Comments on: The false promise of electronic ticketing http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Donald http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14888 Donald Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:19:31 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14888 True....I could have a reservation under the name of Obie Laden and as long as the drivers license photo matched my face, and the name matched the reservation, I'd be through the checkpoint in a flash. It's all security kabuki, choreographed by that noted director Kip Hawley. True….I could have a reservation under the name of Obie Laden and as long as the drivers license photo matched my face, and the name matched the reservation, I’d be through the checkpoint in a flash.

It’s all security kabuki, choreographed by that noted director Kip Hawley.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14883 Mark Ashley Thu, 31 May 2007 15:39:41 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14883 Donald, I think that revenue protection is <em>still</em> central to the ID requirement. But now, on top of that, under the guise of security, they're trying to limit the number of people who pass through the checkpoints. As I've said before, checking ID's against boarding passes really does nothing for security, unless the ID checker has the entire list of international wanted criminals memorized. Donald, I think that revenue protection is still central to the ID requirement. But now, on top of that, under the guise of security, they’re trying to limit the number of people who pass through the checkpoints. As I’ve said before, checking ID’s against boarding passes really does nothing for security, unless the ID checker has the entire list of international wanted criminals memorized.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14882 Mark Ashley Thu, 31 May 2007 12:56:43 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14882 Have you heard of this happening recently? At every airport I've passed through in recent memory in the U.S., the ID checkers in the security line have always written (initials, or sometimes just a line) on the pass. I'd rather not have them write on my laptop screen. ;) Have you heard of this happening recently? At every airport I’ve passed through in recent memory in the U.S., the ID checkers in the security line have always written (initials, or sometimes just a line) on the pass. I’d rather not have them write on my laptop screen. ;)

]]> By: Donald http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14878 Donald Thu, 31 May 2007 05:29:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14878 At one time, Delta would let Medallion elite flyers use their SkyMiles card as a boarding pass -- you would scan the barcode on the back and board the aircraft. Come 9/11, that went by the wayside and it's back to supporting Georgia Pacific and Weyerhauser. Remember that the original ID requirements were all about preventing the transfering of tickets, forcing a "security" screening when the real purpose (IMO) was all about revenue protection. At one time, Delta would let Medallion elite flyers use their SkyMiles card as a boarding pass — you would scan the barcode on the back and board the aircraft. Come 9/11, that went by the wayside and it’s back to supporting Georgia Pacific and Weyerhauser.
Remember that the original ID requirements were all about preventing the transfering of tickets, forcing a “security” screening when the real purpose (IMO) was all about revenue protection.

]]> By: Adam http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14875 Adam Thu, 31 May 2007 03:21:07 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14875 I have heard of people who check in online and who "print" the boarding pass as a PDF and are able to get by the screeners. However, I don't think they have figured out how to scan it. I have heard of people who check in online and who “print” the boarding pass as a PDF and are able to get by the screeners. However, I don’t think they have figured out how to scan it.

]]> By: petri http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14860 petri Mon, 28 May 2007 17:09:45 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14860 I believe "Finnair service point" is a check-in operated directly by Finnair and not by a 3rd party company or other Oneworld alliance member. Anyway, the most important part is in the first part of that web page. The boarding pass -less travel is available only to frequent flyer members and only at Helsinki and Stockholm. So when checking in at JFK, one still needs to go the old fashioned way.. Then again, also the security check at HEL is reasonably easy and comfortable. They do the silly things with liquids and everything but it's rather painless and quick. I guess Finnair is both small enough to make things work and big enough to have the resources to make things work. Not that I like everything they're doing but I like their short-haul service, new fleet (not the MD11's, though), and wine cellar .. ;-) I believe “Finnair service point” is a check-in operated directly by Finnair and not by a 3rd party company or other Oneworld alliance member.

Anyway, the most important part is in the first part of that web page. The boarding pass -less travel is available only to frequent flyer members and only at Helsinki and Stockholm. So when checking in at JFK, one still needs to go the old fashioned way..

Then again, also the security check at HEL is reasonably easy and comfortable. They do the silly things with liquids and everything but it’s rather painless and quick.

I guess Finnair is both small enough to make things work and big enough to have the resources to make things work. Not that I like everything they’re doing but I like their short-haul service, new fleet (not the MD11’s, though), and wine cellar .. ;-)

