Originally Posted by
Cosmos M
So a while back, I decided to experiment with a OLCI boarding pass. I noticed that on .bom, when you OLCI the boarding pass comes up as a web page - not an IMAGE. This web page is easily modified for someone savvy with how to build web sites. I was able to change my MP status, seating area, and even the printed seat assignment. The printed result with my changes looked 100% authentic as I use all the same fonts and text positioning as the origional bp.
The important thing to note is that I have NEVER tried using a modified bp due to the legal risk and plain lack of actuall need. But, theoretically, it would be very easy for a non-status pax to change the OLCI bp to have seating area one. The changed seat assignment would be usless since you can't easily modify the barcode that contains your seat location. Of course, when scanned it would come up on the screen, but I have had companions board with me in 1, when they were holding 3 or 4 bp's, and there has been no issue.
I know a kid got busted a while back doing this by making actuall fake NWA boarding passes and stealing flights, but I wonder what the legal issues for
To my knowledge, the kid never stole flights (and I doubt he could). He put up the web site to demonstrate the stupidity of airport security. His web site,
http://www.dubfire.net/boarding_pass/ , even says that it won't get one on the plane.
simply modifying a seating area would be on a purchased seat? This is 100% curiosity, as a 1k I have no need to do this and I have never used a tampered with bp. I am wondering if anyone has tried, or been caught changing the seating area, as its SOO easy to do with a .bom OLCI bp.
I tried searching for this, but found nothing. Has this ever been brought up?
IANAL, but civilly you'd be liable for fraud (fraudulently obtaining a service -- early boarding -- you were not entitled to). Criminally, it would not surprise me if the patriot act would put you at risk for modifying a BP. And from United's perspective, they'd probably revoke your MP account and your miles if you were caught.
A tampered BP is mostly useful for getting through security without a plane ticket, or getting through the elite security line with an F, C BP or elite status. Eventually I expect the TSA will take over BP generation. But for me, as trivial as it is for someone with 27 years exp. writing software to fake a BP, it simply isn't worth the risk. If I really need to get through security fast, I'll buy a fully refundable ticket in F.