So a while back, I decided to experiment with a OLCI boarding pass. I noticed that on .bom, when you OLCI the boarding pass comes up as a web page - not an IMAGE. This web page is easily modified for someone savvy with how to build web sites. I was able to change my MP status, seating area, and even the printed seat assignment. The printed result with my changes looked 100% authentic as I use all the same fonts and text positioning as the origional bp.

The important thing to note is that I have NEVER tried using a modified bp due to the legal risk and plain lack of actuall need. But, theoretically, it would be very easy for a non-status pax to change the OLCI bp to have seating area one. The changed seat assignment would be usless since you can't easily modify the barcode that contains your seat location. Of course, when scanned it would come up on the screen, but I have had companions board with me in 1, when they were holding 3 or 4 bp's, and there has been no issue.

I know a kid got busted a while back doing this by making actuall fake NWA boarding passes and stealing flights, but I wonder what the legal issues for simply modifying a seating area would be on a purchased seat? This is 100% curiosity, as a 1k I have no need to do this and I have never used a tampered with bp. I am wondering if anyone has tried, or been caught changing the seating area, as its SOO easy to do with a .bom OLCI bp.

I tried searching for this, but found nothing. Has this ever been brought up?

To my knowledge, the kid never stole flights (and I doubt he could). He put up the web site to demonstrate the stupidity of airport security. His web site, http://www.dubfire.net/boarding_pass/ , even says that it won't get one on the plane.

IANAL, but civilly you'd be liable for fraud (fraudulently obtaining a service -- early boarding -- you were not entitled to). Criminally, it would not surprise me if the patriot act would put you at risk for modifying a BP. And from United's perspective, they'd probably revoke your MP account and your miles if you were caught.

A tampered BP is mostly useful for getting through security without a plane ticket, or getting through the elite security line with an F, C BP or elite status. Eventually I expect the TSA will take over BP generation. But for me, as trivial as it is for someone with 27 years exp. writing software to fake a BP, it simply isn't worth the risk. If I really need to get through security fast, I'll buy a fully refundable ticket in F.

Can one cancel and get a full refund after checking in?

I agree with the fraud charge, and possible patriot act as likely charges, but one would need to be caught first, and then tampering would need to be proved. I think it would be very tricky to prove tampering, say if all that was done was changing a boarding area. Think of how difficult it would be for UA to prove that it was not a glitch with .bomb.

Yep, assuming it's fully refundable you could even technically board the plane and then get off (if you're sick, for example), AFAIK.

You would have to be off the plane before the flight is "closed" in the system. Once closed, changes cannot be made AFAIK. I experienced this first hand on a NWA flight that left without me, and came back to the gate after taxi for a mechanical issue. Even though the plane was at a gate, I was not let on because I would be lost in the NWA system as I had been re booked on another flight.

Good point!

You could buy an int'l F ticket, check in, use an int'l F lounge, then refund..

Just to reiterate - this thread and my OP are not condoning or suggesting any illegal or nefarious activities.

This discussion is for curiousities sake.

You could perhaps print one real one for boarding the aircraft, and one fake one showing F, so that you could use the fast track line at security...

I have certainly had them *Leave Off* my status and dump me a seat in the back of the plane in E- before! Who's to say it couldn't happen the other way as well?

In an era where one can have ones cash stolen by the TSA with no recourse, I think you are naive. Why don't you try it, get caught, and get back to us? We'll see how long your computer and printer remain in your possession so maybe you can find an Internet Cafe.

You didn't address my third point, so for completeness, to revoke ones miles and MP status, UA doesn't have to prove anything. The burden of proof is on the member.

Interesting idea. I agree with others that it wouldn't be good for much aside from Elite security line and/or upgrading the boarding zone. One might try the upgrade trick once on-board, but all it would take would be a quick glance over the px manifest by a curious FA (or during meal prep) and you'd be toast.

Ya think the powers that decide who does what to .bomb will see this and not only close this loophole but actually make .bomb work a bit better than it does...(see a cacophony of other threads on this subject...)

And if TSA decides to do a deep search and finds the real BP?

I've had TSA officers look through all my papers before.

You might be able to talk you way out of it ("But officer, I upgraded after I checked in"), but you would be counting on the TSO's stupidity.

You'd be better off only bringing the fake one, and then telling the GA you lost you BP.