Question about air travel....

[snappyturtle]

If I have a boarding pass and only a carry on piece, do I have to check in at the ticket counter or can I go straight to security check in? I know this may seem really dumb but I have been able to avoid air travel since 2002 and I know a lot has changed.

[flying_wahini]

1. IF you have a boarding pass, all you must do is check in at gate.

n/t

[gmoney]

2. a seat assignment is NOT a boarding pass

Most of the time when I have a seat assignment for a flight, it gets changed at check-in.

Personally, I like to check in at the ticket counter, just so I don't get all the way back to my gate and discover the inevitable problem THERE that will require going back to the ticket counter.

[snappyturtle]

4. I am so embarrassed....I just read the fine print on my paper ticket.

There's a security update that says: Airports and airlines now require that you obtain a boarding pass before entering the security checkpoint. DAH! I THOUGHT I had read I could get a boarding pass on line...my bad.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Maybe you can. Some airlines let you print one out at home (see above).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Some airlines let you check in on line.

You print your boarding pass from your computer at home before you leave; then go to the airport, present your boarding pass to get through security, and go right to your gate with your carry-on. Aside from the security B.S., this is a really convenient way to do it.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Right you are.

But the OP must make sure it's a boarding pass and not just a seat or ticket confirmation and that the boarding pass as printed has all of the information on the screen image.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. I just checked -- the following airlines provide on-line check-in

and let you print you own boarding pass: American, Delta, Northwest, Continental and Southwest. I'd guess others, do, too.

[snappyturtle]

10. It seems TSA has changed the rules...again! See this link:

http://faq.cheaptickets.com/cgi-bin/cheaptickets_faq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?search=1&p_faqid=1354

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. No, it hasn't. Read carefully:

"Customers holding e-tickets can print out boarding passes at self-service check-in kiosks or at the airlines Web sites." You CAN get a valid boarding pass that gets you through security by printing it from the airline's web site when you enter the required information about your reservation. The TSA has not changed this. All the major airlines do it this way (at least as of 10 minutes ago when I looked at their websites).

The e-tickets or paper tickets they mention are not the same as boarding passes; you do have to go to the ticket counter for a boarding pass if all you have is an old-fashioned paper ticket. My point is that you can get the actual boarding pass on line without going to the ticket counter at all.

[snappyturtle]

12. Thanks ocelot! I'll give it another look see. I hope you're right. nt

[snappyturtle]

15. Put a gold star on your calendar for today!

You are right! I'm going to try to get away with just one carry bag....it's going to be a trick but...I hate baggage claim. This will save me time standing in line with people checking luggage just to get a boarding pass. Thanks so much!

(I see you're from Minneapolis! I moved to TX a year ago from northern MN. My daughter is in Minnetonka and my son is in St. Cloud. Small world.)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. Have a good flight. I think you'll really like the on-line check-in thing.

[snappyturtle]

18. I already like it! nt

[LeftyMom]

21. That's how I always do it.

Some airlines also have a kiosk in the airport for printing a boarding pass.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

5. I wouldn't carry

your piece onto the plane, unless you're an air marshall.

[snappyturtle]

7. HA! No problemo with that! nt

[meegbear]

13. Some airlines now have a 'test bin' ...

it's a wire rack box and if the carryon fits inside, you can bring it with you, after inspection of course.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. And if it doesn't fit ....

carry it on anyway. Everyone does. You can jam it into an overhead compartment.

:grr:

:rofl:

[meegbear]

20. Yep!!

The joy of flying!

[cobalt1999]

14. I travel every week.

I print the boarding pass out at home, and go straight to security.

Remember your transparent 1 quart plastic bag for your liquids, you'll be fine.

[Parche]

17. Boarding Pass

Domestic you can go thru security and straight to the gate.......

International, you MUST check in at the Counter and get the boarding pass


:hi: