Cell Phone for Airlines Check-in

[Jerro]

Airlines OK standard for cell phone check-in - Travel News - MSNBC.com

[RJB]

This is very good news.

[bobolito]

So what happens if my battery dies? I won't be able to check in?...or what if my carrier's network decides to "eat" the message like sometimes it happens and doesn't get delivered? And then imagine the number of people that don't even know how to check their text message!

I think this is a waste of time and money because not many people will take advantage of this, so I don't see how this will serve any benefit to the check-in process.

[Jerro]

Originally Posted by bobolito

So what happens if my battery dies? I won't be able to check in?...or what if my carrier's network decides to "eat" the message like sometimes it happens and doesn't get delivered? And then imagine the number of people that don't even know how to check their text message!

I think this is a waste of time and money because not many people will take advantage of this, so I don't see how this will serve any benefit to the check-in process.

In fact it may jeopardize security efforts.

[clock3687]

Originally Posted by Jerro

In fact it may jeopardize security efforts.

Agreed, not to mention slow it down big time. You drop your cell phone in a bucket that goes through the x-ray machine, have it go through, you go through the metal detector, you have to grab the cell phone find the text message, etc. etc.

[Bugwart]

SW already uses barcode checkin, but it is designed to be used on paper. The email you a bar code and you print it out. I tried to use my cell phone by uploading the GIF and displaying it on the screeen. The scanner did not recognize the bar code.

Japan has a system using a 2 dimensional "bar code." They can use it to pay for train and subway tickets and now to pay for parking. The code looks like an ink blot on the screen, and whatever scanners they use do pick up the image.

Bobo, since many folks would not be tech savvy enough to use a displayed bar code, I would venture a guess that the system would also recognize a paper bar code.

[Fire14]

World's Airlines Agree on Standardised Mobile Phone Boarding Passes

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade body which represents most of the worlds airlines has announced plans for a global standard based on two-dimensional (2D) bar codes which should accelerate the rollout of mobile phone based check-ins at airports.

Mobile phone check-in enables airlines to send 2D bar codes directly to a passenger's mobile phone. Passengers simply register their mobile number with their airline at the time of booking to receive a text message with a 2D bar code, or instructions to download it. The bar code becomes the passenger's boarding pass and it is read directly from the screen of the mobile device, eliminating paper completely from the check-in process.

"Passengers want the convenience of self-service options in a paperless environment. This standard is an important step in getting rid of paper that bogs down processes and drives up costs," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Historically, airline global applications for mobile phone technology have been restricted due to differerent regional formats. The IATA standard uses existing codes: Aztec and Datamatrix which are used extensively in Europe and North America; and QR which is widely used in Japan. All three are proven technologies and can be read by a single scanner type that is cost effective and readily available globally.

"The creation of a standard code is only part of the solution," said Bisignani. "In the next months we will be working with our members to develop standardised processes and guidelines that facilitate global implementation."

The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). Upon full implementation, BCBP is estimated to save the industry over US$500 million annually. A 2D standard for paper bar coded passes was established in 2005 and is the basis for web check-in. Both standards (mobile and paper based) can be issued and accepted by airlines worldwide.

World's Airlines Agree on Standardised Mobile Phone Boarding Passes

[bobolito]

These will have to be special barcode scanners. The laser powered barcode scanners that we're used to do not recognize contrast levels on LCD screens since they don't reflect light the same way paper does. These new scanners will have to be more like a camera.

[AnthroMatt]

Originally Posted by Jerro

In fact it may jeopardize security efforts.

I don't see how. You would still need a photo ID.

If you have ill-intent, you can use a fake photo ID with a paper boarding pass as easily as with one that is present on the screen of a mobile device.