Not sure where to post this, but I believe this question arises from the use of new technology:

Is there a difference between checking in and printing a boarding pass?

In the past, both were the same given there was no online check in (OLCI). Now, it seems most airlines offer OLCI up to 24 hrs in advance. So if you have an early flight the next morning, you can OLCI and have your boarding pass emailed. Done. Easy.

However, I hate pulling out my portable device while also trying to juggle my bag and prep to move through security quickly. This is just asking for a collision with the floor. In the US you only have to show your boarding pass once, but in Canada it seems customary to visit your boarding pass once to enter the line, and again while going through security (unless Nexus bypass is open). And honestly, I just hate using my phone for this kind of stuff. And let's face it, it's can be cool to have a huge stack of boarding passes each year... admit it, you collect them too! Even more so if you're an infrequent traveller and consider it a souvenir.

So, I always like to ask for a paper pass. The agents are able to produce stiff cardboard passes, whereas some machines are ecofriendly and produce passes that fade fast. So a human is who I usually visit to ask for a pass reprint, which is how I phrase the request: "pass reprint", not "check in".

None of this is that exciting, except in one situation which happens often for frequent travellers: Asking for a "pass reprint" past the flight close.

Prompt for this post? Today, I was told that I had to be at the gate before the cutoff for check-in. But I think he was just trying to remind me not to ask for exceptions, and honestly, I do not expect a legal professional to be working the counter. I'd say this happens 15% of the time with Air Canada agents (as in, past check-in cutoff), 100% denial with US Air, and about 40% with United.

So when I ask an agent for a reprint, am I asking for a reprint, or is it identical to asking for a check-in?

All of this assumes no checked in bags, of course... physical cutoffs are very reasonable to enforce in this case. Decreasing bag-check-in-to-plane times increases risk of security slips, crew injury, etc... lest your bag gets treated like a rugby ball. =)