Air Travel

Question:

You can buy your ticket online and print the email  intinerary sent to you upon confirmation. That’s technically all you need along with your government issued ID. This is how it is at MSP and all the airports I’ve flown through, however it may be different in others, but I don’t think so. Jim

Response:

Delta has been issuing e-tickets that look like paper ones for years, same thing, same contents..

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I had occasion to get something new the other day, sort of a > combo…. > Paying for a pair of AA tickets with vouchers, I tried to make > the reservation on the web site (to get the cheap fare), called > techservices to explain the confusion (getting them to hold the > reservation at the lower price which seemed to be moving > constantly – Thanks AA), and drove to the nearest AA counter at > the local commuter service only airport (where AEagle advises by > big sign, "No ticket sales for one hour before each flight", > which means a narrow transaction window) to fork over the > "paper", actually three different kinds of vouchers (which > change ticket prices dramatically, since some taxes are reduced > a heap). > In exchange, I received what are "paper" (the traditional dot > matrix print card ticket stock) e-tickets, saving I suppose the > additional charge AA now levies for paper ticketing.  There were > actually three cards for each e-ticket… > A)  an ACT-DFW/DFW-MCI "passenger itinerary" ("Not valid for > travel") > B)  an MCI-ORD plus MDW-DFW/DFW-ACT of the same description > C) and a "passenger Receipt" with a shorthand, condensed version > of the entire itinerary plus the rather compex fare calculation. > So, now there are more than one kind of e-tickets…. > TMO

Response:

 I had occasion to get something new the other day, sort of a combo…. Paying for a pair of AA tickets with vouchers, I tried to make the reservation on the web site (to get the cheap fare), called techservices to explain the confusion (getting them to hold the reservation at the lower price which seemed to be moving constantly – Thanks AA), and drove to the nearest AA counter at the local commuter service only airport (where AEagle advises by big sign, "No ticket sales for one hour before each flight", which means a narrow transaction window) to fork over the "paper", actually three different kinds of vouchers (which change ticket prices dramatically, since some taxes are reduced a heap). In exchange, I received what are "paper" (the traditional dot matrix print card ticket stock) e-tickets, saving I suppose the additional charge AA now levies for paper ticketing.  There were actually three cards for each e-ticket… A)  an ACT-DFW/DFW-MCI "passenger itinerary" ("Not valid for travel") B)  an MCI-ORD plus MDW-DFW/DFW-ACT of the same description C) and a "passenger Receipt" with a shorthand, condensed version of the entire itinerary plus the rather compex fare calculation. So, now there are more than one kind of e-tickets…. TMO

Response:

Yes, it should be.  The airline "sescurity" does not actually check for a reservation when you are going through the magnometers.  The only "required" information is your name and a ticket number, but receipts often include flight itinerary info. I will note, though, then when I’ve received email receipts, they arrive as text-file attachments which print out and appear like travel-agent receipts … nicely formatted and technical-looking. But yes, that IS all that you need to go through security.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper ticket. > > The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you ask > > for one. > > Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to print > > them on thermal paper. > Or just an e-mail. > If I make the reservation on the *phone* they will send an email (is > this equivalent to the itinerary a travel agent gives you)? And you > are saying this is good enough to get me through security checkpoint > both ways? > John

Response:

> It is not sufficient at all airports, there are some that require you to > obtain a boarding pass or a security pass printed from a counter only > issuing them before getting through security.  It’s quicker then checking in > at the front counter, but still required at a few places.  Newark was doing > it a while ago, the last couple of times we’ve flown through they were not > doing it anymore.

What is still confusing me is if this has to be done both ways? In other words, if when leaving I go to the counter with my imaginary e-ticket and am given something concrete on paper or whatever, does that then show the *return* part too, so that on the return trip I will have all I need without having to repeat the process? Bottom line: Is going through a travel agent and getting an itinerary printed out from them going to save me any hassles and time? John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> John, all you need to do is have your ID with you along with you printed > intinerary that you have printed from your p/c. That is sufficient > enough to get through security when you have no bags to check. > On your return, you just do the same thing. You can get your boarding > passes at the gate and avoid the ticket counter all together. > Jim

Response:

> > With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper ticket. > The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you ask > for one. > Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to print > them on thermal paper. > Or just an e-mail.

