Voluntary de-boarding

[trippin_the_rift]

Today - for the 2nd time ever I had boarded the aircraft and asked to be offloaded. I was booked in business on a Virgin Embraer 190 which have all economy config, and the overhead space is about the same as a Dash 8.

The other time I've done this was on an AA flight where I didn't feel safe/compromised aircraft safety after a long string of technical hiccups over a 2 hour period waiting at the gate.

Both occasions I've been booked on the next flight without issue.
I think I'd do the same if due to fly on Nancy-Bird.

Has anyone else done this before? What reasons would you get off the plane for?

 

[simongr]

Did you not know it was a 190 before you boarded (i.e. at booking?)

Just re NBW - I flew in NBW to HKG and was very pleased to be on the aircraft actually.

I have never asked to leave an a/c and don't expect I ever will.

 

[Ewing]

I'd get off if I ever felt unsafe.

I've never actually voluntarily de-boarded myself, but I have had my flights changed when I've been booked in J and a 737-800 (or better) has had a last minute swap to a 737-400 with convertible seating.

 

[benmay]

Leaving SYD for BNE once, we had all got on, closed the door, started taxing. Much slower than usual. Then stopped and started turning around. Then after 10 mins started taxing back to terminal. I couldn't really work out what was going on. I was in row 1 on the 767.

But there were 2 PAX who really wanted to get off. so we went back, they got off. THANKFULLY, they didnt' have checked bags! So 10 mins later, we were back off and running again.

As they walked off, the guy looked pretty seedy, so may have been a rough night? There was a bit of a storm brewing, so maybe they didn't want to deal with that and an epic hangover?? Still about 20-30 mins delay!

 

[dfcatch]

What aircraft did you think you were getting?

 

[Blackadder]

Nope and wouldn't do it, I leave the judgement to the airline if they believe the plane is safe enough to fly then that is good enough for me.
Also wouldn't voluntary disembark just because I wasn't happy with the type of Plane.

 

[bossreggie]

In Adelaide, a number of years ago I walked to the gate and to my horror there had been a late equipment change.

I had booked a 73H and sitting there, was a 734. I got on anyway and was in row 1. We were sitting for ages, then a tech boarded the aircraft and starting tinkering in the galley. I could hear him talking to the CSM and I just started getting really nervous. I hate the 734's as they are really old, I specifically book flights avoiding them.

Anywho... I just got more and more nervous so I said to the CSM that I wanted to get off the plane. It was the last flight to MEL that night and I had checked in luggage. (Barossa Red) She asked why I wanted to leave the aircraft and I went on for probably 5 minutes about how the plane was old, there was a technical problem with it which they were trying to fix, how there had been several unexplained crashes of 734's in the USA etc.... etc....

The CSM spoke to the pilot, who came and spoke with me and he did concede that the plane was among the oldest on the Qantas fleet. He said it would all be ok and he finally calmed me enough to stay on board. This was met with a "phew" reaction from the CSM as they really didn't want to go through and find my luggage.

So.... They gave me a scotch and coke to calm me down a bit more.... The tech finished and it appeared we were ready to close the doors and go.

Suddenly there was a bit of commotion behind me in about row 5. I heard this woman getting really hysterical and she was asking if what I had said about the plane and the crashes was true..... Long story short... She completely panicked and had to be offloaded and we ended up waiting for around 20 minutes while they found her luggage.

oooops!

Sorry

Boss

 

[DC3]

trippin_the_rift,

Will you be giving us your reason for wanting to leave the aircraft?

 

[Ewing]

trippin_the_rift,

Will you be giving us your reason for wanting to leave the aircraft?

He booked business and got an E-Jet with an all economy config.

Seems simple enough to me

 

[Blackadder]

How can DJ sell a "Business" product on a non business equipped flight?

 

[serfty]

How can DJ sell a "Business" product on a non business equipped flight?

... by only selling the 4 window seats in the front 2 rows - giving each PAX a vacant seat beside them and two try tables to play with.

Note that DJ are planning to refeit these aircraft with a 1x2 configuration for rows 1 and 2.

 

[tuapekastar]

I've never done this, and there would have to be a very compelling reason for me to even consider doing so, I suppose safety concerns being the chief one.

I have to admit after reading 'horror' stories of seat-poachers who are backed up by the crew (rare I know, but still happens, so I've read), I've considered the possibility of demanding de-boarding at the last possible minute (with checked baggage on board of course ) as a 'bargaining tool' to encourage the crew to restore the seating allocations to what they should be. But I'm sure that'll never happen.

I cannot think of any other specific reason but who knows what scenario may face me in future.

 

[mannej]

Boss - I am guessing you are talking about the Rudder cases with the 737 cases? Were they not on the 732/733?

It is an interesting one. We have had people come on asking to find out if they are going to be on x aircraft as they will offload etc.
I have found that unless you do your research, most people would be none the wiser, and wouldn't know unless someone has pointed out to them that they were on NBW, OJH/K, QPA etc.

 

[bossreggie]

Boss - I am guessing you are talking about the Rudder cases with the 737 cases? Were they not on the 732/733?

It is an interesting one. We have had people come on asking to find out if they are going to be on x aircraft as they will offload etc.
I have found that unless you do your research, most people would be none the wiser, and wouldn't know unless someone has pointed out to them that they were on NBW, OJH/K, QPA etc.

Yeah... I think that was it.

I'm a nervous flyer at the best of times so I always look into the type of aircraft I am booking my flights on.

 

[richie9x]

Once I had my BP scanned. While in the aerobridge received an important phone call about an issue at work. Had to turn around and deal with the issue on the ground. I ended up taking the next flight.

Can't say I have ever had an concerns about safety.

 

[DC3]

He booked business and got an E-Jet with an all economy config.

Seems simple enough to me

Thanks, Ewing. However, the question was to trippin_the_rift.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

DC3, 73x and E190 products are VERY different. In this case it was about not receiving what I paid for.

I have no problems at all offloading myself for any safety concern. We're all seen every episode of aircraft investigations.... Once it's been damaged it is NEVER THE SAME!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Blackadder]

... by only selling the 4 window seats in the front 2 rows - giving each PAX a vacant seat beside them and two try tables to play with.

Note that DJ are planning to refeit these aircraft with a 1x2 configuration for rows 1 and 2.

Hmm I guess the term "Business Class" is somewhat flexible.
IMHO their needs to be a disclaimer on the DJ website at the time of booking for this "business" product.

 

[DC3]

DC3, 73x and E190 products are VERY different. In this case it was about not receiving what I paid for.

I have no problems at all offloading myself for any safety concern. We're all seen every episode of aircraft investigations.... Once it's been damaged it is NEVER THE SAME!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

Yes, well I was interested in this because I'm hoping to try an E190 flight next month as a J booking. Haven't booked yet but if it works out I'd like to try it out.

I guess that you had booked a 738 flight and were dissappointed when it was switched for an E190, which is quite understandable.

 

[wmetz]

Didn't it happen for real in that movie Final Destination ?