why don't more people use mobile boarding pass on their phones?
Apr 23, 2012, 7:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 200
why don't more people use mobile boarding pass on their phones?
I use mobile boarding pass on my phone 100% of the time at airlines and airports that allow it. (no issues 90%+ of the time, except the dumb TSA guys dropping my phone a couple of times. 
)
However, I have noticed that not that many do it... I fly into/out of ORD(not my home city airport) frequently and not many seem to use it... at least not when I'm around.
What percentage of passengers actually use it?
)However, I have noticed that not that many do it... I fly into/out of ORD(not my home city airport) frequently and not many seem to use it... at least not when I'm around.
What percentage of passengers actually use it?
Last edited by MissyH; Apr 23, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Apr 23, 2012, 7:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LMT, MFR, PDX, SFO
Programs: UA Premier Silver (whoopie, why am I bothering, again?)
Posts: 107
Well, right now I am 2 for 4 in having it work, usually due to equip on the airline end. When it's reliably 4 for 4, I'll use it, but right now it's worth the extra 5 minutes at home or the hotel to log on and print.
Also, my wonderful semi-Luddite spouse doesn't have - or have any desire for - a smart phone. I'd say there are MAYBE 20 people who know his cell #. He doesn't like being that tethered - email can wait until the laptop is set up or anyone with something suitable urgent can call.
Also, my wonderful semi-Luddite spouse doesn't have - or have any desire for - a smart phone. I'd say there are MAYBE 20 people who know his cell #. He doesn't like being that tethered - email can wait until the laptop is set up or anyone with something suitable urgent can call.
Apr 23, 2012, 9:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW, SEA and AA in between
Programs: AA-3MM-ExPLT
Posts: 1,146
* TSA equipment malfunctions - so I have to have a paper backup
* AA's app sucks - it constantly logs me out and takes 1-2 minutes plus 20 keystrokes to get the BP back - so I have to have a paper backup
Either of those make it effectively useless to me.
* AA's app sucks - it constantly logs me out and takes 1-2 minutes plus 20 keystrokes to get the BP back - so I have to have a paper backup
Either of those make it effectively useless to me.
Apr 23, 2012, 10:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS-GoldMVP,Hilton, Hyatt, Hertz
Posts: 907
My phone works perfectly fine so I can't justify spending the money just to be able to use a few applications....shrugs......
Apr 23, 2012, 10:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
I've used it successfully over the last 18 months on UA, CO, US, AA, and DL at ORD, RIC, LGA, CLE, CLT, PIT, BOS, EWR, ATL, SLC, SEA, MSP, DEN, IAD, and IAH. I can't recall if FLL, TPA, BDL, and BWI have accept mobile BP, but if they do, I'm sure I used it.
In my experience, the fears over scanner malfunctions are overblown. Only once have I had a TSA scanner not work, forcing me to go back to get a paper BP. I can't recall more than a couple of cases where the gate scanner didn't work, but the agent just printed up a new BP for me on the spot and I was good to go.
In my experience, the fears over scanner malfunctions are overblown. Only once have I had a TSA scanner not work, forcing me to go back to get a paper BP. I can't recall more than a couple of cases where the gate scanner didn't work, but the agent just printed up a new BP for me on the spot and I was good to go.
Apr 23, 2012, 10:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
Apr 23, 2012, 10:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
I have a collection of BP stubs, so I like to continually add to my collection.
If I get the thin machine printouts (which the ink fades after a couple of months), I usually ask a lounge or gate agent for some 'real' cardstock. 90% of the time they are happy to print me one out.
If I get the thin machine printouts (which the ink fades after a couple of months), I usually ask a lounge or gate agent for some 'real' cardstock. 90% of the time they are happy to print me one out.
Apr 24, 2012, 12:14 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
I use mobile boarding pass on my phone 100% of the time at airlines and airports that allow it. (no issues 90%+ of the time, except the dumb TSA guys dropping my phone a couple of times. )
However, I have noticed that not that many do it... I fly into/out of ORD(not my home city airport) frequently and not many seem to use it... at least not when I'm around.
What percentage of passengers actually use it?
)However, I have noticed that not that many do it... I fly into/out of ORD(not my home city airport) frequently and not many seem to use it... at least not when I'm around.
What percentage of passengers actually use it?
Sorry, till it is 99.99% trouble free, it isn't worth skipping the paper pass.
Apr 24, 2012, 2:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beautiful Switzerland
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 509
Don't forget roaming fees for the checkin app and BP download! Can become quite hefty and expensive.
I usually check in online, but get the BP at the airport. Good enough for me and works well.
W
I usually check in online, but get the BP at the airport. Good enough for me and works well.
W
Apr 24, 2012, 2:39 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 6,999
Not all electronic BPs indicate the status, and that can prevent you from getting priority whatever.
ETA: Also, if you want to claim missing miles, you often need paper.
ETA: Also, if you want to claim missing miles, you often need paper.
Last edited by florin; Apr 24, 2012 at 3:24 am
Apr 24, 2012, 5:47 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
Imagine a fully loaded 737 with every type of PAX (young, old, FF, novice, single person, family with 4 kids, etc). Now imagine that every single one of them is trying to use a smarthphone during check-in and then again during boarding.
I would pay money to watch that show.
I would pay money to watch that show.
