British Airways moves to automated check-in for domestic
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Grandma can ask for assistance as a special needs pax and be met at the 'check-in' area. I would not be to confident onthe BAstaff that are there toassist as these few are usually swamped. As with so many service industry iniatives you will like it and us it, choice will be removed?
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I have used the BA self Checkin Kiosks twice, at EDI and LHR. At both airports the process was very quick and there was litteraly no que at the Bag Drop desk, and this was at rush hour at both airports. I am going to use tese kiosks again in the summer when I fly to Prague from Gatwick, hopefully I will have the same experience again.
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My wife tells me that anyone with an onward connection will still have to check in at a desk. The kiosks are for single sector journeys. How true that is I don't know, but it would seem logical. We'll find out when they eventually install kiosks here on the IOM ! 
skiddy
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Originally Posted by skiddyiom
My wife tells me that anyone with an onward connection will still have to check in at a desk. The kiosks are for single sector journeys. How true that is I don't know, but it would seem logical. We'll find out when they eventually install kiosks here on the IOM !
skiddy
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Surely the majority of countries in the world (if not all) require visas from passengers of some other countries ... how is the system going to work that one out?
Jordan
Jordan
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I know you dont want to hear this, but on this side of the Pond, I'd say 85% of checkins are now self-check-in at the kiosk. Much faster than waiting for some bored twit at the desk to do you while she worries about her nail job due at 3pm. Ongoing flights check in fine. Baggage checks in fine, prints the tag, and the one bored person sticks it on your bag and sends you off to the TSA nazis. For International some still work manually, others you put in your passport stuff, then a uniform verifies it and off you go.
This is a step forward, folks!
This is a step forward, folks!
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At the end of the day, if you are travelling by train do you prefer to get your ticket from a machine or go to the counter? I know I prefer to go to the machine, its quick and easy and I dont have to make pointless conversation with someone which I would otherwise have to do cos Im too damn polite sometimes!
If however you want to physically speak to someone (so you can hint for an upgrade...why else would it matter) then just go up to the bag desk ( they will still have all the normal equipment of a typical check in desk) and claim you have crippling arthritis (now do you spell that?) in your fingers and you cant use the kiosks!!!
If however you want to physically speak to someone (so you can hint for an upgrade...why else would it matter) then just go up to the bag desk ( they will still have all the normal equipment of a typical check in desk) and claim you have crippling arthritis (now do you spell that?) in your fingers and you cant use the kiosks!!!
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Originally Posted by obgraham
I know you dont want to hear this, but on this side of the Pond, I'd say 85% of checkins are now self-check-in at the kiosk. Much faster than waiting for some bored twit at the desk to do you while she worries about her nail job due at 3pm. Ongoing flights check in fine. Baggage checks in fine, prints the tag, and the one bored person sticks it on your bag and sends you off to the TSA nazis. For International some still work manually, others you put in your passport stuff, then a uniform verifies it and off you go.
This is a step forward, folks!
This is a step forward, folks!
The machine may be fine for checking in quick internal flights but I would suggest international flights should still be manual. However, I'm sure you know best as Americans always do as we can see around the world.
skiddy
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Originally Posted by skiddyiom
And who asks the security questions? Your amazing TSA? More power for them to torment you with. Thats good.
The machine may be fine for checking in quick internal flights but I would suggest international flights should still be manual. However, I'm sure you know best as Americans always do as we can see around the world.
skiddy
The machine may be fine for checking in quick internal flights but I would suggest international flights should still be manual. However, I'm sure you know best as Americans always do as we can see around the world.
skiddy
It does not matter if people like them or not they are here to stay and they will soon become the future. It costs far less for a self service machine situated in a termainal than a chechin desk, computer system and someone to man the desk.
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Travelling Gatwick-Bologna on Friday morning, first time I had luggage to check with my pre-printed boarding pass (I usually try to travel hand baggage only, but Mrs PV was accompanying me ...). Arrive Gatwick 06:55, enter lounge 07:05 having dropped off suitcase and been through security - can't see how I can improve on that!
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Originally Posted by skiddyiom
I'm sure you know best as Americans always do as we can see around the world.
For what it's worth, I think UK check-in security is far and away better than the rubbish we deal with here.
And Mrs. Skid sounds great -- she doesn't work check-in in a large US place!
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For International some still work manually, others you put in your passport stuff, then a uniform verifies it and off you go.
This is a step forward, folks!
This is a step forward, folks!
(US citizens visiting Europe without a visa must have evidence of a return booking within 90 days - an "Open" ticket is not sufficient - or possess evidence of European residency.)
This is a giant leap backwards, people!!!
Join Date: Apr 2005
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self service check in
Sounds Great doesnt it! Hard to think it will work though especially as those people who decide to check in online at the moment find it difficult half the time to print out their online boarding cards and then get to the airport and make comments to "the girl painting her nails" that he forgot. Whats the point of a self service check in at an airport where 85% of people are checking bags through for an onward connection, and the rest are business men that are just using the on line check in system to reserve themselves seats and cant be asked to take the time to print out their boarding cards so have to join the Q anyway. Check In agents are the face of the airline and its all about Customer Service, interaction with their customers and making them feel important, cant see how a computerised self check in has the same appeal. BA should be investing in making better use of their hard worked check in agents not trying to replace them with an inanimate object that can at times break down and be totally useless, how many times have you tried to check in at a conventional desk to be told by the agent "sorry this agent is out of order".
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Originally Posted by lexxity
Ah Treaclecat if only the airlines thought like that. 
Don't you realise humans are obsolete?
Don't you realise humans are obsolete?
Lady Lexxington
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Treaclecat I was being sarcastic. Check my profile. It affects me as much as everyone else. I think too much is being given over to machines. I can only hope it comes full circle.
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So is there some reason why we shouldn't have both? A line for those who link flying with social interaction and job creation. A machine for antisocials who prefer efficiency.
Something Gorgeous in the City
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Yep, I have no problem with pre-printing my own boarding pass or using the machine, when travelling alone and on business. When I take my family on holiday (including 6 year old kid) I am not allowed, at present, to use either of these. So now what I see is that there will be a reduced number of desks, with lexx and her overworked colleagues, trying to deal with all the people who can't use self check in, as well as the "fast" (oh hah hah, that really was a lol moment!) bag drop folk.
On the exit row question, I'm really flummoxed. Presumably, you can't allow someone to put themselves in that row; on the other hand, the able-bodied passenger without kids will have done the automated process and been sat somewhere else. So ....
... who ends up in the exit row??
On the exit row question, I'm really flummoxed. Presumably, you can't allow someone to put themselves in that row; on the other hand, the able-bodied passenger without kids will have done the automated process and been sat somewhere else. So ....
... who ends up in the exit row??
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When it comes to exit row seats, these are normally 'blocked off' prior to loading into the system for 'deserving cases' such as the Captain's wife or girlfriend or the CSD's 'partner'. Who asks the security questions and profiles the passengers? Well, please do not ask awkward questions. It's all about BA saving money, not about 'better service or 'airport experience' 
BA has gone to the dogs....
BA has gone to the dogs....