Originally Posted by
aristoph
b) develop tech like AA app so you can verify your passport online; or c) at least do the checks at the gate for those who don’t have a physical BP.
The BA app has had passport verification for a while now. I don't believe this was your issue - TSA doesn't care about passport verification with the airline anyway - this is more due to something wrong with BA mobile BP's specifically.
Originally Posted by
Schwann
I can never quite understand the inconsistency with BP checks at TSA checkpoints in the US. At some airports all you need is your ID or passport, other airports require the ID and boarding pass.
All the major US airports should have the new CAT computers which don't require a boarding pass, as they can pull up your flight information from simply scanning your ID. However it's not at all unheard of for these to go down in which case they have to revert to the "old way" of scanning boarding pass and manually checking against ID. I believe this would also be required if you were at a checkpoint that was using the new facial recognition system and you opted out of that.
In the busier airports is often still a "guard" (airport employee, not TSA) at the very beginning of the checkpoint entrance who may check your BP and direct you to the proper queue. However this is just a quick glance, they don't scan it or anything.