So I guess what I wrote/said is incorrect, because it wouldn't be possible for the airlines to coordinate such an effort?

I received my training in use of the BP reader initally from Continental Airlines, not TSA. And it was on equipment they provided, which we then had at the checkpoint. Which they had to maintain, and re-provide when it broke.

Sorry, I stand by what I said.

You have always been one of the more observant FT members I have seen. You are correct, the passenger should be the one to hold their phone as it is scanned. Though I will state that if they seem to not be able to do so, TSO's have been known to help.

My issue is that the phone is unlocked at that point and will take a number of seconds after the BP scan to re-lock itself. If some overzealous TSA employee who is either a BDO or playing BDO decides to "screen" (i.e., read and peruse) the electronic contents of my phone, I would rather it not be unlocked. If it's locked, it's no different than my laptop in that if they wish to examine the contents on the spot without confiscating the device (which they could not justify), they must have a password, which I will not provide. This sort of content-screening attempt is extremely rare but not unheard of--there are plenty of reports of TSA employees over zealously examining wallet contents, papers, and books, and there are a handful of reports of them over zealously examining a laptop computer.

"just say no". And wait for it to lock again. Or lock it. I really don't see the issue here since they don't have physical possession.

I too carry a paper BP just in case. I'm not using my phone to try and save paper, and I realize why some would question having both. But....it is fairly new technology, and I like techie things....so I try to support new technology. I also continue to have a land line phone at home in addition to my cell phone. My cell doesn't always work either.

I think it depends on the airline, some allow you to store the document on the phone so you don't need a connection at the checkpoint, and for the ones where a connection is required (not even sure there are many of those left) you can do a screen shot of the code and save that on the device just in case you can not connect.

Okay, showing my goofiness, but I carry a back up paper BP for my paper BP.

I have no doubt what you said is correct.

When electronic BP's started (for me at least as an AA flyer) it was only a few airports like ORD that had them (The scanners). It was a "pilot" and I'm sure there were certain airlines participating at that time. Those scanners are much more ubiqioutous now.

I'm sure those scanners were or indeed still are paid for by the airlines.

But do the airlines take custody of those scanners every night? Or are they now handled by the TSA as routine equipment?

I've been told before that the scanners don't work, only to have the TSA go and get it out of the back room and viola! it works!!

Re: paper vs phone BP... If I had a paper BP I wouldn't bother with my phone. Sometimes I do that. Or sometimes I check in on my phone as the taxi is driving me to the airport. I can skip the line and head straight to security. When things work as they should, this is fine. If I (And every other traveller) had to have paper as a backup every time, then phone-based BP's would be pretty pointless, wouldn't they?

I presume one advantage is that, if you present the electronic boarding pass, it's much more difficult for the TSO to write a retaliatory "SSSS" on it ...

hasn't that ended?

Retaliation or SSSS?

No, it can still happen if somebody has less-than-ideal ID. But that's only relevant at those airports where you'd be showing your BP again at the WTMD. And there are fewer and fewer around.

I'm not really sure I understand your misgivings regarding the mobile boarding pass. As RichardKenner correctly pointed out, it's the passenger that holds the phone to the scanner, not the TDC. The phone never leaves the passenger's possession. In all of the times I've used the MBP at a checkpoint, the TDC has never once requested to hold or look at the face of the phone, so there's never been any danger of the TDC accessing my personal information. Once I'm clear of the TDC, the phone gets locked and goes into my carry-on for its trip through the x-ray.

I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it'd be more likely at the x-ray station than at the TDC, since the phone would be out of the passenger's control.

Correct. I find it's less likely to play the name-game if you have electronic. Not guaranteed, but makes it easier to look at the screen and say "I'm (insert name from e-BP here) today".

It also still happens if you don't play the name game or don't like the interrogation at BOS/DTW. And in some places where you opt-out of the strip-search machines.

Yes, but the claim was that it would be locked then, while it can't be at TDC.