I completely agree with the OP. Especially with auto-check in nonsense for the return flight. If I'm not in and out the same day, who can know what will happen before the return flight. And now that there is no option on the website to cancel check in, it becomes a pain - a couple of weeks ago, it took 3 calls to web support and an hour and a half of my time to cancel my check in for a flight I couldn't take. With PMUA, you could do this easily online. If you need to ake changes, etc. on the phone, I have always been under the impression you can't be checked in.
Originally Posted by
DCBob
The airline has to pay to transport the person back. In theory, this should NEVER happen unless the passenger has a forged passport or visa, because the airline isn't going to let you get on the flight without checking your documents. Also, the passenger more than likely has a R/T ticket so he has already "paid" his way back.
Saying this should "never" happen is an overstatement - a valid passport and visa does not guarantee entry to a country. For example, some countries will deny entry with a valid passport if it is not valid beyond X (typically 6) months (though I suppose UA should know this beforehand). Most countries that I have seen stipulate that a valid visa does not guarantee entry to a country. A passenger can have the wrong type of visa, be carrying equipment that the arrival country won't allow in, etc.