Changing tickets with another post-security?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 860
Changing tickets with another post-security?
Just playing with a thought here.
Let us say that I fly from AAA to CCC via BBB, AAA-BBB-CCC on UA, and someone I know only flies BBB-CCC on DL. The flights from BBB-CCC depart within 30 minutes of each other. Both of us will be able to meet post security in the terminal at BBB (I will be clearing security at AAA, the other person at BBB).
Now the question is, could we hypothetically change tickets with each other so that the other person completes my part of the ticket from BBB-CCC, while I fly on his DL ticket from BBB-CCC?
As far as I know there is no more ID-check at the gate for domestic flights, so it is not very likely that they will catch us doing this, right?
Let us say that I fly from AAA to CCC via BBB, AAA-BBB-CCC on UA, and someone I know only flies BBB-CCC on DL. The flights from BBB-CCC depart within 30 minutes of each other. Both of us will be able to meet post security in the terminal at BBB (I will be clearing security at AAA, the other person at BBB).
Now the question is, could we hypothetically change tickets with each other so that the other person completes my part of the ticket from BBB-CCC, while I fly on his DL ticket from BBB-CCC?
As far as I know there is no more ID-check at the gate for domestic flights, so it is not very likely that they will catch us doing this, right?
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 736
You could. But ID checks are sometimes done at gates. And if caught, expect to hear on the local news - "next, at 11 - a major gap in Airport Security found". with images of worried mothers saying "i think that's crazy someone could get on the plane with someone else's ticket - I mean, who knows what that guy wanted to do (I don't know, something crazy like get on a plane and off a plane?)
Even though this is a revenue issue, not a security one, and the ticket user is 99 percent not a terrorist. And he would need to get into the sterile area with a BP or gate pass that went through the no-fly list stuff...
Even though this is a revenue issue, not a security one, and the ticket user is 99 percent not a terrorist. And he would need to get into the sterile area with a BP or gate pass that went through the no-fly list stuff...
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
1. Where did you hear that there aren't ID checks at the gate? TSA is running a lot of random secondaries at the gate.
2. This is largely a revenue, not a security issue. Both pax have been cleared through a checkpoint, so the immediate consequence would be ticket cancellations and the like.
3. Depending on whether TSA decided to pursue the matter, it could do anything from proposing up to an $11,000 civil fine or it could refer the matter for possible criminal prosecution. Such an action would probably result in being subjected to a lot of extra scrutiny for a long long time.
2. This is largely a revenue, not a security issue. Both pax have been cleared through a checkpoint, so the immediate consequence would be ticket cancellations and the like.
3. Depending on whether TSA decided to pursue the matter, it could do anything from proposing up to an $11,000 civil fine or it could refer the matter for possible criminal prosecution. Such an action would probably result in being subjected to a lot of extra scrutiny for a long long time.
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Yes you could, though if there's another ID check at the gate that will be an issue, or should something happen that requires them to clear the terminal and rescreen everybody.
See this thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...rrrhhhggg.html
about gate checks for ID, with some listed as recently as last week.
See this thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...rrrhhhggg.html
about gate checks for ID, with some listed as recently as last week.
#6
Original Poster




Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 860
#7
Senior Moderator




Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,458
Please follow as the thread moves to the apt travel security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605
Someone with a right to enter the UK buys a ticket to the UK, the one who doesn't buys a ticket to Lille. The one with the ticket to Lille doesn't undergo immigration checks at Brussels (itr's like pre-clearance) whereas the other does. Once both are on the train they swap tickets and the illegal travels into London safe in the knowledge that there aren't any more checks.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-Eurostar.html
#9
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
#10

Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
There are other ticket swap loopholes that have existed at Heathrow and Gatwick for years, with full knowledge of the powers that be. Its only in the last 10 years that the actual will to plug the holes has developed.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North West England/MAN - originally the Steel City
Programs: BA Exec Club, LH Miles & More, AF/KLM Flying Blue, Le Club Accorhotels, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 362
Is this still going on, do you know, B747-437B ?
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Just playing with a thought here.
Let us say that I fly from AAA to CCC via BBB, AAA-BBB-CCC on UA, and someone I know only flies BBB-CCC on DL. The flights from BBB-CCC depart within 30 minutes of each other. Both of us will be able to meet post security in the terminal at BBB (I will be clearing security at AAA, the other person at BBB).
Now the question is, could we hypothetically change tickets with each other so that the other person completes my part of the ticket from BBB-CCC, while I fly on his DL ticket from BBB-CCC?
As far as I know there is no more ID-check at the gate for domestic flights, so it is not very likely that they will catch us doing this, right?
Let us say that I fly from AAA to CCC via BBB, AAA-BBB-CCC on UA, and someone I know only flies BBB-CCC on DL. The flights from BBB-CCC depart within 30 minutes of each other. Both of us will be able to meet post security in the terminal at BBB (I will be clearing security at AAA, the other person at BBB).
Now the question is, could we hypothetically change tickets with each other so that the other person completes my part of the ticket from BBB-CCC, while I fly on his DL ticket from BBB-CCC?
As far as I know there is no more ID-check at the gate for domestic flights, so it is not very likely that they will catch us doing this, right?
If TSA is doing a gate check (and tsa still does these), the agents would be in place at the (respective) gates well before departure, so you would know that this is happening and continue on your original itns. instead of doing a swap.
#13




Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: United Airlines 1 MM, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,777
You could do it, but why would you? Usually, the BP swap is done if you're trying to make an earlier flight. Give someone already checked in a few bills to sit around the airport and take you're later flight, you take their earlier flight.
But, swapping out airlines, that may get a little dicey, since who knows what happens if the flight is canceled, diverted due to mechanical issues or something of that nature. In the OPs case, I wouldn't do it across airlines, although it wouldn't be because of TSA or anything.
But, swapping out airlines, that may get a little dicey, since who knows what happens if the flight is canceled, diverted due to mechanical issues or something of that nature. In the OPs case, I wouldn't do it across airlines, although it wouldn't be because of TSA or anything.

