The Detroit Free Press has a story about this rollout today:

http://www.freep.com/article/2008110...SS05/811060344

It says they're only offering the feature on direct flights, which I guess dodges the issue with connecting to other airlines.

It was me that called it a Tuit in the original post, all the TSA personnel were calling it a poker chip. I choose to call it a Tuit because a poker chip has some $$ value that can be redeemed (this TSA chip has no $$ value); however, you are correct that the original name came from for a wooden chip that you could use to as a record of a service you owed someone at the later date (You plowed my field, I will fix your fence when I get around "to it"). You still see them today in many private/social clubs were someone wants to buy you a drink, you already have one, so the bartender gives you a chip with "1 Drink" printed on it you can exchange later or on you next visit.

So if the name catches on, I can go down in history as the guy who came up with the name Tuit for the TSA token/chip.

Can anybody confirm if I have the first FT post that made it to the TSA web-site. I have seen posts referenced in mags, newspapers, TV news, but never a TSA reference before.

Used the e-thingie yesterday in the security check point opposite the GT tunnel on level 5. They have a scanner (nothing special, just a BP scanner like in the North Terminal) fitted at the ID checkpoint and if it blinks green if the BP is kosher. Very simple. No poker chip, but they tell you just to show the e-BP on your PDA before & after you put your PDA in the x-ray machine.^

Just tried to use an e-boarding pass at DTW sent to my cell phone. It didn't scan at the security checkpoint. I tried 5 or 6 times, with the TSA person there, telling me what to do. He said that a lot of cell phones don't work, but that generally when they're on larger devices (blackberries, pdas) they work. So, I had to go print a paper boarding pass. Oh well, worth a try. The TSA dude said that a newer scanning system is coming out soon.

I also had no luck with the e-boarding pass in DTW on Wednesday. Pulled it up on my Centro, scanned it a dozen times and no luck. I have another flight on Sunday so I'll try it again. This time I'll have the backup paperboarding pass before getting in line.

Which stations can you do e-BP? I can't seem to find out if LAX or MSP is one of them....

IND and DTW but only if you're on a non-stop:

http://www.nwa.com/checkin/eboarding/

Tried e-boarding pass on my Motorola Razr last week at IND. I use flyclear, and this complicated the procedure because the only scanner was at the main security line which meant I had to walk with the clear agent to the main security line and wait for them to try to scan my phone. When I got there they had to call someone else over over to scan the phone so I waited again. they said the scanner almost never works on phones (so why does NW show the razr as an available option?)

After it didn't work, I pulled out my backup paper ticket, which meant I had to go back through the clear area to get someone to mark the ticket. I will definitely not try it again until I know it is functional, and probably not with a razr.

Using an E-Boarding pass is possible if you have a connection at an E-Boarding pass airport such as DTW. A little complicated but does work. My last couple flights I have taken I have done this and worked every time. Heres what I did my last flight I went from TOL - DTW - EWR and then on the way home JFK - DTW - TOL. What I did was I checked in and got a paper boarding pass for my flight from TOL - DTW when I got to DTW I used mobile.nwa.com and checked in again but this time instead of telling it TOL was my departure city I told the system my departure city was DTW. At the end of the check in process it offered me an E-Boarding pass. Went to the gate placed my Iphone on the scanner and it worked great. Anyone wondering there was no problem with any of my miles posting to my delta account when I have done this.

You are right. Since the 90's the U.S. has been behind in communications revolution. For example, the electronic pre-paid phone cards, that you insert into a pay phone like a credit card, never made it here.

How will they maintain an Elite/First Class line? You will have to your Elite card in your hand?