Purpose of boarding card 'check' at aircraft door
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Purpose of boarding card 'check' at aircraft door
This got me thinking on a recent flight.
What's the purpose of the CC checking pax's boarding passes at the aircraft door? I think most pax are intelligent enough to find their seat number and row without a vague arm gesture from the cabin crew upon boarding? Regardless of seat number/row, its the same gesture 'oh row 'x' down there and left' or 'oh row 'z' down there and right'.
What's the purpose of the CC checking pax's boarding passes at the aircraft door? I think most pax are intelligent enough to find their seat number and row without a vague arm gesture from the cabin crew upon boarding? Regardless of seat number/row, its the same gesture 'oh row 'x' down there and left' or 'oh row 'z' down there and right'.
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T250,
You may be accurate in the statement "most folks", but don't rule out the lack of intelligence on the remainder. That, or those who either are not paying attention or perhaps should just not be allowed out in public.
A number of years back (prior to 9/11) I witnessed someone get past the boarding process only to hear the announcement of the flight details onboard - just prior to door closing and push back.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to AAA Flight 123 from X to Y" and then seeing a passenger realizing that they were on the wrong aircraft because they were planning on going to Z, not Y.
Hasty collection of personal effects, up the aisle and out the door.
You may be accurate in the statement "most folks", but don't rule out the lack of intelligence on the remainder. That, or those who either are not paying attention or perhaps should just not be allowed out in public.
A number of years back (prior to 9/11) I witnessed someone get past the boarding process only to hear the announcement of the flight details onboard - just prior to door closing and push back.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to AAA Flight 123 from X to Y" and then seeing a passenger realizing that they were on the wrong aircraft because they were planning on going to Z, not Y.
Hasty collection of personal effects, up the aisle and out the door.
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Yup, the boarding card is what you need to show to board the aircraft. All the checks before this are the extra checks to try and make sure problems don't occur at/in the aircraft.
I never understand why people think they should only have to show it once.
I never understand why people think they should only have to show it once.
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Given the number of people who have asked me for directions at airports while standing right in front of oversized signs, and the number of people who have asked if I could validate their parking ticket or help with their luggage at various hotels purely because I was wearing a uniform, I would say that there are a frightening number of people out there who need all the help they can get. Hence the need for boarding cards.
Darwin's ideas on evolution has been suspended for quite some time when it comes to humans.
Darwin's ideas on evolution has been suspended for quite some time when it comes to humans.
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The number of people who manage to make it onto the wrong aircraft is quite scary - not sure if it's the fault of the pax who can't manage to find the right plane, or the fault of the ground staff who aren't checking the cards properly. 50/50 I think!
I've never understood why people feel the need to question this: it's the procedure on every flight, has been for years. There are some real dim 
out there and they need to checked or guided every step of the way.
out there and they need to checked or guided every step of the way.
This thread has been done (to death) before. There is a search function.
Not on most of the flights I've been on (well over 500).
I think most pax are intelligent enough
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I never understand why people think they should only have to show it once.
it's the procedure on every flight, has been for years
Last edited by Final 3 Greens; 30th Aug 2009 at 06:09.
Agree with F3G. Personally for me one of the biggest frustrations of flying regularly is the lack of standardisation - even with the same airline (and it's not just the Boarding card issue either). At times it comes down to the individual and their mood of the day. So one day I board with BC in hand and get a disinterested F/A. The next day I board (same airline) not having my BC in hand and get the God-help-me look from the F/A who, this time, wants to check it. You just can't win, and the passenger is always wrong! 
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With the airlines where you are pre-seated, and which have premium cabins, it ensures that the SLF turn firstly in the right direction and then into the correct aisle.
However with the LoCo's it seems pointless other than to check that right SLF is on right cattle truck. Mistakes do happen specially when a/c are parked close to each other on the tarmac, and I was once bussed to the wrong a/c along with a dozen other pax.
Yesterday I asked an Easyjet FA on boarding why they check the boarding pass, she smiled and said : "Because we're supposed to ....".
They don't always even look properly, not long ago I did a day trip CPT - JNB - CPT and showed the northbound BP which I'd used in the morning, for the southbound flight, I only realised when I saw that 'my' seat was occupied what I'd done, but the FA hadn't realised.
