Seems to me that it would be a whole lot cheaper to just not overbook flights.  

So the new plan, according to this story, would be a 1 hr flight for 4 crew members who are in the wrong city or a 4 1/2 drive for those crew members vs: a potential of $40,000 payout from the kitty of poor planning?    

Good thing they aren't running the State budget?  Oh, wait.....????