[EdnaW]

Here's a recent experience with AirTran with their overbooking problem and how they get around US DOTS ruling for IDB:

I purchased 2 airline tickets online in Oct 2013, *for Airtran nonstop flt 817 depart Dec 22 from bwi @ 9am, arrive in punta cana at 1:52pm for a family holiday vacation. I also purchased 2 seats 23C & 23A! Airtran e-mailed me Dec 19 with our new flight times changes and flight changed to FLT 133 to depart bwi @ 7:55am, arrive Atlanta 9:55am, depart Atlanta @ 4:30pm, arrive PuntA Cana @ 8:57pm!! Guess what - flt did not leave ATL until 5:40pm!! We arrived in Punta Cana hotel almost midnight!! All day of our first day family vacation wasted!
* *I also received call from Airtran after they e-mailed me on Dec 19th, the agent said our flight times changed, but the agent did not say that Airtran was involuntary removing us from our originally purchased nonstop flights. When I asked agent, why they are changing our flights, agent's response was that Airtran oversold the nonstop FLT 817! I was upset and furious, so I ended the call!
* *I called Airtran Customer Service and I was offered flights out from bwi on later dates! I informed agent that our hotel was prepaid and that later flights was unacceptable! I spoke with supervisor Heather and she offered refund of 2 one way of our fares and seat fees! I asked info about 400% for involuntary removal by Airtran from our original flight - her response was that we were not Involuntary Denied Boarding (IDB) so compensation does not apply to us!! *It is legal business practice by Airtran - overselling seats on flights - *bait and switch - and Airtran's ability *to go around US Dept of Transportation rule for IDB, Airtran involuntary removed us from the original Dec 22 flight that we paid for, and on Dec 19 moved us on different flights!! *Subsequently, we were not involuntary removed by Airtran on Dec 22, so the US Dept of Transportation Rule DID NOT apply to us; Airtran avoided compensation of 400% or maximum compensation of US$1300 per passenger for involuntary removing us from our original nonstop flight from BWI! *What is the legal definition of IDB and Involuntary Removal of paying passengers from flights?**US Dept of Transportation is reviewing my case because I need to know my rights as a consumer! *I submitted complaints to Airtran - they must explain to me *in writing as a DOTS rule why we were involuntary removed from our originally paid flight besides the issue of Airtran oversold seats on Flt 817, Dec 22. How does Airtran decide which passengers to remove involuntarily from flights? Why does Airtran oversell seats on flights in the first place? *Because it is legal and they have the right? I also submitted a complaint to the BBB.