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.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
