Will I be bumped? Delta Air Lines has an easy answer

by Janice Hough on July 20, 2009

For some passengers, the idea of being bumped is a nightmare. For others, when it means a free ticket or other compensation, it’s a dream.

But passengers who want to volunteer often face the luck of the draw, or rather, the luck of being near the gate when the agents first ask for volunteers. And those who do not want to be bumped for any amount of money often face the additional stress of being told “we’ll have a seat assignment for you closer to boarding,” or even the dread words “we’ll try to get you on this flight.”

Now Delta Air Lines is going to try to make the process a little more stress-free with a system that will be called “Closed Bid.” Passengers will be asked when they check in, either online within 24 hours of departure, or at the airport, when the flight is oversold and if they want to volunteer.

Presumably, the system will also advise passengers just how much compensation they might get for taking a later flight. While the number of people who show up at the airport, and thus how many seats are left, remains an inexact science, this new system can only help the process

A traveler who has volunteered can advise people that they might be late. And it means the airline gets the maximum number of volunteers up front, as opposed to at the gate at the last minute, when the same traveler might not be able to change their plans.

In addition, I have seen flights where agents have been calling for volunteers, and travelers have been out of earshot, so they didn’t even realize it. (Thus in one case resulting in a mad dash by two college students to the podium.)

The impetus behind the new system seems to be a Department of Transportation penalty against Delta for not following the rules on bumping and compensation, but whatever the reason, this seems like one of those rare good ideas — for both the airline and its passengers.

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Tagged as: bumping, delta, denied boarding

  • Frank

    Now Delta Air Lines is going to try to make the process a little more stress-free with a system that will be called “Closed Bid.” Passengers will be asked when they check in, either online within 24 hours of departure, or at the airport, when the flight is oversold and if they want to volunteer.
    ==================================================

    What a GREAT IDEA! I generally see the need for volunteers shown on the electronic board behind the agents at the gates, seeking volunteers.

    I have a good chuckle everytime an agent announces the “we’re in an oversell situation and we’re seeking volunteers”, because the entire gate area gives this disapproval gasp or look. Bad airline, bad, bad, bad airline. But in reality, it’s important for the airline to go out as full as possible to make a ::::::: drum roll::::::::
    PROFIT. Passengers’ no-show and that has a result on the airline’s financials.

  • Terry Evitts

    Continental started doing this a few years ago, at least at the airport kiosk. A screen comes up that says there may be an oversold situation, would you be willing to volunteer for $XXX? If you say yes, a volunteer sheet prints out. Since I’m normally willing to be bump, I agree, but I have yet to be a on flight that’s actually oversold. Maybe a little investigation would have revealed that Delta is building on something their soon to be ex-SkyTeam partner has been doing for years.

  • Ronnie

    Back in the days of sane air travel, I once scored 2 first class tickets and a round trip upgrade on my current reservation to give up my seat (and my travel partner’s).

    These days all they offer is Airplane Funny Money.

  • DaveS

    It’s not necessarily airline funny money if you do intend to travel in the future. The last time I was in the situation, I specifically got assurance that the voucher was good for use in buying any fare on any flight as long as a seat is available – not capacity controlled in any way. In that case it can be a very good deal indeed, as the voucher was for $800 for flying four hours later to the same destination, when the flight itself had cost only $550 round trip.

  • DonJ

    FAA should change the rules on compensation. ALL compensation for delayed flight should be in CASH on the spot at the gate check-in counter, or at a customer service desk in the immediate gate area at either the departure or destination airport. “Delay” starts from published departure time and includes tarmac and runway delays. Pushbacks don’t stop the clock.

    50% of the ticket for a delay of more than 3 hours.
    75% of the ticket for a delay of more than 3 1/2 hours and up to 6 hours. 100% if the delay causes a missed connection with ANY airline.
    200% of the ticket for a delay of more than 6 hours.

    Transportation to destination is still required.

    Plus vouchers for meals, lodging and travel to and from lodging when overnight delays occur.

    Travel vouchers are, essentially, worthless.

  • geekette

    Not currently implemented in a useful way.

    I ran into this screen on check in on 7/25 at LGA. It offered no information on compensation, how overbooked the flight was, or any option to get on the list. I asked the agent when I dropped off my bag, and was told to ask at the gate. I went through security and asked at the gate to be put on the list, and was told to come back later when they “opened” that flight. After chatting a bit, the agent looked and said the flight was oversold by one, and penciled in my name. It came to naught anyway.

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