Resolved Using iPhone for Airplane Boarding Pass

[BigMcGuire]

You do know that the TSA agent also handles paper boarding passes and your identification while spreading those heebee jeebee germs, right?

True true, but I use my phone 24/7 - my paper boarding pass I usually fold up, put in my bag, and discard. But yeah, you're right - I'm not a super paranoid germaphobe but I do know most people's phones are loaded with nice amounts of bacteria.
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You don't hand the TSA guy your phone. You place it face down over the scanner yourself.

And it doesn't touch the screen, it will scan from several inches above it.

This is true - however, quite a few people were unable to get it to beep on their own because they'd place their phone face down on the glass. So the TSA/gate representative would take the phone, lift it up a good 2-3cm then it would beep. I have a big case on mine so the glass doesn't touch, but I saw the mistake people made, and was able to make mine beep --- the barcode is on the lower part of the phone, so that's what needs to be placed in the middle.

But yeah, they happily let you handle your own phone as long as you can get it to beep.

 

[iphone1027]

You do know that the TSA agent also handles paper boarding passes and your identification while spreading those heebee jeebee germs, right?

True, but you can always s

True true, but I use my phone 24/7 - my paper boarding pass I usually fold up, put in my bag, and discard. But yeah, you're right - I'm not a super paranoid germaphobe but I do know most people's phones are loaded with nice amounts of bacteria.
[doublepost=1494942142][/doublepost]

This is true - however, quite a few people were unable to get it to beep on their own because they'd place their phone face down on the glass. So the TSA/gate representative would take the phone, lift it up a good 2-3cm then it would beep. I have a big case on mine so the glass doesn't touch, but I saw the mistake people made, and was able to make mine beep --- the barcode is on the lower part of the phone, so that's what needs to be placed in the middle.

But yeah, they happily let you handle your own phone as long as you can get it to beep.

Exactly. If it takes too long to "scan" they will grab your phone and scan it themselves.

 

[Steve686]

You don't hand the TSA guy your phone. You place it face down over the scanner yourself.

And it doesn't touch the screen, it will scan from several inches above it.

Having been through dozens of airports, there is no one way any TSA agent is doing anything. Some will handle your phone, some will not.

Some agents don't even require you to take off your belt anymore before you pass through the body scanner.

 

[off_piste]

I fly multiple times a year, domestic and international, and this has always seemed to be a solution seeking a problem.

 

[dontwalkhand]

I fly multiple times a year, domestic and international, and this has always seemed to be a solution seeking a problem.

Not really. I use Wallet all the time, and I use Apple Pay too.

 

[Steve686]

I fly multiple times a year, domestic and international, and this has always seemed to be a solution seeking a problem.

For me flying several times a year, it always seems to be a convenience of technology.

 

[off_piste]

For me flying several times a year, it always seems to be a convenience of technology.

I found it no more convenient. Whether holding my phone and ID or paper and ID it's the same. I haven't tried the Apple Watch method someone mentioned above as I don't own one but I could see that potentially being a little better.

Backing up what the OP said, my last trip at the beginning of this month the guy in front of me in TSA pre check took a while because his phone wouldn't scan and when he picked it up the phone was off.

 

[Steve686]

I found it no more convenient. Whether holding my phone and ID or paper and ID it's the same. I haven't tried the Apple Watch method someone mentioned above as I don't own one but I could see that potentially being a little better.

Backing up what the OP said, my last trip at the beginning of this month the guy in front of me in TSA pre check took a while because his phone wouldn't scan and when he picked it up the phone was off.

For TSA the Apple watch, unless you wear it on the inside of your wrist, is a little awkward to scan onto the stationary readers.

For the gate agent it works well with the scanners facing downwards.

I don't bother with the watch anymore since the phone is one handed usable(7Plus) and is easy to swap to my boarding pass while finishing last minute work before boarding.

So for some travelers, the electronic boarding pass is indeed more convenient.

As far as the guy that had his phone off in TSA precheck...can't count how many times people are fumbling to put their phones down at the scanner to get their paper boarding pass out of their pockets while holding up the line. One way or another, inexperienced travelers will slow any line down with any method of getting through security and the gate.

 

[mi7chy]

You do know that the TSA agent also handles paper boarding passes and your identification while spreading those heebee jeebee germs, right?

Bacteria thrives on petri dish-like glass surface of your phone which has ideal warmth from phone operation along with nutrients from spit and finger leftovers. Add on top left overs from strangers, for example, from not washing their hands after restroom visits then the phone is held against your face and near your mouth.

E-ticket, on the other hand, is printed on bleached white paper which inhibits bacterial growth. Plus, you can usually fold the paper in half exposed for counter then retain it folded close to limit exposure until it's discarded.

I like flaunting things, too, but in this case the cons far outweigh the pros.

 

[Steve686]

Bacteria thrives on petri dish-like glass surface of your phone which has ideal warmth from phone operation along with nutrients from spit and finger leftovers. Add on top left overs from strangers, for example, from not washing their hands after restroom visits then the phone is held against your face and near your mouth.

E-ticket, on the other hand, is printed on bleached white paper which inhibits bacterial growth. Plus, you can usually fold the paper in half exposed for counter then retain it folded close to limit exposure until it's discarded.

I like flaunting things, too, but in this case the cons far outweigh the pros.

Airports and airplanes are pure Petri dishes. E ticket? Lol. Don't use the kiosk without a hand wash.

 

[BigMcGuire]

While we are on the topic of petri dishes and germs... I took a photo of the airplane power plug so I could charge my phone while reading an ebook on my business flight.

Enjoy Made me gag a little. I opted to use my 3200 mAh Anker battery in my backpack.

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As far as the guy that had his phone off in TSA precheck...can't count how many times people are fumbling to put their phones down at the scanner to get their paper boarding pass out of their pockets while holding up the line. One way or another, inexperienced travelers will slow any line down with any method of getting through security and the gate.

This summarizes it perfectly ^. My BIGGEST problem with the boarding process is that ... thanks to US Airlines charging baggage fees, EVERYONE tries to do a carry on + personal item. This means boarding processes are almost an hour long as you have people putting stuff in the overhead bins. Then they fill up and it's a 30+ minute ordeal to get everyone who couldn't get their bags up there a "free" ticket to put them in the plane's cargo area. Absolutely insane. All for $25/person.