The check in process
 

Hi,
I am wondering why should one use internet check in only just to get a seat while you still have to stand in line anyway in order check in your bags.

Are there any possibilities to do everything from home so just can drop your bag and head through security and cut all queues?!
:confused:

For some airlines, yes - for instance, Virgin allows you to check in 24 hours before your flight. However, Aer Lingus only has online check in at the airports it flies out of, such as DUB or LHR, at kiosks.

Do the research for the airline you are flying, and you will find the info you need.

Depends. Depends on the country, the airline, the airport...

I've recently flown on airlines where it's all manual, no choice (NZ ex-LHR) where you can check yourself in, but all luggage is manual (BA ex-LHR), where you can check yourself in, print off a baggage tag, then show your BP and passport to drop it off (SK ex-OSL) and where everything is automated and you can drop your bag off yourself (OS ex-VIE).

Probably a combination of demand, regulations and 'security'.

As an airline employee, I (and my colleagues) have often asked the same question. As far as we can tell, an on-line check in facility was not necessary, what was required was an on-line seating reservation function.

As far as we can see, the ability to print a boarding pass at home is only of any real value to hand baggage only passengers.

If checking in as early as possible matters (e.g. in a possible overbooking situation where you do not want to be involuntarily bumped, or when flying on Southwest), checking in 23:59 before the flight may be advantageous to checking in 1:30 before the flight.

If you're asking if you can print your own luggage tags and put them on yourselves, then the answer is NO. You can't do that.

Not from home, no. Quite a few airlines have started going that at airport SSCI machines, though.

I'm a hand luggage only person so I use it quite often as a time saver. The other big reason is to grab a good seat if you don't already have one assigned. Mainly it's a big stress relief. If you have your BP in hand, you can relax. These days, in places like the US and UK, travel is a heck of a lot more stressful than it used to be.

It is possible to check-in online, and then check your bags at the airport in a shortened queue. United has kiosk check-in , with an attendant that prints out the bag tag, and takes your bag. It's faster than the loooong line.

for ua, yes and if you have also chosen to go stdby via olci, you can even get your bags checked on the stdby flight if you wish-worked for me labor day w/e sfo-las (and some airports like sfo have a "secret place" with a very short line)

I don't mind standing in the UA Premier line, since it's not usually too long, and since I always overpack and, thus, have to check a bag, I've never used online check-in. I could definitely see myself start using it if I lose my status, though, to try to gain any advantage over everyone else waiting in the same line I'd otherwise be in.

By using the on line check on Alaska last week, I was able to same some time by entering the passport details for my wife and I. Flight to YVR. The agent seemed pleased, too.

Welcome to Flyertalk!

If you fly out of an airport with skycaps who can check you luggage curbside you could save some time for the cost of the fee and tip.

However, I'm a big fan of traveling with just carry on luggage. Once you see how much time you save be not checking a bag you won't go back!

Often there are bonus miles attached to checking in online.

Gets me on the checked in (and standby if necessary) list nice and early which can be beneficial when it's time to go. Generally I still visit the kiosk at the airport and print real BPs. I don't check bags so from that standpoint it's nice.

LGA & JFK have curbside check-in. I guess it may depend on the airline. Last month we flew Delta and we pulled up to the curb, right in front of the kiosk and they took our bags and gave us our boarding passes. Of course it was chaos inside and we had to stand in a security line for 90 minutes. It was the first day of the liquid ban!

Welcome to FLyerTalk :D

While you can't print luggage tags, you can make sure you have the seats you want and get your upgrades processed through the online checkin process.

On the two or three times a year I need to check luggage, I do it curbside. It is usually quick and costs just a few bucks to the skycaps doing the checkin. They give me another copy of my boarding pass (which is now good to give to the TSO if you have anything to declare and don't want to carry around a marked up boarding pass).

- Alan

Who checks bags?

People who have business trips that last longer than a week or so! And there are a few of us, at least. :p ;)

My most common trip is 4 - 7 weeks. In that period, there is usually some change in season. Packing now for Chicago. The leaves will turn and fall while I am there and I bet I will see a temp range from 60's to 80's.

Also, I like to have my own stuff and did pack quite quite a bit heavier than I absolutely need to. In for a penny, in for 50 lbs. ;)

OLCI's gretest benefit (at least to me) is a possibility to choose where exactly I would sit (especially if said airline do not handle seat assignments at the time of booking). just imagine what is the difference of sitting (in Y) in the middle seat vs grabbing a seat at exit row - for example if it is 10 hour flight :)
AX

For me checking bags is not an option no matter how long the trip or where I am going. The huge amount of lost time and productivity due to checking bags, plus the giant PITA when a bag is lost means I just use the hotel laundry on the road and buy clothes if I need them. When I am going to cold then warm places, I just pack a few older shirts that I don't want anymore, then toss them when I go to the warm place. Or vice versa.

I travel all over the world on business usually going from a few days to a month and I always do it with one shoulder bag and one laptop bag. The expense of hotel laundry and buying a few items is tiny compared to the productivity I gain.

Another big problem with checking bags (if you are a serious business traveler) is when you have to change flights at the last minute for whatever reason. If you bag is in the bottom of the plane you were previously going to take, you are screwed.

I never thought of just tossing some of my older shirts. At this time of year when I travel from Florida to the Northeast, to Texas and to the Rockies, I am always having to try to plan for what the weather will be like next week or at the end of next week. I just never thought of getting rid of some older clothes. Thanks for the tip.

That is why (except for leisure travel), I never check bags. I can't count the number of times I have been at the boarding gate and the cell phone rang with a request to go somewhere other than where I was headed.

- Alan

Well, I am a serious business traveler, though I try to laugh now and then. We just have different patterns. I take 4 to 6 long trips a year, but each time I am in one place for quite a while. Four 4 1/2 week stays each year. So I don't have to face the changes in schedule or as many changes as you. I would certainly have to change my way if I did.

Not only do I travel heavy, but I keep 4 -6 banana boxes of stuff in two cities: printer, kitchen gear, good speakers for my iPod, a box of office supplies.

Nimble it isn't. In a way, I travel a lot for (serious) business, but I don't fly nearly as much as many here. 50 - 60, thousand miles a year and that only because 3 of my long stays are in Europe.

We all have different pattens and different requirements. That is the reason I responded to the crack "Who checks bags?" For some, it makes eminent sense.

Best wishes!