[PHXFlyer]

JohnBrewer, when you checked-in @LAX had you also checked-in online or was that the first time you were checking in for your flights? You do realize that online check-in begins 24 hours prior to departure and that anyone using online check-in would be higher on the list. Also PHX is US's major hub and in the summer we are on the same time as California. Anyone connecting through Phoenix who had checked in for a flight anywhere east of Phoenix would probably have checked in sooner than 520 AM PDT. Also the majority of PHX-FLG are connecting passengers (we Phoenicians just drive to Flagstaff and the short flight is very expensive - even with a 2 or 3 week advance its around $330 round-trip!) so there probably wasn't anyone from PHX who checked in for that flight after you.

Your suggestion about prioritizing denied boarding by people traveling with children or those with disabilities wouldn't fly legally. It's discriminatory.

azstar, if they got boarding passes for the PHX-FLG flight in LAX then they were checked in for it. If it's a small aircraft (under 60 seats) and it's not due to overbooking but for weight and balance (safety) the airlines don't pay out for involuntarily denied passengers so what would be the point of asking for volunteers? Perhaps Mr. Butterfinger can confirm this but I don't think they even need to ask for volunteers.