However with the LoCo's it seems pointless other than to check that right SLF is on right cattle truck. Mistakes do happen specially when a/c are parked close to each other on the tarmac, and I was once bussed to the wrong a/c along with a dozen other pax.
Yesterday I asked an Easyjet FA on boarding why they check the boarding pass, she smiled and said : "Because we're supposed to ....".
They don't always even look properly, not long ago I did a day trip CPT - JNB - CPT and showed the northbound BP which I'd used in the morning, for the southbound flight, I only realised when I saw that 'my' seat was occupied what I'd done, but the FA hadn't realised.
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If FAs didn't check the boarding cards, why have them welcome you at all? People could just get on any door like a train, sit down, and then during the flight an FA comes to punch a hole in your ticket.
Personally, I like checking boarding cards as it gives us an opportunity to interact with the pax, understand their nationalities, who they're traveling with, whether they're drunk or angry, and gives me a sense of who's on board to tailor the service accordingly. Stopping/slowing the running stampede from the bus/gate also helps calm the crowd as they enter a plane (not a soccer stadium).
Yes, and it saves headaches if you can direct the pax who's bound for Brussels instead of Berlin to the right plane before we've pushed back.
Personally, I like checking boarding cards as it gives us an opportunity to interact with the pax, understand their nationalities, who they're traveling with, whether they're drunk or angry, and gives me a sense of who's on board to tailor the service accordingly. Stopping/slowing the running stampede from the bus/gate also helps calm the crowd as they enter a plane (not a soccer stadium).
Yes, and it saves headaches if you can direct the pax who's bound for Brussels instead of Berlin to the right plane before we've pushed back.
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WE DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR SEAT NUMBER!!!!!!
It is a security procedure, all we are checking is the flight number and the date to ensure that you are supposed to be on this aircraft. WHY DO WE DO IT when the boarding staff should have already done so???? We do it because sometime in the past people have managed to slip through the system and as it was decided that the cabin crew are the first and last point of contact for anyone intending on entering an aircraft it is best we check again just in case!!!
No we only tell you which way to your seat just out of politeness!!!
It is a security procedure, all we are checking is the flight number and the date to ensure that you are supposed to be on this aircraft. WHY DO WE DO IT when the boarding staff should have already done so???? We do it because sometime in the past people have managed to slip through the system and as it was decided that the cabin crew are the first and last point of contact for anyone intending on entering an aircraft it is best we check again just in case!!!
No we only tell you which way to your seat just out of politeness!!!
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I'm not sure that confused passengers comes purely down to stupidity. As a frequent flier it is easy to forget how frightening travelling maybe to some people who rarely leave their own house. If you spend a few moments in Heathrow or Schiphol to watch people desperately scanning the boards and searching for gates amongst the shops and hoping that the someone will guide them onto the plane which they may have just spent their life savings on to travel. Some will have emotional stresses, others will be tired.
But even as a frequent flier, we all have a preference of which airport to transfer through 'because its easier'. Thats a choice you make because your familiar with it and feel comfortable there (I personally prefer KLM via Schiphol as the UK and International flights are within the same terminal).
So what i'm saying is that, people boarding a wrong plane, or concerned about where they are going to sit because they don't understand the seats rows maybe just because this is a completely brand new or rare experience for them.
But even as a frequent flier, we all have a preference of which airport to transfer through 'because its easier'. Thats a choice you make because your familiar with it and feel comfortable there (I personally prefer KLM via Schiphol as the UK and International flights are within the same terminal).
So what i'm saying is that, people boarding a wrong plane, or concerned about where they are going to sit because they don't understand the seats rows maybe just because this is a completely brand new or rare experience for them.
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Some interesting replies, thank you.
Please don't shout! 
Its laughable you call it a 'security procedure' when I have seen quite the opposite!! Take some of the Greek Island airports, from recent experience, after having my boarding pass checked at the gate inside the terminal, passengers were then directed (unescorted) down a walkway leading to the apron, passing by numerous open doors to airside baggage sort areas (no one supervising us or any airport staff). So it defeats the check all together, as a baggage handler/any airside apron staff could simply take my boarding pass and board the aircraft! and I could have disappeared off into the airport.
Please don't call it a security check!
