dgilligan02

Legitimately I am not doing this, but know some who are considering. Is this a terrible idea or no biggie?

Two people booked on same flight: person A in First Class, and person B in Econ.

Turns out person A cannot make the trip, but best move is to just leave the ticket unused. So person A and person B are both planning on checking in for the flight, with person B then boarding the plane with person A boarding pass (to sit in First Class).

Is this a dumb idea?
I wouldn't think they'd pull person B's luggage of the plane after his boarding pass didn't scan at boarding?
If person B is on a round trip itinerary would that jeopardize the return flight, since DL would not show him on prior flight?
What are the pitfalls and risks here, if any?

Thanks.

KRUXED

xliioper

On a roundtrip person's B's return ticket would be cancelled and would not have a way to check-in. Bad idea.

webmarks

Yes.

They absolutely will offload luggage belonging to a no-show itinerary, so the only option is carryon only or have Person A check Person B's baggage.

Person B's ticket will certainly be cancelled.

• Both Person A & B have to check in and go through security
• If there are IRROPS or baggage delays, Person B may have a Very Bad Time® if needing to show proof of identity
• Flying under or checking bags under another identity are certainly against Contract of Carriage, which could result in any number of outcomes depending on how the airline handles it if caught

ATOBTTR

Luggage will be pulled if it's an international flight. It's unlikely to be pulled on a domestic flight, though still a possibility. However, yes, Person B's ticket will be canceled upon the "no-show" for the outbound. Theoretically Person B could buy a one-way fully refundable ticket to clear regular security on the return leg but person B would be unable to check luggage under Person A's name on the return due to ID being required at check-in when checking luggage.

Another potential pitfall: if the flight is randomly selected for additional TSA Screening at the Gate, Person B would need to board with their own boarding pass so as to match the ID when boarding at the gate. As noted above, IROPS and being rebooked would be an issue too.

Though unlikely, other issues do arise with regards to diversions, in-flight emergencies, or God-forbid, the plane crash.

dgilligan02

Thanks for quickly confirming what I suspected, that this is not without risk.

To me best move here is for person B to just board using their own boarding pass and then plunk down in person A's assigned First Class seat...and hope they don't get asked to move.

ATOBTTR

Also a dumb idea, or at best, naive to how things work when flying today. Once Person A is a "no show" when the check-in window closes, their FC seat will then be given to an elite (or non-rev) on the standby list. It's a very rare event for DL flights to go out with empty FC seats due to the number of people who are on an UG list or non-rev standby list on a given flight.

UKtravelbear

'not without risk' = understatement. There is an awful lot of risk!

Once person A fails to have their BP scanned the GA will likely process an upgrade from the list and then you sorry Person B will be told to move.

OHDL1

Isn't removal only for international flights? Wouldn't domestic bags go on their merry way do to already having been screened?

dgilligan02

Haha, yes I agree. I don't actually endorse this at all, not worth it IMO. I just mean IF you're going to go for it, that's the way to go. Downside risk is embarrassment suffered in being asked to move later on (if the seat is open as you board) vs. other potential unpleasantries.

DavidDTW

Isn't it illegal to use another person's boarding pass to get on a flight?

xliioper

Possibly -- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...106publ547.htm

Definitely a CoC violation --
B) Tickets are not transferable. The purchaser of the ticket and the passenger are responsible for ensuring that the ticket accurately states the passenger's name. Presentation of a ticket for transportation by someone other than the passenger named on the ticket renders the ticket void.

kenn0223

ATOBTTR

I'm not going to speculate on the chance of it happening or the consequences of getting caught but there are plenty of things that could go wrong in this and result in "Person B" getting caught trying to fly as "Person A". Even something as simple as a seat swap by the GA to accommodate another passenger's request or needs could result in "Person B" being caught if the GA asks for ID when handing over the boarding pass. Getting rebooked in IROPs could raise potential of being caught and then being stranded somewhere, especially if the IROPS involves being rebooked on another carrier or an unplanned overnight stay.

Of course this all may be moot since we've covered that Person B's return would be canceled upon the no-show and they would be unable to check-in luggage as "Person A" on the return.

The Situation

I can see this going horribly wrong - its not the embarrassment factor. Its the factor that the rightful owner of the seat comes along (via upgrade), and the squatter walks back to Y, it is probably cause a scene and some discussion amongst the FAs and GA that walks onboard with a new boarding pass for someone. The squatter could be seen as someone who might cause an issue in flight if they have the audacity to take an F seat that does not belong to them even before they have left the gate, and with airlines being as risk averse as they are now because of so many in flight incidents, they may pull the squatter off the flight.