What does "check-in" mean nowadays?
Paxing All Over The World
If I have paid for a seat - I will never move. If the person who did not get it right wants to pay my upgrade to the next cabin (+ window seat) that will be considered.
As we know, all airlines now make a lot of money from the ancilliaries: Seating; Special Food; Extra cases; Last minute booking; Not checking in as they want and anything else they can think of.
As we know, all airlines now make a lot of money from the ancilliaries: Seating; Special Food; Extra cases; Last minute booking; Not checking in as they want and anything else they can think of.
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If you've paid for a specific seat, no social obligation to switch. OTOH I have *offered* to switch my (allocated) middle seat for an aisle to let a couple sit together. Win-win.
But usually I am with the offspring so we have a row of three (me in the middle to prevent squabbles) so it doesn't come up. On a recent trip found our row already occupied. Very politely, I hope, asked them to move back down the aircraft to the noisy bit.
Smartphones: I was a latecomer. But I would not be without one now. Mapping tools are extremely useful. Flightradar lets me know what that aircraft is overhead. Night sky apps mean I can point the phone up to the sky and find out what planet it is. Photos. Video calls. Turn the TV on when we can't find the remote. Control the washing machine when the touch-sensitive panel is playing up. Check rail times, translate foreign menus, check rain forecasts...
But usually I am with the offspring so we have a row of three (me in the middle to prevent squabbles) so it doesn't come up. On a recent trip found our row already occupied. Very politely, I hope, asked them to move back down the aircraft to the noisy bit.
Smartphones: I was a latecomer. But I would not be without one now. Mapping tools are extremely useful. Flightradar lets me know what that aircraft is overhead. Night sky apps mean I can point the phone up to the sky and find out what planet it is. Photos. Video calls. Turn the TV on when we can't find the remote. Control the washing machine when the touch-sensitive panel is playing up. Check rail times, translate foreign menus, check rain forecasts...
As I mentioned above, if you check-in online, print your boarding pass and have a cabin bag only, then the first time the airline would know that Squawk 6042 is ‘in the building’ would be during boarding at the gate.
However, at for example Manchester, you have to scan your boarding pass to enter the security check area. I wonder if that is just a check on boarding pass validity to keep non-travellers from getting airside, or is the scan also linked to the airline IT networks so that at that stage you are at least flagged up on the computer as being present? Same for if you use a lounge?
However, at for example Manchester, you have to scan your boarding pass to enter the security check area. I wonder if that is just a check on boarding pass validity to keep non-travellers from getting airside, or is the scan also linked to the airline IT networks so that at that stage you are at least flagged up on the computer as being present? Same for if you use a lounge?
Yes, it certainly is.......!!! By and large the arrangements that preceded the advent of the ""smartphone"" worked for me and I guess many millions of others.....
You did not need a degree in advanced Information Technology to understand it and operate it...!!!
You did not need a degree in advanced Information Technology to understand it and operate it...!!!
"You did not need a degree in advanced Information Technology to understand it and operate it...!!!"
But they do help
Its just something else you have to learn - even if you don't want to
But they do help
Its just something else you have to learn - even if you don't want to
Why should I have to "learn" anything.....? Quite happy to learn if it gives me pleasure or it is of some benefit to me. Much of this stuff is being forced up on us by either government or big business because it suits their book... Just a small "add on"; my current mobile (not smart) cost me around £ 10.oo/15.oo, probably about eight years ago. As I recall the case cost about the same as the 'phone.!!It works, does what I need it to do. Was in my 'phone provider yesterday: the updated version of mine was on offer at £29.oo. Asked the girl who was attending to me what the cheapest smartphone would cost, she pointed to the next one along, that was on offer at £ 109.oo !!! Will be using my present 'phone for the time being....!!
Paxing All Over The World
Companies should make their products available in several ways to give their customers a choice. That does not mean every possible way but trying to get everyone on the smartphone is not good service.
A couple of years ago, I dropped a friend off in LHR T5 for a long haul and proof of Cv19 vaccination required at check in. She opened her Smartphone but could not get a signal. The data is stored centrally to prevent as much fraud as possible. So I switched my Smartphone on to make a 'HotSpot', this means that my phone is connected to the network but allows her phone to connect to mine and use my network temporarily. It all worked and we apologised for the delay.
On more than one occaision at JNB international departures, I have not been able to get a signal to my phone for check-in. OR I get the pass on the phone but, by the time I get to the head of the queue, the screen has blanked to save power - and I then cannot get a signal to refresh the screen.
So I always take printed paper along with me. The same goes for hotel and car bookings. ANYTHING I book before we leave home is in my carry on. When I get home, the paper goes into the recycling.
A couple of years ago, I dropped a friend off in LHR T5 for a long haul and proof of Cv19 vaccination required at check in. She opened her Smartphone but could not get a signal. The data is stored centrally to prevent as much fraud as possible. So I switched my Smartphone on to make a 'HotSpot', this means that my phone is connected to the network but allows her phone to connect to mine and use my network temporarily. It all worked and we apologised for the delay.
On more than one occaision at JNB international departures, I have not been able to get a signal to my phone for check-in. OR I get the pass on the phone but, by the time I get to the head of the queue, the screen has blanked to save power - and I then cannot get a signal to refresh the screen.
So I always take printed paper along with me. The same goes for hotel and car bookings. ANYTHING I book before we leave home is in my carry on. When I get home, the paper goes into the recycling.
well you could avoid learning to read & write. It's not absolutely necessary to live, even in a modern country.
But in general that's the way it's gone - once a large part of society takes up a technology you have the choice to join in or stay out. personally I really dislike having to spend time on something I don't want to have - but its very hard to avoid.
But in general that's the way it's gone - once a large part of society takes up a technology you have the choice to join in or stay out. personally I really dislike having to spend time on something I don't want to have - but its very hard to avoid.
When I travel, even if I have the App and info on my phone - I still print out the details for several reasons.
- It is true that your phone can seize up, fail to connect or just not provide the information at the critical moment.
- When reaching an agent, it is far faster to slip the paper under the plastic face guard, or across the counter. Then they have all the info they need in one place and can read the particular items in the sequence they need. If you hold the phone - it may be too far away for them to see clearly. If you pass the phone to them, they may acciendtally touch the screen in such a way as the information vanishes.
- When you have to ask anyone for information, or respond to a request from ground or cabin crew - it is much easier and faster to hand over the paper than put your hand case down and fish out your phone!
Always had OHP slides as a backup in case the laptop/projector setup didn’t work
Always have a physical boarding pass to go with the app or Apple Wallet
And don’t forget - the Muricans require a physical eticket. (Go figure)
