Originally Posted by
serfty
My wife and I were on a joint LONE4 (AA issued). Flying -LAX-xORD-FCO- as part of a this, somehow our booking became split and my ticket number changed.
Before leaving Rome, I noticed a new PNR for me and thought it rather strange. I did not worry too much though, merely making sure I had recorded the new PNR.
Checking in to go to MAD with IB a few mornings later at FCO became problematic as they could not find my ticket number. My wife's booking was fine but mine was nowhere to be 'seen' by their systems. I had no internet access or other method of finding it. It was over an hour later before they were able to find it (the agent called AA in the other terminal [who had just 'opened'] ans was able to obtain the 001- number).
So, yes - PNR's are good, Ticket numbers are even better. (And again, it was a good thing we arrived at the airport early.)
I miss paper tickets. E-tickets are ephemeral - heading for the airport, I never say "do we have our e-tickets?" I certainly don't say "has everyone logged in this morning to see if their e-tickets are still valid?" Because of e-tickets I can't have open segments on xONE trips. Because of e-tickets I can only have 16 segments (on Visit-South-America passes, among other things, tho xONEx has codified that for all media). Because of e-tickets I don't have to keep my paper tickets in the hotel safe. Oh, joy, only a fool would steal a ticket with my name written all over it.
The airlines love e-tickets because it saves them money in production and delivery. They lied about the benefits to the traveler, methinks.