In Town Check In For US Flights suspended from 26 Oct
Oct 23, 2017, 8:32 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
(Asked for @Majuki , a little OT but) I called American Airlines HK this morning 3057 9197, specifically using the Canto line to try to get a local agent.
American Airlines HK says they aren't suspending In Town Check In yet, but Airport Authority will grill US-bound pax more
American Airlines HK says they aren't suspending In Town Check In yet, but Airport Authority will grill US-bound pax more
i can't imagine it's a CX only thing?! I do know the US treats US airlines differently. I guess proof would be in pudding when HX launches to LAX and SFO and see what they do.
Oct 23, 2017, 8:40 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: MNL / SFO / NYC
Programs: IHG Spire | Marriott Plat | UA Plat | AA Plat Pro
Posts: 533
Well SQ might announce changes soon if it affects all airlines since they do fly SQ2 from HKG.
Oct 23, 2017, 8:40 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
I don't know why this prevents ITCI considering people not asked the questions at check-in would be asked at the gate? I'm assuming they do not repeat the questioning at the gate for those who had already been asked at check-in. It sounds like toplayer was questioned a second time at the gate, but the data point might not be representative because of the SSSS.
Oct 23, 2017, 9:14 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
What is interesting is that the questions from Europe to the US are only asked if you are flying a US carrier, not a non-US one. For instance, LHR-LAX on AA gets the questions but LHR-LAX on BA is no questions asked. Furthermore, the questions can be asked at a variety of places such as at check-in, at the gate, or even at the Admirals Club in the case of AA.
I don't know why this prevents ITCI considering people not asked the questions at check-in would be asked at the gate? I'm assuming they do not repeat the questioning at the gate for those who had already been asked at check-in. It sounds like toplayer was questioned a second time at the gate, but the data point might not be representative because of the SSSS.
I don't know why this prevents ITCI considering people not asked the questions at check-in would be asked at the gate? I'm assuming they do not repeat the questioning at the gate for those who had already been asked at check-in. It sounds like toplayer was questioned a second time at the gate, but the data point might not be representative because of the SSSS.
the total mish-mash and contradictons make everyone think it's a joke.
The ME airline thing (which they attempted to force on Asian airlines, CX included, but failed) was absurd, forcing all the laptops / iPads / lithium ion batteries in the luggage. And then, lol 2-3 months later FAA implements complete reversal, now saying no laptops in luggage whatsoever because it's a massive hazard. Lol. So I guess....thanks for putting us all at a huge risk for those 2-3 months
???If/when the US has a sensible policy, nobody will believe it either because of all this comedy. It's just a bad showing all around and overall security is worse-off for it.
Hopefully CX will get in-town checkin back. I fly to the US so damn often and it'd be lovely for the US not to be in some fourth-world category of countries that cannot use it.
Oct 23, 2017, 9:20 pm
#20
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,807
e.g. Jetstar Asia can ITCI but Jetstar Japan cannot http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/en/services/itci.pdf
Oct 23, 2017, 9:22 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
I thought it was airlines not countries.
e.g. Jetstar Asia can ITCI but Jetstar Japan cannot http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/en/services/itci.pdf
e.g. Jetstar Asia can ITCI but Jetstar Japan cannot http://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/en/services/itci.pdf
Jetstar Japan shares the same name as the rest of the Jetstars, but ownership and economics are different for each.
For example, I'm pretty sure another LLC Spring Airlines doesn't offer ITCI either for this reason.
Oct 23, 2017, 9:32 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
HX will launch LAX in December and SFO in March.
Current airlines flying nonstop HKG to US and US territories:
CX (LAX, SFO, ORD, BOS, JFK, EWR)
UA (SFO, ORD, EWR, GUM, SPN)
AA (LAX, DFW)
DL (SEA)
SQ (SFO)
HX (LAX, SFO)*Launches Dec and March, respectively.
SQ2 will offer the definitive proof for now. Non-US airline, flying nonstop HKG-USA. If they're still allowing in-town check in, definitely a CX specific issue.
Oct 24, 2017, 2:11 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
Well it just makes me not want to visit the US. And I am sure there are many people who will come to a similar conclusion.
Shame to see the US starting to lose the plot.
I would prefer the US to remain the major superpower and hegemon - after all we did well under a Pax Americana, but it gets sadder to see the US starting to lose the plot.
Shame to see the US starting to lose the plot.
I would prefer the US to remain the major superpower and hegemon - after all we did well under a Pax Americana, but it gets sadder to see the US starting to lose the plot.
Oct 24, 2017, 2:38 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
This is interesting - I just got back from HKG to the U.S.. I was trying to check in from Kowloon Station, and was told I was "SSSS" and thus needed to check in at the airport. Going forward it would be awful to take my luggage to HKIA every time...
Last edited by andersonCooper; Oct 24, 2017 at 2:47 am
Oct 24, 2017, 2:44 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Its a complete joke. Round 1: Aisle B (diagonally opposite F check in desks). Why are you going to the US. How many phones do you have. Why do you have 2 phones. Why do you have a phone for work. Why do you have a laptop. Did you pack your luggage. When did you pack it. You get the feeling that the people questioning you have never been on a plane before.
Round 2: Gate entrance (same questions but shorter due to the number of people waiting)
Round 3: Jet bridge (unfortunately got SSSS'd). More of the same questions plus shoe check.
On the plus side on arrival into SFO not a peep re SSSS, very smooth.
[MODs please redact if this is too specific re security].
Round 2: Gate entrance (same questions but shorter due to the number of people waiting)
Round 3: Jet bridge (unfortunately got SSSS'd). More of the same questions plus shoe check.
On the plus side on arrival into SFO not a peep re SSSS, very smooth.
[MODs please redact if this is too specific re security].
Round 1: What's your job title in the U.S.? What's your employer's name?
Round 2: Did you pack your luggage yourself?
Round 3: Which part of your trip did you enjoy the most?
I just got SSSS this time from HKG, but CX did not ask any additional questions but instead apologized for the inconvenience. SSSS in HKG is WAY better experience than in JFK, where TSA had no idea about procedures and staff blamed each other, creating an artificial long line (not to mention I was not SSSS in JFK but just lined behind a SSSS pax, and still suffered).
Last edited by andersonCooper; Oct 24, 2017 at 2:51 am
Oct 24, 2017, 4:26 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Secondary Security Screening Selection. It's believed that it's up to the US gov to pick, but airlines also have the authority to select pax as well, depending on their answers to the questions. If you are selected to SSSS, you can't check in online (in CX's case, no ITCI).