Schultzois

So many of these checks are indeed being designed in a foolish hurry by people who have possibly never stepped on an airplane.

I am rather experienced as a traveller, and my only major issue during pandemic travel until now was with BA, but from Spain to London, not the other way around.

I had all the proper documentation for the time. 2x vaccination (this was in September 2021), PCR test from the day before, pre-paid test in UK post-arrival… but the *%(@!%(@#% online form wasn’t working. Error messages over and over. So, I figure I will just go to the airport because I DO have all the vaccinations and tests required for travel.

No help whatsoever at check-in. Thankfully I was with two (non-travelling) friends, one of whom talked to the check-in person while the other walked me through the ridiculously designed online document check that could have been done better by a child. After about 3-4 failures (as in some piece of data that was valid still wasn’t accepted - eventually I just changed or omitted data that didn’t seem critical) I completed the form, generated the code, and my friends took me as far as the security check. If not for their help, probably I would have missed that flight.

By the way, I had also already done the Verifly thing already in advance as an alternative, but at the airport in Spain they also weren’t accepting that then.

I have three engineering degrees and although I don’t consider myself “elderly” at 47 years, maybe the world is starting to leave my type behind. I wouldn’t say that’s acceptable, though.

A 34 year old friend of mine had a similar experience about a year ago, getting a flight back to his home country of Brasil. Again… quickly improvised form that was prone to errors when you fill it out, but if you don’t have the QR code from filling it out, no way to check in, even if you can show every document listed as required for travel. Thankfully he was flying in Business Class and the check-in staff in his case were extremely helpful (not like my BA in Spain scenario). Even with their help, though, he told me after that he expected for awhile that he wouldn’t be able to get on the flight because of a ridiculous online form needing to be completed. He made it, though, and I only found out after.

DorsetKnob

I totally agree. Far too many companies/government depts work & design systems that work on the assumption everybody must have not only a mobile phone, but a smart phone at that and high speed internet access plus access to a printer. Thats before you assume everybody is IT literate. It is total arrogance on the part of these companies/departments. I have every sympathy with people trying to wrestle with multiple systems to complete documentation. Its ill thought out & generally ill designed. to then blame the passenger is arrogance. Example in my PLF account you can save most details. Why is it so difficult not to allow it to save my vaccination details?

jcmalcolm

There is no "CDC card" in the USA.
There is a common paper vaccination card that bears the CDC logo which is used by counties (not States) in the US to record a vaccine shot. That record is for the convenience of the holder, not a government agency. A completed card is not issued or approved by the CDC. Vaccination records aren't retained by the CDC or the vast majority of states or counties due to health privacy laws. The 'CDC card' is widely available in blank form, completed by hand, and in my experience accepted in most countries for US travelers. There will never be a digital covid card nationwide in the USA, just as there will be no national ID card which is common in Europe. For a variety of good reasons, a national ID card of any type isn't legal under US law.

Since the UK recently woke up and eliminated all mandates and vaccine passports, and the vaccine and boosters have proven ineffective, the problem your parents had was simply an over-cautious airline that didn't want any chance of financial liability.

Visas are carefully checked at US ports of entry. Passengers arriving in the USA are not checked for covid or vaccinations, except in extremely rare circumstances. Although I'm American and typically use the automated kiosks to pass US immigration lines, never once in the past year have I been asked for the required test results. There is no requirement for a USCIT to be vaccinated to enter the US.
Sorry for the inconvenience experienced by your parents. I hope they enjoy their rescheduled visit.

corporate-wage-slave

There is a lot of misinformation, not least in the second paragraph, where you can simply compare high booster and low booster countries death rates to see the difference. But in the first paragraph, neither the UK nor Ireland have ID cards, indeed the need for ID in the USA greatly exceeds any country I can think of in Europe. I don't normally travel with ID when flying around the UK. So if the land that invented databases wanted a proper vaccination record process, it could have done so, but it decided not to do so. The UK vaccination certificate uptake is very high, and hence cases like the OP's parents are rare.

scottishpoet

The UK has not eliminated all mandate and vaccine passports.

Keystone

I disagree - according to the TSA web site:

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

Real ID Driving licences are effectively ID cards. There is also no ID card in the UK, but the security protocols about getting a UK driving licence effectively make it an ID card.

themishmans

This is actually helpful to me. Thank you. My daughter is flying with a CDC card filled out with two jabs in the US and her booster filed out in UK. She has no NHS record. I assumed it would be fine just because the booster isn't required but it's good to have some confirmation.

jcmalcolm

No. Real ID cards are optional and are not national ID cards. Many Americans will never have one, opting for a typical DL instead. I can use my passport or Global Entry card to easily board a domestic flight after 2023, but will never present either for any other purpose nor will I be required to.
Also, RealID cards are a form of driver's license issued by states, not the Federal government. Big difference.

scottishpoet

Except maybe when buying alcohol/ entry to a bar or club ...?

ryan182

Was telling a friend about VeriFLY (they use delta which apparently does not partner with VeriFLY) and I made this exact point, that IMO the best benefit of the app is if you somehow messed up some requirement you likely will find out in advance when you can still do something about it vs at the check in counter.

London Dude

Those Automated Passport Control kiosks may well be a thing of the past. They had all been removed when I went through immigration at ORD last December and I had to scramble to fill in the paper customs form while queuing up for passport control. BTW ORD had been the first US airport to offer the APC program when it started several years ago.

AirbusA350

That’s because of ORD’s various terminal constructions and revamp that’s ongoing at present, not because APC is somehow being disbanded.

Can I help you

I missed this, why were the APIS booths removed, I was shocked when I arrived and they were gone?

choosethedrew

This got me thinking whether my own NHS proof of vaccine record will pass muster...

Passport: Mr Pepe Le Pew
NHS: Mr Pepe R Le Pew

Obviously my DOB and everything else matches. Will it be OK?

psusaver

I was going to ask why BA wasnt giving travel credit at least, so I am glad to see this. Yes, the delay is sad but hopefully this helps them pack that another gift they bought but left on the counter (just talking what I have done before).