US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Self-checkin kiosk query

Next week I'll be taking my first trip out of PIT since they installed the E*Ticket kiosks. Does anyone know offhand if using these will increase one's chance of being "randomly" selected for a carry-on hand check?

--Greg, who tries very hard to keep things simple...

I haven't been selected after using the Kiosk.

It appears the best ways to avoid not being "randomly" selected are 1) do not be one of the first three people to get on the plane, and 2) don't appear disheveled, overburdened with carry-ons and knicknacks, or otherwise additionally incovenienced by these ridiculous searches.

If you do not want to be "deliberately" selected (i.e., stamped with an 'S' right on the ticket), don't pay cash for a ticket, make sure to check at least one bag, and buy round trip tickets. Since the kiosk works only with a credit card purchase, you can scratch at least one of these off your list.

I, too, have used the kiosk several times and thus far have avoided the "random" searches by following my rules above.

Also, be sure the fuse on your sneaker isn't dangling....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bravo Papa:
I, too, have used the kiosk several times and thus far have avoided the "random" searches by following my rules above.</font>

If you are using a kiosk machine, and you are 'randomly' selected, the machine will issue you a 'See the Agent' pass. One other item, if you have upgraded, the machine will not recognize your reservation, and will not process the check-in. But there 'should' be an agent nearby to help finish the check-in process without having to get back in line. Good luck.

Thanks for the info.


I was just wondering if using the kiosk INCREASED the chance of being selected -- after all, you're not being subjected to the oh-so-helpful questioning by a ticket agent at the counter ("Have these bags been in your possession the whole time?" "No, Ma'am, the cabbie handed them to me at one point")

The kiosks ask you those questions -- you must confirm the answers by touching a button before it will finalize a ticket.

Presumably, USAirways has installed heat-sensitive cameras that can sense by subtle changes in the heat around your eyes that you are lying when you say that your bags have been in control at all times. So, by all means make sure you understand that even though you couldn't SEE your bags when they were in the trunk of your car, they were indeed within your control. Good luck.