So in theory, at airports where there is no direct air bridge connection, the last line in defence against incorrect passengers on a flight is in the terminal building at the boarding gate and that should be the case anyway I would have thought?
I'm mainly bringing the topic up due to what I've just mentioned.
I expect some passengers also feel an annoyance factor too, ie. why am I, having walked 50-100 metres being asked for my boarding pass again?
WE DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR SEAT NUMBER!!!!!!
It is a security procedure, all we are checking is the flight number and the date to ensure that you are supposed to be on this aircraft. WHY DO WE DO IT when the boarding staff should have already done so???? We do it because sometime in the past people have managed to slip through the system and as it was decided that the cabin crew are the first and last point of contact for anyone intending on entering an aircraft it is best we check again just in case!!!
No we only tell you which way to your seat just out of politeness!!!
It is a security procedure, all we are checking is the flight number and the date to ensure that you are supposed to be on this aircraft. WHY DO WE DO IT when the boarding staff should have already done so???? We do it because sometime in the past people have managed to slip through the system and as it was decided that the cabin crew are the first and last point of contact for anyone intending on entering an aircraft it is best we check again just in case!!!
No we only tell you which way to your seat just out of politeness!!!
Its laughable you call it a 'security procedure' when I have seen quite the opposite!! Take some of the Greek Island airports, from recent experience, after having my boarding pass checked at the gate inside the terminal, passengers were then directed (unescorted) down a walkway leading to the apron, passing by numerous open doors to airside baggage sort areas (no one supervising us or any airport staff). So it defeats the check all together, as a baggage handler/any airside apron staff could simply take my boarding pass and board the aircraft! and I could have disappeared off into the airport.
Please don't call it a security check!So in theory, at airports where there is no direct air bridge connection, the last line in defence against incorrect passengers on a flight is in the terminal building at the boarding gate and that should be the case anyway I would have thought?
I've never understood why people feel the need to question this
I expect some passengers also feel an annoyance factor too, ie. why am I, having walked 50-100 metres being asked for my boarding pass again?
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Well just because secure parts of the airport are not guarded or closed off, is not the crews fault now is it?
I am not CC, I am a Pilot, in our CAM (Cabin Attendant Manual), it quite clearly states that the checking of boarding passes is a security check, the last one. Also there is the case of Hand Luggage, Unruly passengers, Animals in the cabin.
No hold on, you know it all and therefore are not prepared to listen to anyone inside the industry who does this day in day out as you know better. Sorry to have bothered you Sir, would you like to tell me how to fly better?
I am not CC, I am a Pilot, in our CAM (Cabin Attendant Manual), it quite clearly states that the checking of boarding passes is a security check, the last one. Also there is the case of Hand Luggage, Unruly passengers, Animals in the cabin.
No hold on, you know it all and therefore are not prepared to listen to anyone inside the industry who does this day in day out as you know better. Sorry to have bothered you Sir, would you like to tell me how to fly better?
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The final check is to ensure that PAX are onboard the correct aircraft.
I am a dispatcher, and twice i have been dispatching a flight where PAX have been on the wrong aircraft, simple mistake made at the gate when gate staff have been very busy. However, both times it was gate staff that discovered it when checking boarding cards after all PAX have passed through the gate, the cabin crew missed it too.
I am a dispatcher, and twice i have been dispatching a flight where PAX have been on the wrong aircraft, simple mistake made at the gate when gate staff have been very busy. However, both times it was gate staff that discovered it when checking boarding cards after all PAX have passed through the gate, the cabin crew missed it too.
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At the airline I work for, if you don't have a boarding card for the flight you are trying to board, you will not be allowed on the plane. If a passenger loses their boarding card between the gate and the aircraft, thier passport will be checked against the passenger manifest. I suspect all airlines use the same rules.
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Gosh, I'm really surprised to see these answers. I can't remember the last time I've actually shown anyone my boarding pass as I enter the aircraft. I've always treated it like going to the symphony: once I'm in the main entrance and they've checked my ticket there, I have no reason to show my ticket to anyone after that to get to my seat. After all, my boarding pass has just been checked as I enter the jetway, so I see no reason why it needs to be checked again at the other end of the jetway as I get onto the aircraft. And in all these years, no attendant has ever asked to see my boarding pass. I usually just smile at them and say hello as I walk into the plane and go to my seat.