PLANE TALK - Don't get bumped

With increasingly crowded planes, and airlines accepting more passengers than the planes can hold (last year some 1.1 million people were bumped), the chances of being left at the gate this holiday season are greater than ever.

To avoid being bumped:

BOOK OFF-PEAK FLIGHTS - Avoid early-morning (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) or rush-hour (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) flights on Mondays and Fridays. That's when business travelers fly.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT - Passengers with pre-assigned seats generally get priority.

ARRIVE EXTRA EARLY - Airlines must ask if any passengers will voluntarily give up their seat before they deny you boarding. But, if you're not there 20 minutes before departure, you forfeit this right.

CHECK IN UP FRONT - If you're late, don't waste 20 minutes trekking through the terminal to gate Z43. To get your name counted as "arrived", head straight to the closest ticket counter.

If you're told you can't board:

HOLD OUT FOR A CHECK - The airlines typically offer bumped passengers a voucher for a future flight as compensation. But according to Department of Transportation rules, if you're rerouted onto a flight that reaches your destination between one and two hours later than your original flight, you're entitled to compensation worth your one-way fare, with a $200 maximum. After two hours the maximum amount is $400. If you think you're being given a flight voucher worth less than the allotted amount - or you'd prefer money - ask for a check. Air carriers must compensate you on the spot; don't let anyone tell you the check will be in the mail.

MAKE A DEAL - You never know until you ask!