When printing out a boarding pass on-line and it won't do it

[TNDemo]

and tells you that you need to check in, what does that mean? My husband booked a flight for my daughter tomorrow and she went on-line and it would not allow her to check in on-line. My husband tried to do it from his end and got the same thing. Is it the fact that someone else booked it or is she tagged? There was a time a few years ago that my family of five was flying. We discovered there was an earlier flight so we transferred to that one. Apparently that set all the bells and whistles off - for my two older kids. They apparently ignored the parents and my youngest. The older two were searched every inch, including their luggage, and questioned in depth. (I imagine it must be common for terrorists to take their parents and little sister with them on a mission.) For every flight for the next year or so they got the same treatment. I was wondering if the checking in thing is part of that.

[Divernan]

1. Sometimes I've gotten that message and gone back in an hour later

and been able to download the pass. You could try calling the airlines to ask about it. If you or your husband are frequent flyers, they might give you the courtesy of an explanation. I know once when I booked a flight at the last minute, I was able to download the pass, but it had a code number on it which triggered the thorough security check. But in any event, if she cannot download that boarding pass, she should allow plenty of time at the airport to jump through all the security hoops! Air travel sure has become a royal pain in the ass, hasn't it?

[linazelle]

2. I've been searched when I changed flights at the last moment.

I haven't purchased any tickets online though.

[Union Thug]

3. I've read that SSSS or some variation of it on a boarding pass

is your ticket to the isolation chamber, but I don't know anything about online check in. Good luck...

It's a sad day when people are afraid to travel, NOT because of terrorists, but because of their own government. Really pathetic.

[babylonsister]

4. If someone is flying out of the US, they need to show

their passport or birth cert./picture ID, which means you'd have to visit an agent.

[TNDemo]

5. It's domestic.

Nothing suspicious.

[MrSlayer]

6. Certain airlines only offer that service to the higher fares.

I've been taking AirTran lately and just recently I noticed that only the higher fares get that option now. This could be the case here.

[Swede Atlanta]

11. Don't think the problem is related to the fare

Airlines have an automated advance screening process. They look at all kinds of things like how far in advance the booking was made, if it was paid for with cash, etc.

But every airline is trying to drive cost out of their operations. The more they can push back on you, the passenger, the better for them. Running a website to allow printing of boarding passes saves them alot of money. They save on the salaries and benefits of staff at the airport. They save on the paper you print on using your home or office computer, etc. In fact they are most likely to want the lowest yield passengers, i.e. those with the cheapest tickets to self-serve and retain their agents and customer service staff for the higher fares.

Could be anything; the check-in window is closed, technical problems, or some kind of securit alert that was triggered by how it was booked, ticketed, etc.

[babylonsister]

7. Can you share what airline? If it's Southwest, don't they have

general boarding? I'm grasping at straws but...
Is there luggage involved? They'd still have to check in if so, but shouldn't preclude getting their ticket.

[RB TexLa]

8. are you within the time frame for checking in?

and does the flight have a gate assinged to it yet? It usually has to be within 24 hours to check in sometimes closer, and I've had it not let me check in and print until the flight had a gate assigned to it.

[TNDemo]

9. It's Southwest and within check-in time (24 hours).

My husband flies Southwest a lot and always does this.

[RB TexLa]

10. Don't know much about Southwest, Ft. Worth and the federal government

won't let us use it.

[Coventina]

12. That's exactly how I found out I'm on the "no-fly" list

Every time I fly my bags are searched.

I can't "pre-board" anymore. Ergo, I can't fly SWA anymore.
I got into a screaming match with a customer service rep with SWA because she refused to tell me what the problem was (over the phone).

When I got to the airport is when I found out that I'm a "suspected terrorist."

I fully suspect that because I'm openly critical of this mis-administration that my "punishment" is being on the list. I can't wait to see what they have in store for me next.

:eyes:

I hope this isn't the case with you, but be prepared.

Oh yeah, they say if I register a bunch of information with the TSA, that I can be taken off the list.

They can kiss my ass.