Why do we need to check in?

Now that Easyjet has dropped weight imits on carry-ons (but imposed a
limit that you have to be able to carry it on yourself and srtow it
yourself in the overhead locker, which is effectively somewhere around
15 to 20 kg max, whx do we need checkin at all for anyone not wanting to
check large baggage into the hold?

By booking on-line you have demonstrated that someone using that name
and credit card is flying. Nothing that happens at the checkin counter
changes that.

There is no seat allocation to deal with, although I don't see whay
Stelios and O'leary couldn't introduce the kind of on-line seat
allocation that happens with some US low-cost airlines.

Carry-on luggage is scanned on the way to the gate.

Pax are seen and scrutinised at the security and passport checks. boarding.

So what magic happens at the check-in desk that makes the experience
better for the company, the pax or overall security and efficiency?

Philip

On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 23:49:08 +0200, philip
<philip_crookes.uk> wrote:

>Now that Easyjet has dropped weight imits on carry-ons (but imposed a
>limit that you have to be able to carry it on yourself and srtow it
>yourself in the overhead locker, which is effectively somewhere around
>15 to 20 kg max, whx do we need checkin at all for anyone not wanting to
>check large baggage into the hold?
>
>By booking on-line you have demonstrated that someone using that name
>and credit card is flying. Nothing that happens at the checkin counter
>changes that.
>
>There is no seat allocation to deal with, although I don't see whay
>Stelios and O'leary couldn't introduce the kind of on-line seat
>allocation that happens with some US low-cost airlines.
>

And bmibaby, and basiqair!


>Carry-on luggage is scanned on the way to the gate.
>
>Pax are seen and scrutinised at the security and passport checks. boarding.
>
>So what magic happens at the check-in desk that makes the experience
>better for the company, the pax or overall security and efficiency?
>

I'm guessing here, but at some stage they need to know who has
actually turned up at the airport, and will be flying, so as to
compile the passenger manifest. With their fast turnaround times, only
discovering at the boarding gate who has turned up may be too late for
them.


>Philip

--==++AJC++==--

"AJC" <ajc@wxs.nl> wrote in message
news:sb8cf0pfh46421e0v1nr12nmhr3ajoq76f@...
> On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 23:49:08 +0200, philip
> <philip_crookes.uk> wrote:
>
> >Now that Easyjet has dropped weight imits on carry-ons (but imposed a
> >limit that you have to be able to carry it on yourself and srtow it
> >yourself in the overhead locker, which is effectively somewhere around
> >15 to 20 kg max, whx do we need checkin at all for anyone not wanting to
> >check large baggage into the hold?
> >

To get a boarding card that is the 'ticket' to let you past security and
onto the plane.

> >By booking on-line you have demonstrated that someone using that name
> >and credit card is flying. Nothing that happens at the checkin counter
> >changes that.
> >

Hmm no - it is possible to book a seat with several airlines for someone
else, using your credit card.

> >There is no seat allocation to deal with, although I don't see whay
> >Stelios and O'leary couldn't introduce the kind of on-line seat
> >allocation that happens with some US low-cost airlines.
> >
>
> And bmibaby, and basiqair!
>
>
>
>
> >Carry-on luggage is scanned on the way to the gate.
> >
> >Pax are seen and scrutinised at the security and passport checks.
boarding.
> >
> >So what magic happens at the check-in desk that makes the experience
> >better for the company, the pax or overall security and efficiency?
> >
>
>
> I'm guessing here, but at some stage they need to know who has
> actually turned up at the airport, and will be flying, so as to
> compile the passenger manifest. With their fast turnaround times, only
> discovering at the boarding gate who has turned up may be too late for
> them.
>

But that doesn't seem to be a problem for some US airlines (and I believe BA
in some places) who let you print your boarding card at home, or in the
office.

"Highflier" <Howdedode@m> wrote in message
news:tmldf0tcq5e2p63ik6e6dujvaijuvo2acg@...
> On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 23:49:08 +0200, philip
> <philip_crookes.uk> wrote:
>
> >Now that Easyjet has dropped weight imits on carry-ons (but imposed a
> >limit that you have to be able to carry it on yourself and srtow it
> >yourself in the overhead locker, which is effectively somewhere around
> >15 to 20 kg max, whx do we need checkin at all for anyone not wanting to
> >check large baggage into the hold?
>
> What happens when everyone doesn't check a bag in and there's no space
> in the overhead lockers for all the bags, what happens then ?
> Especially as they work on such short turnarounds.
>

Same as happens in the USA on full flights, you wander up and down the aisle
trying to find some space to squeeze it in, then eventually give up and put
it under the seat in front of you and have no room for your legs.

Although it is interesting to note that overhead lockers seem to be a
different shape in the USA they are often deeper and have notices showing
which way to put your bags in for maximum efficiency.

It is IME fairly rare not to find somewhere to put your hand luggage, unless
you are one of the last 10 people on a full plane.

In message <313030303137363640F7A1B581@operamail.com>, Air
<magwaus@operamail.com> writes
>My DH flew out of LAX at the end of April, and managed to get through
>security with a boarding card in the wrong name!
[...]
> So much
>for 'security' checking names to passports.

When I flew to the UK recently through a very well known major USA
airport, no-one on security, or at the gate, was checking IDs; at all.
--
Roland Perry