ATA Online Check-in WARNING

[inkkognito]

Hubby and I do quite a few quickie trips to Orlando on ATA, and we love the new web check-in that you do from home before leaving for the airport. But twice now we've run into a problem that I would like to share.
Both times, we had both checked in and printed our boarding passes. We chose the row we always choose, which is an exit row with only two seats. Both times, we discovered that one of us was NOT checked in, and they had given one of the seats to someone else! As far as I was concerned, I wasn't moving because I checked in literally as soon as the web check-in was opened for our flights, and the other people had been assigned the seat at the airport. But both times, they said they would have forced one of us to move if we had not been together. A flight attendant told us this is a very common problem they've been running into lately. Even though you havwe a printed out boarding pass and "successfully checked in" message, it doesn't mean a thing.
Just wanted to share this!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Gary M]

Thanks for the information. DW and I fly on ATA often from Indy.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Is ATA AirTran Airlways? Because my DH and I are flying AirTran out of Pittsburg and if we get seperated because of that problem, the person sitting next to me will be in big trouble. I'm a "white knuckle" flyer and latch on to my seat mate as soon as they start pushing the plane backwards. Wouldn't want to wish that on anyone else. As it is, it takes a while for the circulation to start in his hand once we land

Would it be better to wait and do this at the airport?

 

[tinaluis]

AirTran and ATA are different carriers.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Originally posted by tinaluis
AirTran and ATA are different carriers.

Thank you tinaluis. I'm glad to hear that.

 

[inkkognito]

ATA actually stands for American Trans Air. They've been around for quite a while...they started out as a charter airline and then went mainstream a while back. A lot of people get them mixed up. Not long ago, we were in Orlando watching a news story about Air Tran, but the logo on the screen was ATA's! (Don't worry, it was a positive news story about how well they are doing.)
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[ncligs]

Thanks for the "heads up' about ATA....we always print our boarding passes from home when we fly Continental(30 hrs before) and US AIR(24 hrs)..........it is very convenient and we always do it at the earliest possible time, to get exit row seats(more leg room). We also always do carry-on only, so this is perfect for us.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Originally posted by inkkognito
Not long ago, we were in Orlando watching a news story about Air Tran, but the logo on the screen was ATA's! (Don't worry, it was a positive news story about how well they are doing.)

Thanks Barb. That's good to know. We've never flown Air Tran before so all the positive reviews I've read are very reassuring.

 

[golfknut]

When I bought our tickets in July for our ATA flight (thru ATA's website) in Nov., I picked our actual seats on-line when I bought the tickets. Are you saying that I am not guarenteed these seats that I chose? That the seats aren't actually assigned until boarding passes are given out?

 

[safetymom]

golfknut, your seats could be changed until you fly. Most times there aren't any problems but some times things happen and seats need to be changed. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[LvsTnk]

Thanks for the info just flew them last week but I always do curbside. Think I will stick with that for sure now.

golfknut, I always pick my seats on line and haven't had them changed yet.

 

[inkkognito]

Golfnut, we're never had any problems when we've picked seats and then checked in at the airport. Our problem was only with the web check in (and during the check-in process, we changed to exit rows because you can only do that via the checkin, not when booking your ressie). If you choose seats while making your reservation, they will not be taken away, barring some really unusual circumstance like a change in aircraft with a different seating configuration.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mcnuss]

Thanks for the info just flew them last week but I always do curbside. Think I will stick with that for sure now.

With web check-in, you can still check your bags curbside. You just show them your printed boarding pass and away you go. It's quite convenient.

Safetymom, I ran into a problem with web check-in on US last week. DD was upgraded on my CP status, and while I could check myself in, it would not let me check her in bc the system thought I needed a certificate. It was very frustrating to me that they cannot program their system to understand their own upgrade procedures!

 

[safetymom]

McNuss, the US Airways web site needs a major overhaul. I got numerous errors last week when I was trying to book 3 different trips. I finally gave up and went to Orbitz.

I usually use the kiosk or counter since there usually isn't a line. But they really need to do something about the website.

I sent them an email several weeks ago about their use or lose it policy and got a phone call the next day from customer relations. Hopefully they will listen when everyone complains about the web site.

I also had a problem with upgrades but it was human error. They fixed it and gave me some extra upgrades. I was happy.

 

[mcnuss]

I had trouble with the site last week, too. But on the other hand, I got a fare of $91 r/t BOS-PHL so who am I to complain?!

The US site is the absolute worst of all the majors. They should be embarrassed to be so technologically behind. I use the kiosks a lot and they drive me nuts too. I take the Shuttle to DCA and LGA almost weekly, and half the time the kiosk does not find my ressie. I also wish you could change a flt on the kiosk like you can on United. If I have a full fare ticket, then the computer should know that and allow me to make my change. ERGGG.

 

[safetymom]

If US didn't have the best front line employees I would be looking for another airline. They are always very helpful.

 

[mcnuss]

Ditto for me. Well, that and the Shuttle. Nothing touches it for convenience in and out of DC and NYC. I even drive 45 miles to BOS when I live 6 miles from MHT just to get the Shuttle. Everytime I take the CRJs to or from MHT, I regret it bc the schedule is so limited, and it's the same darned (outrageous!) price.

I guess from your previous link to US Cockroach that you're a Flyertalker, too! I post as MHTFlyer over there, but not too often.

 

[safetymom]

Can you guess what my name might be on FT? I made it easy for myself to remember. I just ordered some Cockroach luggage tags to go along with my pin.

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by mcnuss
With web check-in, you can still check your bags curbside. You just show them your printed boarding pass and away you go. It's quite convenient.

Safetymom, I ran into a problem with web check-in on US last week. DD was upgraded on my CP status, and while I could check myself in, it would not let me check her in bc the system thought I needed a certificate. It was very frustrating to me that they cannot program their system to understand their own upgrade procedures!

Why waste the time if the seats get screwed up. It takes so little time to do cubside anyway.