Put this in the about time file.

The US DOT has increased the mandatory compensation for bumped passengers ("denied boarding" in airline speak) from the previous, woefully low $200-$400. The new compensation range is $400-$800 (still not enough in our humble opinion). Plus,  flights operated by planes with 60 or fewer seats were previously exempt; now only those with 30 or fewer are exempt. Read about this and other steps that the DOT is finally taking to address the airline mess. The new regulations go into effect in May. Says the DOT in their media release: "The amount of these payments are determined by the price of the ticket and the length of the delay, and are in addition to the value of the passenger’s ticket, which the flyer can use for alternate transportation or have refunded if not used."