in as prncess674 said...

Every airline fare has a classification and the lowest fares are the lowest classification. As the others here posted the airline will always ask for volunteers first, but if they don't get any, or enough they will start at the 'bottom' of the list and bump from there.

I really wouldn't worry about it too much. I have never been bumped. Wait, I take that back, when I used to fly with my dad, who was a pilot, and we were flying on passes (almost free) I got bumped a number of times, but that is expected when you are non-reving. ( The worst time was being asked to leave the plane after we were boarded and already in our seats... At 14 that is embarassing.. ) I will restate, I have never been bumped when I actually had to pay for a ticket. It can happen, it is just usually pretty uncommon.

 

[prncess674]

I flew 100,000 actual flight miles just last year. In all of those flights not once did I see an involuntary bump. Involuntary bumps are very very rare. There is always someone who wants the bump vouchers which can get up in dollars if you hold out.

can they come to me and tell me I have to get off the plane after I've already checked in and everything??

Anything is possible but I personally have never seen them take a revenue passenger off the plane involuntarily. Non-revs will be booted off first, then ticketed passengers who aren't in the gate area are next.

I really wouldn't worry about involuntary bumps. They happen but the airlines will do everything in their power to not do this. Arrive like you normally do 2 hours before and don't sweat it.

I would also print out the airlines schedule of flights to MCO just so you know your options if your flight were to be cancelled. I am not trying to worry you I am just telling you what I as a seasoned traveller does on a weekly basis. You need to have knowledge of what you want in case your flight is cancelled. Don't depend on the agent to give you all your options.

 

[EEyorelover22]

is there an easy way to find these that are in a printable form?

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by EEyorelover22
is there an easy way to find these that are in a printable form?

Many airlines have a little program that you can download to your computer. you enter your date, and travel destinations and it will give you all combos. I know for a fact Continental and American Airlines have this.

SWA in most of their boarding areas have booklets that give all their schedules.

To find CO's go to www.continental.com
click on travel center
click on mobile tools
click on electronic timetable

If you need a specific airline just surf their site. They all have a similar service.

 

[safetymom]

Make sure you have seat assignments. Those are the ones that usually get bumped first. Also be sure you are there before they cut off check in. If you are there early you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[mcnuss]

I flew about 150 times last year and so far this year have logged 47 flights, and I have never, ever been bumped. The situation posted on that other thread is a huge mystery to me. I do not doubt at all that Delta did what she tells us, but it so rare and so crazy that a lot of people are finding it hard to believe. Please don't worry about it. It is beyond your control regardless, so not worth your time or concern. Just follow the airline's rules and you'll be as safe as you can be. I think they picked on that poor kid bc they figured she'd be an easy target, would not know her rights, and would not fight them. Sad, I know....

 

[TammyC]

My husband was involuntarily bumped once, and both of us almost bumped on a flight on our honeymoon (they got volunteers at the last minute). In both cases, we had confirmed seats but not seat assignments. This leads me to believe that if you have assigned seats and check in by the airlines required time, that you will not be the one bumped. I don't know if this is the "official policy", but it does make sense because the people who purchase their tickets earlier will have the assigned seats. I have also heard (as mentioned on this board) that you can ask if your flights are overbooked.

 

[prncess674]

double booking the same seat occurs on airlines all the time. So having a seat assignment is not a guarantee of anything, although having any seat assignment is better than nothing, so even if you can't get seats together take seat assignments. Also a certain percentage of seats are held for airport assignment so even if you don't have seat assignments prior to arriving at the airport arrive reasonably early and you will be accomodated in one of the airport assigned seats.

I agree with mcnuss here the thread you are referencing sounds like a strange freak occurance. We do not have the entire story and probably never will. Being involuntarily bumped in both directions is just plane strange. You are more likely to be struck by lightening than get involuntarily bumped in both directions. The original poster's DD didn't handle herself in a calm rational manner and didn't ask for help when she needed it, crying in hysterics is not the way to ask for help.

Arrive appropriately early, check bags, and board as soon as your row is called and enjoy your flight. This is not something you need to fret about for the next 6 months.

 

[pnelson]

Thanks everyone! And I guess with Delta I can check in at home or something like that so I may look into that!

 

[Lewisc]

You might call the night before and see if the flight is overbooked (or just go online and try to book 9 seats). Sounds funny but when the flight is overbooked some people actually get their early to volunteer to be bumped. Domestic flights usually have plenty of volunteers so I wouldn't worry.

I agree something doesn't sound right in the other thread. Either we're not getting the whole story (maybe even the Mom isn't getting complete information) or the airline saw an opportunity to take advantage of an inexperienced flyer.

 

[ducklite]

I've flown over a million miles in my life, and only once been involuntarily bumped from a flight after having a confirmed seat assignment.

Anne

 

[CarolA]

I am with Anne in terms of milage flown, but I have NEVER been involuntarily bumped with or without a seat assignment. I have however raked in some Delta dollars and American dollars. (Once I got over $1000 American dollars by just continually bumping on a really crowded day!)