So If You Get Bumped Off Your Flight...

[sorcerormickey]

Do they take your luggage off the plane? Or does it go ahead without you?

Northwest is overbooking our flight home Friday night - last flight of the day. I am always a little panic-y that we will get bumped off our flight when they do this. If we do get bumped, what happens to our luggage? I can't imagine they would make you stay overnight without luggage, but who knows?

I'm hoping there will be plenty of volunteers so we don't get bumped!!

 

[Lewisc]

There are usually enough volunteers. People looking to volunteer would take enough carryon luggage for an overnight stay.

Although the airline doesn't normally pull your luggage I've seen them pull luggage when a passenger said they'd volunteer to be bumped if they got their luggage back.

 

[safetymom]

Usually the luggage stays with the original flight unless you can state a good reason why you need it.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am guessing that the airline will only pull luggage if the gate agents are unable to get enough volunteers if they didn't pull luggage.

I'm not sure whether the TSA requires that luggage be pulled if the passenger does not go on that plane, or whether some airlines take a chance it won't be noticed if luggage of a volunteer is not pulled.

Travel tips:http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
I am guessing that the airline will only pull luggage if the gate agents are unable to get enough volunteers if they didn't pull luggage.

I'm not sure whether the TSA requires that luggage be pulled if the passenger does not go on that plane, or whether some airlines take a chance it won't be noticed if luggage of a volunteer is not pulled.

Travel tips:http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

I read now that 100% of all checked luggage is screened, luggage no longer has to be pulled if a passenger doesn't board the flight.

 

[CarolA]

They don't pull your luggage. They are allowed to do this since you did in fact show up for the flight.

 

[ducklite]

Not sure if this is the norm, but a couple years ago flying home from Las Vegas, my flght from PIT to EWR was cancelled. They automatically rebooked me on a flight to LGA, which was totally unacceptable to me. I asked instead to be booked on a flight to PHL, which they did. They did go and pull my bag from the LGA plane. They did this only a few minutes before that LGA plane was due to take off, and it probably held up the plane.

Anne

 

[cruiseonmagic]

Hi there,
Just to let you know, most flights to and from MCO are overbooked. How do you know if you are going to be bumped off of a flight with 158 seats? Be the 159th person to check in. It's really that simple. NWA allows on-line check-in 36 hours before the flight. Go to the business center of one of the hotels, borrow a computer (it may cost you $5-$10) and check-in. Resist the temptation to go to MK for one more ride, and get to the airport early Then you can watch everybody else scramble for seats.

See ya real soon

Bill
former airline supervisor--current Disney boat driver

 

[Chicago526]

I agree with Bill. Orlando flights are almost always overbooked, and it's first come-first serve. The people who show up last get bumped if there are not enough volunteers.

Also, having a seat assigned when you book your flight also can help. But if you show up late, they can (and will) give it away.

And to answer the OP, the bag will 99% of the time stay on the plane when you're bumped. TSA only requires the passenger to be on the flight with the bag if the airport does not have the super-duper bomb detecting machines, and Orlando does have them. NW will just lock up the bag until you show up on a later flight to claim it. Same thing happens if you stand by and don't clear the list.

Just in case, I'd keep a change of clothes for everyone in your party in your carry-on (and medications if needed but you should never check meds anyway) and find the phone number of an airport hotel in case you need a room. NW should put you up for the night if they have to bump you, though.

Good luck on your flight!!!

 

[sorcerormickey]

The people who show up last get bumped if there are not enough volunteers.

I was very curious as to how they choose who gets bumped. We always get to the airport about 90 minutes before our flight.

The thing that gets me is that the flight has been completely booked for a few weeks now, and even today it is still for sale on the website and via phone.

Thanks guys!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Airlines try very hard to take volunteers before involuntarily bumping someone. Much easier to deal with a volunteer, customer service-wise, than someone who got forced off against their will.

Sometimes, a flight may appear to be completely booked, but still have seats available. This does not necessarily mean the flight is overbooked. The airlines typically block some seats as unavailable during the purchase process, but these seats are released and distributed by the gate agents. In other cases, coach may be full, but a few seats will open up once all the elite passengers get upgraded to first class.

 

[safetymom]

You also have a better chance of getting bumped if you don't have a seat assignment. If you have a preferred member of their frequent flyer program you have less of a chance of being bumped unless you volunteer.

 

[polyfan]

How do you know if a flight is overbooked in advance?

 

[safetymom]

You can call the airlines. There are some sites that will tell you how many seats are available.