Posts Tagged ‘check in’
Online Check In
Many of us waste precious time waiting in line at ticket counters
for check-in at the airport. Most all major airlines now offer
virtual check-in online at their websites. With this, if you choose
to only carry-on and not check any bags, you can bypass the ticket
counter completely and head straight for the gate once you get to
the airport.
Let’s face it, there is no joy to stand in a long line just to deal with
a possibly very cranky or flat out rude airline representative. (a
note to you airline reps. I know this not all of you out there but,
research shows that most of you really lack the customer service
skills you should have.) If you don’t have to waste time with
standing in line to use a kiosk and you can check -in online at
home, then why not do this? Not to mention, if you are running a
little behind or get caught in traffic this will help you make it on
your flight.
Now for you bag checkers out there, some airlines have an online
option to check bags while you virtual check-in. So, when you get
to the airport you just head to kiosk or counter with your bags, id,
and boarding passes. However, be prepared most airlines out
there now charge for any checked bags at all. If they do, there
should be an option to pay for these fees in advance on-line during
check-in. Good luck!
Tags: airline representative, airlines, airport, carry-on, check bags, check in, check-in online, Online Check In, ticket counter, virtual check-in
TSA Secure Flight
Have you ever been mistaken for a person on one of the TSA’s “watch lists”? It can be frustrating and delay your plans in the airport. The TSA has lists of people who are considered possible flight risks and tries to catch these individuals should they attempt to fly. People who have similar names to those on these lists are often repeatedly subjected to extra security measures including additional screening.
The TSA’s new program, Secure Flight, aims to eliminate some of this hassle for airline passengers by gathering a little additional information about passengers from the airlines. This information includes: the name as it appears on the ID they will be traveling with, gender and date of birth. This process is a “behind the scenes” security measure, the airlines collect the information from you and pass it to the TSA. Not all airlines have begun collecting the information but, should soon be doing so as their systems allow storage of this data in their reservation systems.
What can a passenger do if they continue to show up on a No Fly List, or extra security screening lists without cause? First, know that some passengers are just randomly selected for extra screening and that if you go through extra screening it is not an indicator in itself that you are on a TSA list. If you are considered to be a person of interest by these lists, you will know it by the extra questions at check in and extra screening every time you fly. If this is you, and you believe it is a case of mistaken identity, you can seek redress. This will allow you to seek resolution and avoid future delays. To seek redress go to www.dhs.gov/trip.
Tags: airline passengers, airlines, check in, extra screening, fly, mistaken identity, No Fly List, redress, reservation, TSA, TSA Secure Flight
Paperless Boarding Passes
Are you ready to say Goodbye to paper boarding passes? Soon you will, airlines are pushing for more and more for virtual options for their passengers. From electronic tickets to online check-in airlines are keeping up with technology. Soon you will be able to pass security and board a flight with a virtual boarding pass sent to your “smart phone”. So, with your phone, an ID, and your smiling face (optional) you can head straight to the gate. Security and the gate agents simply scan a barcode off you phone and you are set. You can board a flight without ever having to stop at a ticket counter again. At least if you have no bags to check. The method was tested this summer at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Is it a good thing? Less paper makes it greener, the electronic aspect makes it more convenient, and it definitely streamlines the process. But, will you miss the personal interaction in your flying experience as technology takes over? First you book online, then you get your pass from your phone, that leaves the security screen and a brief “have a nice flight”, from your gate agent as the sum of human interaction at the airport. Personally I wish that the methods that airlines are using were more like extra options. Try and check-in with a person at ticket counter and you are redirected to a self check kiosk. Don’t check your bag online and you are hit with an extra charge. While they are supposed to be for our convenience, it seems more like the airlines are saying “don’t bother us “. It shouldn’t be a hassle or a fee to check-in or make a reservation with a real person. Where has the customer service gone? But, to each his own. This is the trend of the future, I just wish it wasn’t an abandonment of the past.
www.captainnowhere.com
Tags: airline, airport, boarding pass, check in, flight, security, smart phone, virtual pass