I would've suggested that me boarding first with absolute proof of my identity shown, is more secure than me boarding last, and finding that someone on board already used it. (if they're really actually concerned about circumventing someone else using my lost BP) Wouldn't the scofflaw be caught when the reader terminal beeped an error after I had already boarded? Eh, minor points.
Originally Posted by
Kmxu
I could board with your boarding pass with my passport half open while giving the boarding pass to a gate agent to scan. They do not really check your passport at all once you pass the scanner. They may check your boarding pass again just before you board the plane. I notice that they do not do the head count on the plane when the boarding is complete. So, I could easily find an empty seat in regular economy section without being noticed. I did not do this myself. But I imagine that this can be done unless UA does head count on the widebody aircraft.
Happy travel.