Printing boarding passes

[Sandy Feet]

Ok, I've printed out all the boarding passes, now I'm not sure what to do next. Each full size page has a boarding pass, one copy for the airline and one copy for the passenger. Am I supposed to give the airline the whole page when we check in? Sorry if I sound like an idiot but I've never done this before. Thanks for your help.

 

[maraakl]

You keep the one for the passenger and hand the one for the airlines to the attendant at the gate when you are boarding. Cut them in half. Or whatever you have to do to have one for yourself and one for the airline.
You don't sound anything like an idiot, if you have not done it before, how are you supposed to know?

 

[Jestocost]

There's really no need for you to cut the two parts of the passes apart. That just gives you twice as many pieces of paper to keep track of, IMHO. Frequently, they just scan the bar code at the gate and give you back both halves anyway. Every once in a while they'll tear one half off to keep at the gate.

You'll need the boarding pass to clear security and at the gate to board the plane. If you're checking luggage, you also may need to present them to the skycap or at the check-in desk if you're checking luggage.

 

[Sandy Feet]

Thanks maraakl. I was a bit suprised the website had no instructions other than the "print" button. I'll cut them in half and then staple the halves back together like the old-fashioned way!

 

[LtlTee]

I was just going to post a question regarding this same thing, so I hope you don't mind if I hijack the thread a bit!

If I print out boarding passes and have the skycap check my bags, I can proceed right to security and up to the gate, correct?

If there is no curbside check-in (such as with some Spirit flights), what is the advantage to preprinting a boarding pass? I still have to wait in line to check my luggage, right?

If I do preprint boarding passes and do curbside check-in, is it still necessary to arrive 2 hours early? I know that is recommended to allow time to get through security. We have a 7 AM flight out of Philadelphia, so we're trying to figure out what time to arrive at the airport. We usually fly Spirit out of AC, and typically we're through security in a matter of minutes.

Thanks!

 

[CarolA]

If you have to check luggage there normally is NO benefit to printing boarding passes. (An exception can be made for SW where you don't have a seat assignement)

If you have to check luggage the skycap can print a boarding pass. If there is no skycap, you will have to stand in line inside.

 

[inkkognito]

There can be a benefit, even if you are checking your luggage, depending on the airline and your party make-up. My husband and I fly ATA and like certain exit rows, but those are not pre-assigned. Rather than having to get to the airport early, we simply check in online. ATA allows you to switch your seats (including moving to an exit row) when you do the online check-in. Even if you're not going for an exit, if your party is scattered or unhappy with their seats, this allows you to mak a change. Technically you are not supposed to do it if you are checking luggage, but they don't slap you around for doing it on ATA.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

You should keep your copy with you because otherwise you won't know what your seat assignments are. This can avoid confusion on the plane.

Also be sure to board at the right gate, listen to the announcements. I was on a flight the other day when someone came rushing up the aisle. She was on the wrong flight. We had to pull back up to the gate, get the jetway back to the plane for her to get off because she hadn't listened that her flight had moved to the next gate.

You can save time by printing your boarding pass and still use curbside check in.

 

[LtlTee]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Sandy Feet]

Great info. Thanks.

 

[lkohawaii]

If I don't have a lap top is there a way I can print a boarding pass. Do many of the hotels offer a computer I can check in on? Are all of you guys checking in on your own lap tops? I know I can do it on my way from home...but I'm wondering about how to do it on my way back home.

Hey Barb..the cruise expert can I use a computer on the Magic. I'm going on the L.A. cruise next summer.

 

[inkkognito]

Hotel business centers are a great option, and there are places like Pak Mail that also offer internet services.

Unfortunately, you can't use your laptop for internet access on the ships. You have to use the internet cafe.

Barb

 

[lkohawaii]

Barb,
Is it worth using the internet Cafe on the ship to print boarding passes? Is the cafe even open the morning of diembarkment?

 

[Hockeychic]

Sandyfeet,

I noticed on your trip counter you don't leave for another day but you have already printed your boarding passes, I thought it could only be done after midnight on the day you are leaving.

When where you able to print them. The reason I ask is that I am spending the night in a hotel near the airport before we leave and will be unable to print them offf after midnight but would I be able to print them off say 24 hours early, my flight leaves at 8:30 AM and would last have access to computer around 3:30PM?? the Day before....what do you think??? Anyone been able to print off 24 hours ahead???

Thanks

 

[lawgs]

hockeychic

it might be that sandy feet is not using SWA ( which will allow us all to print boarding passes at 12:01 am local time ), other airlines may have different rules for printing boarding passes

 

[LtlTee]

US Air will allow you to print boarding passes 24 hours in advance up to 90 minutes before your scheduled flight.

 

[beccasmom]

There is a huge bonus, in my opinion, with printing boarding passes (or using the airport kiosk) as far as USAirways is concerned. The lines here in Philly are often horrendously long and the same holds true in Orlando at certain times of the day. I've witnessed more than one person missing a flight in Philly....it's always good to have a second option available.

 

[bg4]

hmmmmmmm.

SWA on-line boarding pass is not in the format mentioned by sandy feet. SWA uses one BP on a page. You should make two copies. Even then, there is no need to keep a copy as there is no seat assignments. In terms of WN this is a n0-brainer.

 

[macraven]

Originally posted by LtlTee
I was just going to post a question regarding this same thing, so I hope you don't mind if I hijack the thread a bit!

If I print out boarding passes and have the skycap check my bags, I can proceed right to security and up to the gate, correct?

If there is no curbside check-in (such as with some Spirit flights), what is the advantage to preprinting a boarding pass? I still have to wait in line to check my luggage, right?

If I do preprint boarding passes and do curbside check-in, is it still necessary to arrive 2 hours early? I know that is recommended to allow time to get through security. We have a 7 AM flight out of Philadelphia, so we're trying to figure out what time to arrive at the airport. We usually fly Spirit out of AC, and typically we're through security in a matter of minutes.

Thanks!

let me add that i use spirit and booked my oct flight back in the spring.
i called spirit about printing the boarding passes. it can be printed out 45 days and up to 12 hours prior to your departing flight.

yes, you still have to check in your luggage at the counter but if you prepriinted your boarding pass, those seats belong to you.

the spirit rep told me once i print the boarding pass, no one else can be assigned to my seat. no way will i be switched. spirit only allows preassignment of seats for 40% of the flight. the first 5-6 rows are not assigned until the day of departure at the counter. if no disabled, families with small children, etc check in on that flight, those prized seats are up for grabs for people getting seat assignments when they check their luggage.

i always pick my seats in advance and print out the boarding pass prior. those that do not have preassigned seats could be moved away from their traveling companions .