I didn't say to apologize. Why would I ask you to apologize when you're unapologetic? What's wrong with you? I meant something along the lines of "Hello - I just wanted to explain that I know you're getting stranded here. The reason for that is that you would get on this flight if I took the jumpseat, but I don't feel like doing that because the company overbooked the flight and it's not my problem to fix that." Just some words straight from the previous statement - no apologies, just an explanation, much like you might give your passengers if you had to hold, or go around. If you truly believe in the ethics of your position on this matter, you should have no problem doing them that courtesy.

Our contract says the following: "Pilots Deadheading to, or as part of, an assignment shall travel positive space (Must Ride) and have seats reserved in advance by the Company. Pilots may elect to sit in a cockpit jumpseat if all of the seats in thecabin are filled with positive space revenue passengers or other Deadheading crew members." That said, we are operating at record load factors, in a tough revenue environment, in a business beset with flight cancellations, rebookings, irregular operations, weather-induced problems, sick calls, etc. Deliberately overbooked flights are the exception, not the rule.