Travelers can now receive up to $400 if they are involuntarily bumped and rebooked on another flight within two hours after their original domestic flight time and within four hours for international. They are eligible for up to $800 in cash if they are not rerouted by then. The final amount depends on the length of the flight and the price paid for the ticket.

Even stricter rules apply in Europe, where compensation ranges from 125 euros (about $185) to 600 euros (about $888), depending on the length of the flight and the amount of time the passenger will be delayed.

Compensation must be paid immediately in cash, or with a voucher if the passenger accepts it, and the airline must offer a choice of a refund, a return flight to their departure city or an alternative flight. Volunteers also receive compensation, which they negotiate with the airline.

Passengers are learning, however, that if an airline does not get enough volunteers at a lower figure, they might be able to bid up the offer, and also obtain sweeteners that include vouchers for meals, hotels, transportation and even plane tickets.

Baiting the bump is a proud tradition for many thrifty travelers. If negotiating provides a cathartic prelude to vacation, read our guide for getting bumped.

If your trip can't wait for vouchers and cash, we also have a handy guide for holding onto your seat.

As Overbooked Flights Rise, So Do Payoffs for Those Who Are Bumped [The New York Times]
(Photo: Getty)

Crocs CEO says:

"Current macrotrends in the environment" have led to weaker-than-expected sales, according to Crocs Chief Executive Ron Snyder, speaking to analysts during a conference call on Tuesday.

The Washington Metro _ one of the nation's largest transit systems _ has even posted ads warning about such shoes on its moving stairways. The ads feature a photo of a crocodile, which is the company logo, though the signs don't mention Crocs by name..

Crocs shares plummet 40 percent after outlook slashed [Reuters]
Japan seeks design change for Crocs because of injuries [CNNMoney]
(Photo:loop_oh)

Bloomberg provides some obvious theories as to why this might be:

By selling in bulk, Costco attracts shoppers seeking to buy more goods with fewer trips to counter higher food and fuel costs as the U.S. economy slows. Customers, who pay annual membership fees, also sought out cut-rate luxury items such as Burberry and Fendi handbags and Omega watches.

Costco is ``focused on the member and the value that they are bringing to the member,'' Lauri Brunner, an analyst at Thrivent Asset Management in Minneapolis, said in a March 3 telephone interview. The chain continues to ``reap the benefits of trip consolidation by consumers.''

Costco Profit Rises 31% as Shoppers Stock Up on Food (Update4) [Bloomberg]
(Photo:greenwenvy08)

"The rising trend in noncurrent loans indicates that write-offs and loss provisions will likely remain high for the near future," FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair said in the FDIC's Quarterly Banking Profile. She added, "We'll also need to keep a close eye as we've been doing for a number of months on loan portfolios other than housing, including commercial real estate, credit cards, and small business. All of these are showing signs of stress as housing market weakness continues."

Q4 2007 U.S. banking profits lowest in 16 years [MarketWatch]
(Photo:Library of Congress)

Sears Expects 60% Drop in Profit for Quarter [NYT]
(Photo: meghannmarco)

Under the new regulations:

• Lenders will be required to treat all borrowers fairly and equally;
• Lenders must have a "reasonable belief" that the borrower can repay the proposed mortgage;
• Lenders would be required to offer the cheapest loan for which the borrower qualifies;

The Massachusetts Senate in June adopted many of Governor Deval L. Patrick's proposals for increased regulation. The version before the House today is similar. Mortgage brokers and lenders must be licensed, pay an annual fee and be subject to greater regulation and oversight by the Massachusetts Division of Banks. The money would be used to finance housing counselors who would assist first-time homebuyers planning to use adjustable-rate loans.

The legislation would also give borrowers a 90-day grace period in which to catch up on loan payments if they fall behind. And it limits the fees lenders can charge if borrowers convert from adjustable-rate loans to fixed-rate loans, which are generally easier to repay.

State toughens rules on mortgages [Boston Globe]
(AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

The merger with May has not gone well for Macy's, and they're having trouble integrating the Marshall Field's stores. From the Sun-Times:

Profits were hurt by higher-than-expected costs of integrating more than 400 former May Department Stores, including the Marshall Field's chain. Macy's bought the May Department Stores for $11 billion in August 2005.

But cost cuts helped shrink selling, general and administrative expenses.

Sales at the former Marshall Field's and other May stores continue to disappoint, but are closing the gap in performance with long-time Macy's stores, Chief Financial Officer Karen Hoguet said in a conference call with analysts.

The gap should close next year, but the converted Marshall Field's stores might take longer to gain acceptance, Hoguet said. Long-time Macy's stores were hurt by missteps in color and style in ready-to-wear clothing in the spring. Hoguet said Macy's executives believe they have the right fashions for fall, such as denim, wide-leg pants and novelty jackets and coats.

Tell us: What's wrong with Macy's?

Macy's cuts outlook after profit falls 77 percent for the quarter [Chicago Sun-Times]
(Photo:Meghann Marco)

PREVIOUSLY: Fruit Fly Infestation Shuts Down Macy's Food Court

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11 (AP) — Monsanto said on Wednesday that its quarterly loss widened as lower sales of seeds and related products offset higher sales of Roundup and other herbicides.

Losses are expected to be made up next quarter with the launch of a new new agricultural product designed to curb population growth in third world countries. They're still kicking around a few name but so far Infanticide leads the pack.

"As a result, wages and salaries now make up the lowest share of the nation's gross domestic product since the government began recording the data in 1947, while corporate profits have climbed to their highest share since the 1960's. UBS, the investment bank, recently described the current period as "the golden era of profitability."

And yet, somehow they can't afford meatier customer service.

Maybe it's just reflective of American's growing disinterest in having their babies boiled in the parking lot.

(Sidebar: while looking for Walmart photos to jack, we came across these of Beijing Walmart workers. Their vests shirts are red. Curious, no?)

Cingular posted a strong second quarter as the company continues to see gains from its merger with AT&T Wireless. While revenue increased only a modest 7%, profit spiked 267% to a record $540 million. Cingular remains the largest carrier in the US, with 57.3 million customers.

Two-hundred and sixty-seven percent. Wow. You go, girl. You sure can make it hand over fist if you give people a lot less than what they paid for.

"Cingular Posts Strong Second Quarter" [MobileTracker] (Thanks to Brad!)

Previously: Cingular thread of suck.