Lost ticket question

[Luv2Roam]

I am watching Airline too much today between cleaning.
On a few shows Southwest has had passengers who have lost their tickets. One passenger had just purchased it around 20 minutes prior to losing it. (One reason I always liked e-tickets. One less thing to keep track of.)
Southwest has not allowed the passenger to board without buying another ticket.
The SW employees said the passengers could get a refund if they found the unused ticket.
Seems like if any airline has sold tickets to Passenger X for a specific flight, it would be easy to check or mark that the purchased ticket had or had not been used. Especially when that passenger is there and the flight is the next one departing.

Comments?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

It is the rule, you have a paper ticket, you need to produce said paper ticket. When you have one, all the rules are on it, pretty hard to say you were not informed.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I understand it is a rule.
But why?
Seems like if any airline has sold tickets to Passenger X for a specific flight, it would be easy to check or mark that the purchased ticket had or had not been used. Especially when that passenger is there and the flight is the next one departing.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Luv2Roam
I understand it is a rule.
But why?
Seems like if any airline has sold tickets to Passenger X for a specific flight, it would be easy to check or mark that the purchased ticket had or had not been used. Especially when that passenger is there and the flight is the next one departing.

Got me, but, that is the rule for most airlines.

 

[safetymom]

It may or may not be right but it is the rule. That is what is great about e tickets. Nothing to lose so you wouldn't have to buy another ticket.

I know when I am forced these days to get a paper ticket I am uncomfortable. What if I do lose it? With an e ticket I don't have to worry.