We just got bumped from a flight where we had ticketed and confirmed seats. The gate agent asked for volunteers due to overbooking. When no one volunteered, we were bumped. She then said it was due to
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We just got bumped from a flight where we had ticketed and confirmed seats. The gate agent asked for volunteers due to overbooking. When no one volunteered, we were bumped. She then said it was due to a weight restriction. They seemed unfamiliar with the concept of the passenger bill of rights. I was under the impression that they had to bump according to purchasing date. I am not impressed.
Colina...I don't know the answer on the bumping rules, but I'm sure someone here does.
For a better chance at quick feedback, I'd suggest reposting this in the Air Travel forum (It's under the Tips, Tools and Deals section) or in the General and Multi-State forum under United States.
"...US Airways bumps passengers due to overbooking..."
Of course, they all do, nothing new here.
Edit Post
Did you not get compensated? A free flight, or cash?
Whenever you fly, discuss among yourselves what your stance is towards getting bumped in case it should happen. In fact, once you have it down to a fine art, you learn to schedule your flights with that in mind, you have with you alternate flight timetables and you look and listen for it. Anytime you hear the call for volunteers, step up and volunteer and either get a nice sum of cash or a voucher for future flights. Depending on how desperately overbooked they are (and what kinds of VIPs they are trying to accommodate) you may have negotiating wiggle room.
These practices change with time. I have flown many trips for free just because I volunteered to be bumped and take a later flight, sometimes as soon as a couple hours later, with a meal voucher to keep me happy in the mean time, and either cash or flight vouchers towards future flights.
It says - and I'm bolding and underlining a few words - among much more language:
It is US Airways' policy to never intentionally cause a passenger to be inconvenienced when he/she holds a confirmed reservation on an US Airways flight. However, due to operational requirements, inventory control policies and a varying degree of no-show passengers, there will be times when passengers cannot be accommodated on the booked flight. When these conditions occur, it is US Airways' policy to arrange the first available alternate accommodations as efficiently as possible and/or compensate eligible passengers in accordance with existing US Airways Tariffs and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
Don't accept the "or" in the "and/or" - insist on the "and". But you have to fight for it these days, politely, calmly, but firmly.
Also read up on rule 240 - some airlines still operate while calling it that, others have changed what they call it, but in some form it still survives.
Section 10.2 of US Airways' contract of carriage specifically addresses involuntary bumping boarding priority. Contrary to the OP's belief, it has nothing to do with ticket purchase date.
10.2 INVOLUNTARY
Boarding Priorities: If a flight is oversold and there are not enough volunteers, US Airways may be
required to deny boarding involuntarily in accordance with the following:
The last customer(s) to present him/herself (themselves) at the boarding gate may be denied
boarding in the event of an overbooked flight.
Boarding preference will be given to Dividend Miles members based on their status in the
program and time of check−in.
Special efforts will be made to never involuntarily deny boarding to customers requiring special
assistance or unaccompanied minors.
While an involuntary bump is inconvenient, I for one would be somewhat more understanding and even thankful that the airline takes safety seriously enough to risk the ire of customers versus flying an aircraft with a potential weight & balance issue.
I'm also curious as to what compensation, if any, the OP received for the involuntary bump.
