Use the electronic check-in machine....OR ELSE!

[marmar]

Anyone notice that airlines have gotten Gestapo about people checking in at the automated check-in machines? Here at Northwest Airlines' megahub in Detroit, it's almost mandatory. If you make eye contact with the people behind the check-in desk, they immediately point down to the check-in machine, Personally, I like checking myself in, either on-line or at the machines, but it seems very disconcerting to many other travelers, particularly the older ones.

[yy4me]

1. I have noticed it and feel it is almost an excuse for giving

even less service. Recently I was directed to machines as I headed to the counter. My intent was to ask a question, but the clerk assumed thAt I wanted to be ticketed. It seems that any possible interaction between airline staff and the public is now discouraged in thew name of security or economics. Most of the staff that I meet are polite but one feels it is forced, not a natural politeness. Like almost everything else, I guess. I don't fly very much but I wish it was a little more fun at the airport.

[marmar]

2. So true...

Pretty soon Starbucks employees will direct us to the automated latte machine.

[Longhorn]

3. We just flew Northwest Airlines from San Antonio via Detroit

to Frankfurt. We tried to use the machines but it didn't work, perhaps because of the international flight. So on both ends, we checked in "manually" and were given boarding passes for each leg. We got great service at both locations. Maybe this is just in Detroit? I prefer to check in online or manually, too.

What I noticed about Northwest Airlines is that on each leg of the flight, we would arrive at the airport early but then have to wait for an available terminal, which means we had to sit on the plane with seatbelts on for about ten minutes. I guess the overall flight time was the same but for some reason those last ten minutes seem more frustrating than if we were moving. :shrug:

Overall, though, I can't complain. All our flights went smoothly and the food was even good!

[Justitia]

4. I don't mind them, but my 82 yr old Grandmom was totally confounded by them

last week. If I hadn't been there to help her she would still be there (we could get no counter help when the machine crapped out)!

[Patiod]

5. USAir has great folks at the auto check-in desk

For all its problems, the USAir staff I've encountered will jump in and help if your run into difficulties with the check-in machines (sometimes I forget to print my boarding pass for the return trip from my hotel or from the office where I'm working)

Why the HELL would anyone stand in a long ticketing line to check in if they are young enough to be comfortable with the technology and don't have to?

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. For the most part I'm OK with them...

but even better-- when I was flying American home from Sacramento to Dallas, I encountered one that asked me if I wanted to upgrade for like $50 or $100 more. I'd never flown first class, so I went for it. It was great.

I've been looking for that option again and haven't found it! I think it was a bonus for using the machine.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. It happens if coach is full and first class is relatively empty

Rather than fly with empty seats, the airline tries to earn a little more money.

:hi:

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. I was wondering what the secret was!

I'll have to fly in and out of Sacramento more often! The DFW flights to and from San Jose are always full! :cry:

[Obamarama]

9. I usually check in online with NW.....

Get to the airport, proceed directly to the gate and board the plane. Bypass the ticket counter AND the automatic check in machines.