If I make the reservation on the *phone* they will send an email (is this equivalent to the itinerary a travel agent gives you)? And you are saying this is good enough to get me through security checkpoint both ways? John

Response:

You never actually turn in your receipt, so you can use it both ways.  It doesn’t matter if you get it from the travel agent, if you print it out online, they  mail it to you, oar the airline faxes it to you.  Most airlines allow you to print one out from their website if you need to. I had a ticket issued through Orbitz that for some reason they could not get the ticket number and the itinerary on the same piece of paper, so I was able to just print a copy from the airline’s website. This is only an issue if you are not stopping at the check in counter and going directly to the gate.  At the check in counter all you need to know is where and when you are flying or your flight number and your name, they will give you a boarding pass to get to the gate. You don not have to give them a ticket or an itinerary, it will be in their system.   If you are not stopping at the check in counter, then you need the proper documentation to get to the gate, in most cases a receipt or an itinerary with a ticket number on it.. But, yes, your one piece of paper will show the return part, and no you will not save any time by using a travel agent, they will give exactly the same paper you can print out if you buy online.  If it makes you nervous doing it that way, when you check in you can ask they print you out a copy of the itinerary to use for the return flight.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > What is still confusing me is if this has to be done both ways? In > other words, if when leaving I go to the counter with my imaginary > e-ticket and am given something concrete on paper or whatever, does > that then show the *return* part too, so that on the return trip I > will have all I need without having to repeat the process? > Bottom line: Is going through a travel agent and getting an itinerary > printed out from them going to save me any hassles and time? > John

Response:

It is not sufficient at all airports, there are some that require you to obtain a boarding pass or a security pass printed from a counter only issuing them before getting through security.  It’s quicker then checking in at the front counter, but still required at a few places.  Newark was doing it a while ago, the last couple of times we’ve flown through they were not doing it anymore.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> John, all you need to do is have your ID with you along with you printed > intinerary that you have printed from your p/c. That is sufficient > enough to get through security when you have no bags to check. > On your return, you just do the same thing. You can get your boarding > passes at the gate and avoid the ticket counter all together. > Jim

Response:

which you presumably could print out … (just for clarification) which would work just as well

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper ticket. > The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you ask > for one. > Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to print > them on thermal paper. > Or just an e-mail.

Response:

> which you presumably could print out … (just for clarification) which > would work just as well

I normally do. And I do include a printout when filing my expenses claim too. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper > ticket. >>The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you > ask >>for one. >>Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to > print >>them on thermal paper. >Or just an e-mail.

Response:

John, all you need to do is have your ID with you along with you printed intinerary that you have printed from your p/c. That is sufficient enough to get through security when you have no bags to check. On your return, you just do the same thing. You can get your boarding passes at the gate and avoid the ticket counter all together. Jim

Response:

> With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper ticket. > The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you ask > for one. > Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to print > them on thermal paper.

Or just an e-mail.

Response:

With an eticket you will never actually receive a cardboard paper ticket. The only think you will receive is a boarding pass, and a receipt if you ask for one. Some airlines will print your receipt on cardboard; others choose to print them on thermal paper. If you check your bags at the curb you will need to present photo ID and your itinerary printout from your travel agent. If you do not have a printout you will need to go inside to check your bags.  You SHOULD be given your boarding passes both at the curb or at the ticket counter, although a few airlines may still only provide them at the gate.  You should not expect a long line at the gate though. If you get your boarding pass at the curb, all you have to do is go through security and wait until they call your flight.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your airline will have a recommended check in time before the flight for > your airport, check with them.  An hour is usually not enough anymore. > You will go to the counter, they will check you in and take your bag, it may > or may not be searched, then they will give you boarding passed, you head > over to security for a screening of you and your carry on, show your > boarding pass and ID a couple of times, maybe get picked for another > security check before boarding, and that’s it. > I too have not flown in a long time and am a little confused about > this. First, from what I have been told, I thought you could only get > a boarding pass at the gate, not the front counter as you said??? > The other thing is what is the definition of an "e ticket"? If I make > a reservation on the phone with the airline and arrive at the counter > to pick up my "ticket", will they give me the return part too or when > I am coming back will I again have to go to the counter (I DON’T have > any check in luggage) for the return "ticket." > Since I need wheelchair assistance I am trying to make things as easy > as possible. If I go to a travel agent, they will give a ticket for > both ways I assume (is the "cardboard" type tickets they give > considered an "e-ticket"?" The reason for paying for the travel agent > would be to have everything I need so I won’t have to go to the front > counter at either airport. > However, where I am leaving from is small enough that there probably > would not be much of a line at all to check in and get my "ticket." > However, I am returning from LAX and I definitely don’t want to have > that extra step there. So, to accomplish this do I have to go the > travel agent route, or if I call the airline directly will I receive > the roundtrip ticket part at the departure airport, so that I can use > that at LAX to go directly through security and to the gate, avoiding > the ticket counter? > John

Response:

Actually, for most domestic flights, most airlines have reverted back to 1 hour being enough.  Of course, during peak travel days such as holidays and days coinciding with school vacations, this time could drastically increase. <snip> > An hour is usually not enough anymore.