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14858 Mark Ashley Mon, 28 May 2007 14:55:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14858 Petri, In Europe, I'm thinking offhand of Lufthansa, Air France, or KLM. They all require a paper boarding pass, even after electronic, phone, or SMS check-in. I have never had the pleasure of flying Finnair, I'm afraid. But it sounds like Finland's airport security is more flexible than other European countries', and doesn't require a paper boarding pass. Hats off to Finland! But other European airlines are quite clear: You need a paper boarding pass. For example, if using telephone check-in on KLM, here are the instructions for what happens after you've checked in:<blockquote>When departing from Amsterdam or London Heathrow, you can print your boarding pass at the self-service check-in machines in the departure hall. When you are departing from other airports in the Netherlands or the United Kingdom and your baggage is limited to hand baggage, your boarding pass will be ready for you to collect at the check-in desk.</blockquote>Or Lufthansa's instructions for finalizing check-in once you've received the SMS confirmation:<blockquote>You will receive a confirmation via SMS stating the pickup time for your boarding pass and the departure gate. [...] You may pick up your boarding pass at any Quick Check-in machine or Check-in counter. Should you wish to change your seat reservation, all you need to do is re-enter your boarding pass into the Quick Check-in machine and select a new seat.</blockquote>Finnair on the other hand, lets you skip the paper boarding pass <em>at some airports</em>, though it's not entirely clear which specific airports:<blockquote>At Finnair service points you should present either your flight coupon or the card or the ID you have used as identification for your e-ticket, as well as passports or other documents needed for the journey. At service points of other airport authorities, you should present one of the following: your boarding card, your ticket coupon, your e-ticket itinerary or your text message confirmation. If you have a paper ticket, please remember to take it with you.</blockquote>What's a "Finnair service point"? It's not simply an airport served by the airline. Try getting through security at New York-JFK without paperwork, even if you're flying Finnair... Nevertheless, it sounds like Finland's airports are paperless. So thanks, Petri, for the correction. Viva Suomi! Are there other airlines/countries that let you truly avoid printing boarding passes? Let me know! ---- Links to phone/WAP/SMS check-in policies: Lufthansa: http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/info_and_services/checkin?l=en&nodeid=1771352 KLM: http://www.klm.com/travel/in_en/travel_information/checkin_options/telephone_checkin/index.htm Air France: http://www.airfrance.fr/FR/fr/local/guidevoyageur/e_services/e_services_serveur_vocal.htm?BV_SessionID=@@@@1275979474.1180362110@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddlddfjdkfcefecekedfnfdfol.0 Finnair: http://www.finnair.com/finnaircom/wps/portal/finnair/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKL9473DAbJgFjOnvqRyCIu8c7eqCLe8S4-cBFfj_zcVP2g1Lx4T78QfW_9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC7Ua6A/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82X0tfM1VF Petri,

In Europe, I’m thinking offhand of Lufthansa, Air France, or KLM. They all require a paper boarding pass, even after electronic, phone, or SMS check-in.

I have never had the pleasure of flying Finnair, I’m afraid. But it sounds like Finland’s airport security is more flexible than other European countries’, and doesn’t require a paper boarding pass. Hats off to Finland! But other European airlines are quite clear: You need a paper boarding pass.

For example, if using telephone check-in on KLM, here are the instructions for what happens after you’ve checked in:

When departing from Amsterdam or London Heathrow, you can print your boarding pass at the self-service check-in machines in the departure hall. When you are departing from other airports in the Netherlands or the United Kingdom and your baggage is limited to hand baggage, your boarding pass will be ready for you to collect at the check-in desk.

Or Lufthansa’s instructions for finalizing check-in once you’ve received the SMS confirmation:

You will receive a confirmation via SMS stating the pickup time for your boarding pass and the departure gate. [...] You may pick up your boarding pass at any Quick Check-in machine or Check-in counter. Should you wish to change your seat reservation, all you need to do is re-enter your boarding pass into the Quick Check-in machine and select a new seat.

Finnair on the other hand, lets you skip the paper boarding pass at some airports, though it’s not entirely clear which specific airports:

At Finnair service points you should present either your flight coupon or the card or the ID you have used as identification for your e-ticket, as well as passports or other documents needed for the journey. At service points of other airport authorities, you should present one of the following: your boarding card, your ticket coupon, your e-ticket itinerary or your text message confirmation. If you have a paper ticket, please remember to take it with you.

What’s a “Finnair service point”? It’s not simply an airport served by the airline. Try getting through security at New York-JFK without paperwork, even if you’re flying Finnair… Nevertheless, it sounds like Finland’s airports are paperless. So thanks, Petri, for the correction. Viva Suomi!

Are there other airlines/countries that let you truly avoid printing boarding passes? Let me know!

—-

Links to phone/WAP/SMS check-in policies:
Lufthansa:
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/info_and_services/checkin?l=en&nodeid=1771352
KLM:
http://www.klm.com/travel/in_en/travel_information/checkin_options/telephone_checkin/index.htm
Air France:
http://www.airfrance.fr/FR/fr/local/guidevoyageur/e_services/e_services_serveur_vocal.htm?BV_SessionID=@@@@1275979474.1180362110@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddlddfjdkfcefecekedfnfdfol.0
Finnair:
http://www.finnair.com/finnaircom/wps/portal/finnair/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKL9473DAbJgFjOnvqRyCIu8c7eqCLe8S4-cBFfj_zcVP2g1Lx4T78QfW_9AP2C3NDQiHJHRQC7Ua6A/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82X0tfM1VF

]]> By: petri http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14857 petri Mon, 28 May 2007 14:08:09 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/05/27/the-false-promise-of-electronic-ticketing/#comment-14857 I don't know which European airline you're referring to, but at least with Finnair you can check-in paperless with SMS just fine. You receive an SMS from them with the flight details and seat, and you just reply with an 'A' letter to acknowledge the check-in. With carry-on luggage you just go directly through the security to the gate and show your ID to board. If you have checked luggage, there's a baggage drop before going through security. Although the airline part is paperless, I'm not 100% sure if you can go through the security with just the mobile phone or if one needs to print the e-ticket to confirm that you really have a flight reservation. Anyway, no need to reprint any boarding passes. I don’t know which European airline you’re referring to, but at least with Finnair you can check-in paperless with SMS just fine.

You receive an SMS from them with the flight details and seat, and you just reply with an ‘A’ letter to acknowledge the check-in. With carry-on luggage you just go directly through the security to the gate and show your ID to board. If you have checked luggage, there’s a baggage drop before going through security.

Although the airline part is paperless, I’m not 100% sure if you can go through the security with just the mobile phone or if one needs to print the e-ticket to confirm that you really have a flight reservation. Anyway, no need to reprint any boarding passes.

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