United's new policies will improve the entire industry

United Airlines, in response to the reaction to the Flight 3411 incident, has come up with a plan to make sure it never happens again. Some of its new procedures were previously announced, such as not using law enforcement to remove passengers from planes except in cases of safety. However, many are new and important changes that should be copied by Delta, American and indeed all airlines. Key here is empowering the airlines’ employees to take whatever action necessary to help passengers who must be involuntarily bumped. This includes putting them on another airline’s flight. What’s good here: The airline for the first time spells out exactly how they choose passengers to be involuntarily bumped. I don’t believe any airline has done this so specifically. Consumers now know how to better protect themselves. Passengers without a seat assignment get bumped first, followed by fare class and estimated fare paid, followed by time of check-in, followed by frequent-flier status. Those with special needs do not get bumped. It increases maximum compensation for voluntary bumps to $10,000 which should make involuntarily bumps extremely rare, although there will always be passengers who will not miss a wedding or funeral even for $10,000. (Maximum payment for involuntary bumps is regulated by the DOT and remains the same). Delta has also boosted its maximum amount to $10,000. It empowers personnel to use competing airlines to transport bumped passengers (similar to the old Rule 240, which airlines were once required to include in their contracts of carriage). Story has more details.<br/>