<snip>

Response:

I work at the ticket counter for American Airlines in Minneapolis/St Paul.  The computer system shuts off the ability to check someone in on a particular flight "30 minutes" prior to scheduled departure time. Depending on the time of day, 1 hour may or may not be enough time to make the flight when you’re checking bags. My advice is to arrive an hour and a half before your departure time. Jim

TA Sigs

Response:

> I have not flown in many years, but am flying from Ft. Lauderdale to > Dallas soon.  I have a ticketless, paid for reservation and one piece of > luggage to check, along with one carry on.  What is involved in getting > on the plane, like > how long will it take?   Do they  search the check in luggage, or me for > that matter.  If I get to the airport an hour ahead of flight time, is > that enough time?  Could you experienced air travelers elp me?

give yourself plenty of time if travelling on a Saturday AM (disembarking cruise pax cause congestion)

Response:

> Your airline will have a recommended check in time before the flight for > your airport, check with them.  An hour is usually not enough anymore. > You will go to the counter, they will check you in and take your bag, it may > or may not be searched, then they will give you boarding passed, you head > over to security for a screening of you and your carry on, show your > boarding pass and ID a couple of times, maybe get picked for another > security check before boarding, and that’s it.

I too have not flown in a long time and am a little confused about this. First, from what I have been told, I thought you could only get a boarding pass at the gate, not the front counter as you said??? The other thing is what is the definition of an "e ticket"? If I make a reservation on the phone with the airline and arrive at the counter to pick up my "ticket", will they give me the return part too or when I am coming back will I again have to go to the counter (I DON’T have any check in luggage) for the return "ticket." Since I need wheelchair assistance I am trying to make things as easy as possible. If I go to a travel agent, they will give a ticket for both ways I assume (is the "cardboard" type tickets they give considered an "e-ticket"?" The reason for paying for the travel agent would be to have everything I need so I won’t have to go to the front counter at either airport. However, where I am leaving from is small enough that there probably would not be much of a line at all to check in and get my "ticket." However, I am returning from LAX and I definitely don’t want to have that extra step there. So, to accomplish this do I have to go the travel agent route, or if I call the airline directly will I receive the roundtrip ticket part at the departure airport, so that I can use that at LAX to go directly through security and to the gate, avoiding the ticket counter? John

Response:

I have not flown in many years, but am flying from Ft. Lauderdale to Dallas soon.  I have a ticketless, paid for reservation and one piece of luggage to check, along with one carry on.  What is involved in getting on the plane, like how long will it take?   Do they  search the check in luggage, or me for that matter.  If I get to the airport an hour ahead of flight time, is that enough time?  Could you experienced air travelers elp me? Richard S.

Response:

Your airline will have a recommended check in time before the flight for your airport, check with them.  An hour is usually not enough anymore. You will go to the counter, they will check you in and take your bag, it may or may not be searched, then they will give you boarding passed, you head over to security for a screening of you and your carry on, show your boarding pass and ID a couple of times, maybe get picked for another security check before boarding, and that’s it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have not flown in many years, but am flying from Ft. Lauderdale to > Dallas soon.  I have a ticketless, paid for reservation and one piece of > luggage to check, along with one carry on.  What is involved in getting > on the plane, like > how long will it take?   Do they  search the check in luggage, or me for > that matter.  If I get to the airport an hour ahead of flight time, is > that enough time?  Could you experienced air travelers elp me? > Richard S.

Response:

CuckooCathy(Cat) Running Nekkid (CT) for… Two days, 16 hours, 45 minutes and 13 seconds. That’s 107 stinky cigarettes not choked, saving $21.58 to spend on cheese. Time saved to spend with my little boy: 8 hours, 55 minutes. 2004 is gonna rock!

