E-Ticketing – Not Quite Paperless Travel
Carry Passenger Receipt When Flying or Cruising to Avoid Hassle
The Signal - Business Section, September, 2006
Kiosks have spoiled us. Not so long ago, the computerized self check-in kiosk was considered a state-of-the-art advancement for air travelers. Providing a convenience never before offered at the airport, these people-less kiosks have come to allow us access to our electronic airline ticket and the ability to print a boarding pass before heading to the gate for departure. No hassles standing in line; no problems passing through security.
But wait, there’s a catch. What happens if there is no kiosk, no self check-in and no printed boarding pass? Even with a confirmed e-ticket reservation and your name in the airline system, without proof – in the form of a ticket receipt or boarding pass – you may not be able to get as far as the check-in counter. Period.
Traveling without a traditional airline ticket is liberating, but e-ticketing still does not mean we can proceed to check-in virtually empty handed. As much we’d like it to be true, ours has yet to become a paperless society. We’re still in the process of getting there.
The airlines have had the ticket-less travel concept in play for several years now, and still need to work out the kinks. One could argue that the no-receipt, no access to a check-in counter is a safety precaution that is in place for the greater good of all. Possibly, but it still defeats the purpose of having an e-ticket.
Most domestic air carriers offer self check-in computers when you walk into the airport, so commuting to San Diego, Portland or New York City is no sweat, and requires carrying no extra paper. But take this same traveler on the go internationally, and everything changes. From carrier to carrier, there is little consistency to know which airlines have check-in kiosks and which do not. This is where e-ticketing can become a risky guessing game. Sure your name is in the computer on the passenger list as having a ticket, but when you are prohibited from getting through to the check-in counter, this does little good.
The cruise industry has only recently ventured into the great realm of electronic accessibility for ticketing. Princess Cruises was the first to lead the way, offering passengers the convenience of receiving documents electronically and printing them out at home before leaving for the dock. Hopefully they will have a Plan B in the event a passenger forgets to print out the ticket in advance, or does not have or use a computer. Considering the demographic of the traditional cruise passenger, many of these people may be uncomfortable finding all of their documentation online, even if there is a computer in the house.
The solution for today’s traveler is simple. Always carry a print-out of your ticket receipt, just as if it were the real thing. Whenever and wherever you travel, make this your standard practice. The few short minutes you take to point, click and print can ultimately save time, miscommunication and aggravation later. No one wants to start a vacation stressing over an e-ticket paperless situation.
I’m all about technological advancements, using the Internet and modern-day conveniences as they relate to travel. I believe in self check-in kiosks and e-tickets. But when I’m going on vacation, I have learned the hard way to still carry my paper ticket receipt.
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
