What does it mean when.........

[newyorkmike]

In my experience, Delta is notorious for over-booking certain flights. Three years ago, I was working on a project that required me to fly from New York LaGuardia to Jacksonville, FL 9 times in a 4 month period. 5 of those 9 times, I was bumped from the flight down from LaGuardia (4 times voluntarily and once involuntarily) due to overbooking. In each case, I had a ticket that would allow me to check in but not select a seat, and in each case the overbooking was announced at the gate with the usual request for volunteers. I got $300 vouchers each time I was bumped ($1,500 in total), which my wife and I used on two different occassions to fly first class down to the Carribbean for winter, weekend getaways.

As I was traveling alone on business the night before I needed to be there, I was not terribly inconvenienced and was happy to get the vouchers and take the later flight. Had I been on vacation with family in tow, I would not have been happy and I have never flown on Delta with family for fear of being stuck in that situation.

 

[goofydad99]

just procrastinating I guess (is that procrastinating about my procrastinating??) Actually waiting for YOU to report on your experience I will probably call them at some point, but maybe not

I called yesterday. They told me that they were sorry for the problem I was having and that the seats were being held because of certain booking requirements. They will release the seats at the gate. We shall see what happens. It's only the two of us so, if we get bumped then we will live. The only problem with being bumped is we have to catch a connecting flight which could cause a certain problem. If we were taking the kids, I would be singing a different tune.

 

[alaska8]

There is still a fair chance that you will still get on even if you can't select a seat 24 hours out; at larger airports, Delta also usually holds a few seats back until the last minute for deadheading flight crews in case they are needed.

However, if it comes down to the wire, be prepared to sit in separate middle seats; usually that is all that that will be left at that point. (Not that flight crew sit in middles; they always get aisle seats. However, GA's will tend to offer any available aisles to passengers who have status if they ask, and they do ask.)

As flight crew, I usually end up with a middle seat (or the jumpseat on a full flight)

 

[silmarg]

If we were taking the kids, I would be singing a different tune.

i am beginning to regret booking with Delta. I hope its for naught.

 

[pooch]

I called yesterday. They told me that they were sorry for the problem I was having and that the seats were being held because of certain booking requirements. They will release the seats at the gate. We shall see what happens. It's only the two of us so, if we get bumped then we will live. The only problem with being bumped is we have to catch a connecting flight which could cause a certain problem. If we were taking the kids, I would be singing a different tune.

when you get home so I have a clue what to expect!! Thanks and have a great trip!!!