Dumb question about boarding passes

[DisMN]

I've always printed out our boarding passes ahead of time but for the life of me can't figure out what it eliminates, timewise or hassle. Even with our boarding passes we end up waiting in those longggg slowwwww lines at the checkin desks for whatever airline we're flying on.

What am I missing in this scenario?

 

[jdlutz]

If you checked in online there is no need to stand in a line to checkin at the airport. Simply wait for the flight to board at the gate and board when your row or section is called, handing your boarding pass to the gate agent as you walk down the jetway.

If you have luggage to check, try avoiding the long lines by checking them curbside (if available) or possibly shipping them ahead of time if time allows. This will avoid all lines except for the line of people that may standing at the security entrance to the gates of the airport.

 

[ducklite]

When you check bags curbside they can also print boarding passes.

Unless you are flying with only carry-on, or flying on a carrier like SW who determine seating by check-in time, Printing BP's in advance really doesn't save time.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

It doesn't really save any time. It is nice if you are trying to change your seat because several airlines only let you change it when you check in.

 

[DVC Grammy]

IMO, printing BPs at home is only a necessity if you fly SWA. In that case, printing one as early as possible within the 24-hour window makes all the difference as to where you're seated. On any airline that has assigned seating, I've never understood the need.

 

[FlyingBelle]

United has started a new online bag-check counter at several of their airports. I've done it at O'Hare and it's awesome!

If you check in online, it will print out instructions on where to go - it's way to the left of the regular check-in lines and it's really quick. Definitely worth it.

Plus, some airlines offer bonus miles if you check in online.

 

[daisax]

One advantage of printing them out early is that if they won't let you, you're tipped off that there's a problem with somebody in your party being on some kind of list, as happened to us on our trip in November.

They wouldn't tell us who, but I assume it's my 12 year old nephew (they asked us questions about him in our home city on the way down before they'd give us boarding passes). Then, on the way back, we couldn't check our luggage through at the hotel, because the Disney people couldn't print out the boarding passes for us and had to tell us to check in personally at the airport. At MCO they told us that "somebody in our party" had the same name as somebody on the "watch" list, but they couldn't tell us who, even though the people in our home airport had focused in on my nephew right away, asking for his birthdate, etc.

At any rate, on our return flight we got seriously delayed as they made their phone calls or whatever they had to do (and since our two adults were females and the person we assume was in question was a 12 year old boy, I imagine an ADULT with a problem name might be delayed significantly longer) it might help to know ahead of time and leave more time so you don't miss your flight.

For what it's worth, the boy's name is a perfectly common Irish name, so don't assume your ethnicity rules you out from suspicion.

 

[snowy76]

For what it's worth, the boy's name is a perfectly common Irish name, so don't assume your ethnicity rules you out from suspicion.

So that's our secret IRA connection! Good Friday Peace my auntie...

 

[snels]

DisMn
Thanks for asking the question. I was also curious about time saved.

We always have waited until we get to the airport to get our boarding passes. Usually we fly out of a small airport. Curbside service isn't available.
Our seats are assigned ahead of time. Unless the airlines start having lines dedicated to people with boarding passes in hand, I don't think it will save any time.

 

[DisMN]

DisMn
Thanks for asking the question. I was also curious about time saved.

We always have waited until we get to the airport to get our boarding passes. Usually we fly out of a small airport. Curbside service isn't available.
Our seats are assigned ahead of time. Unless the airlines start having lines dedicated to people with boarding passes in hand, I don't think it will save any time.

I hear ya. We try to fly out of Duluth when we can (small airport) but this trip we just weren't able to get cheap enough flights to justify it.
As far as everyone has suggested, I think I'll take *print the boarding passes* off my to-do list. I'm just never sure what paperwork to bring with me these days.........sure is hard to figure out sometimes.

 

[Rhonda]

When we fly Northwest out of Mpls/St. Paul, it's so nice to have the boarding passes printed already! We just check our luggage curbside, and walk right on in! And, it's nice to pick our seats 24 hours ahead of time too!

 

[Yzerbear19]

When we fly Northwest out of Mpls/St. Paul, it's so nice to have the boarding passes printed already! We just check our luggage curbside, and walk right on in! And, it's nice to pick our seats 24 hours ahead of time too!

We do the same thing at Detroit. Very nice. Plus you can earn extra WorldPerk miles by checking online with some of their promotions.

 

[DebbieB]

When we fly Northwest out of Mpls/St. Paul, it's so nice to have the boarding passes printed already! We just check our luggage curbside, and walk right on in! And, it's nice to pick our seats 24 hours ahead of time too!

You can still check in your luggage curbside without boarding passes already printed, they will be printed by the kiosk or the skycap. The advantage at MSP if you want to check luggage inside is they have a separate line for those with internet boarding passes for Northwest, there is usually no line and it's right next to security.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know JetBlue does (or did recently) give two TrueBlue credits if you check in online.

 

[iluvflorida8]

I only fly Southwest with carry-on only, so I always print my boarding passes 24 hrs in advance and have never gotten a "B" boarding pass in the last 18 months. I walk right to security as soon as I get dropped off.....

Usually at Pittsburgh airport I am at my gate 5-10 minutes after arriving at the airport. Even at MCO since I always travel mid week,mid afternoon I am also at my gate with-in 10-15 minutes max, after arriving at the airport.So yes printing my boarding passes ahead of time saves me a lot of time.