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What would we do without you? <VBG>

Response:

> What would we do without you? <VBG>

That wasn’t bait…hehe…I really meant it…lol – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Here’s mine, I changed it up a little bit: I have not smoked a cancer stick in 2 days, 18 hours, 38 minutes and 2 seconds. That’s 69 coffin nails that my son has not watched me smoke, saving $15.62 of my hard-earned money in the piggy bank. I have an extra 5 hours, 45 minutes that I wouldn’t have had before to watch my kid grow up. Chris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CuckooCathy(Cat) > Running Nekkid (CT) for… > Two days, 16 hours, 45 minutes and 13 seconds. > That’s 107 stinky cigarettes not choked, > saving $21.58 to spend on cheese. > Time saved to spend with my little boy: 8 hours, 55 minutes. > 2004 is gonna rock!

Response:

Still here. Still smoke/nic free. It’s about 1.5 days (meter on work computer, not this one). Gary — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Alright you 2004 quitters – line up and report! >Maude – still crazy after all these years! >Two days, 17 hours, 38 minutes and 44 seconds without smoking. 109 >cigarettes not smoked, saving $21.88 to spend on dog agility. Life saved: 9 >hours, 5 minutes to watch my grandson grow up.  Breath saved to run with the >doggies – priceless.

Response:

Alright you 2004 quitters – line up and report! Maude – still crazy after all these years! Two days, 17 hours, 38 minutes and 44 seconds without smoking. 109 cigarettes not smoked, saving $21.88 to spend on dog agility. Life saved: 9 hours, 5 minutes to watch my grandson grow up. Breath saved to run with the doggies – priceless. Well I am two hours short of completing day three and still plugging away. I’m proud to say I’m a quitter. I might be a quitter, but I sure ain’t a loser. Merry

Response:

> That wasn’t bait…hehe…I really meant it…lol

I know.  Go with it if it will help you get through the tough spot.  We’re lucky – we’re women so we don’t have to be brave and macho.  Whatever gets you through the night.

Response:

> Cat, (if you want to…) try doing the NRT thang for a month or two, > then going CT off the NRT instead of off cigarettes.  Seemed to help > me some anyway, cuz I’m not really craving cigarettes so much as… > I’ve had more "nonspecific" cravings because I didn’t use the NRT for > long enough to develop a lot of mental associations with craves… or > something like that.  Maybe that would work for ya.

THANK YOU!!!!!! Finally, yer gettin it!  I knew you would, Tim!  :-) BTW, I’m still CT!  hehe! Cat

Response:

WhooooHooooo Merry…We are doing this!!!!! Hugs, Cat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Alright you 2004 quitters – line up and report! > Maude – still crazy after all these years! Two days, 17 hours, 38 > minutes and 44 seconds without smoking. 109 cigarettes not smoked, > saving $21.88 to spend on dog agility. Life saved: 9 hours, 5 minutes to > watch my grandson grow up. Breath saved to run with the doggies – > priceless. > Well I am two hours short of completing day three and still plugging > away. I’m proud to say I’m a quitter. I might be a quitter, but I sure > ain’t a loser. > Merry

Response:

> (I > think I’m losing my mind – have you seen it?) > Maude

Check your backup disks — mc I haven’t lost my mind, Its backed up on disk somewhere! 1Y

Response:

>> Really proud of all you 2004 quitters. WTG!! >Thanks Nicole!  I’m going to make it this time.  I’m hoping to drag the rest >of the smoke-no-more in 2004 group with me.  You VILL not smoke! >(I think I’m losing my mind – have you seen it?)

Nope. But if you find it, please let me know if it’s seen mine. Nicole Two years, ten months, three weeks, six days, 21 hours, 21 minutes and 6 seconds. 37131 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,609.34. Time I can spend with my little one that I wouldn’t have if I were smoking: 18 weeks, 2 days, 22 hours, 15 minutes.

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20 hours I’m in love with my patch

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> 20 hours > I’m in love with my patch

Pat it sometimes to let it know it’s appreciated! Well done on 20 hours Gita, nearly first day done! So good to see you back! Paula

Response:

> Here’s mine, I changed it up a little bit: > I have not smoked a cancer stick in 2 days, 18 hours, 38 minutes and 2 > seconds. That’s 69 coffin nails that my son has not watched me smoke, saving > $15.62 of my hard-earned money in the piggy bank. I have an extra 5 hours, > 45 minutes that I wouldn’t have had before to watch my kid grow up. > Chris

Nice meter there Chris! Your son’s gonna learn a lot from you… Make it good lessons! Keep it going! Paula

Response:

3 days 7 hours 28m  saved