treocentral.com >> Stories >> Business
Check in at the Airport Using Your Mobile Device

Thu Mar 20, 2008 - 8:43 AM EDT - By Jennifer Chappell


Overview

Susan Stellin of The New York Times has written an interesing article on technology at airport terminals.

Susan says that with 80 percent of passengers using self-service options such as Web check-ins, the next step is electronic boarding passes, which pretty much turn hand-hand devices and mobile phones of travelers into their boarding passes.

According to the article, at least half a dozen airlines in the United States currently allow customers to check in using their mobile devices including American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest and Alaska. Continental seems to be the only carrier in the United States so far to begin testing the electronic passes, which allows travelers to pass through security and board their plane without having to handle a piece of paper.

Susan stated:

Their boarding pass is an image of an encrypted bar code displayed on the phone’s screen, which can be scanned by gate agents and security personnel.

She goes on to say that when using the other airline's mobile check-in services, customers still have to print a boarding pass at an airport kiosk. Most carriers are eager to eliminate this step though once the Transportation Security Administration gives its approval.

According to the article, the technology being tested by Continental uses a two-dimensional encrypted bar code, which is much tougher to copy than the one-dimensional bar code used by many airlines for boarding passes printed online. That's is a major reason the T.S.A. is expected to embrace the technology.

Andrea McCauley, a T.S.A. spokeswoman was quoted in the article:

“We’ve seen indications that terrorists might seek to use fake boarding passes to attempt to enter the security line,” Ms. McCauley said. “When we scan the bar code, we know if it’s been manipulated or if someone has tried to manipulate it in any way.”

A big Thanks to Annie for sending me the story! ;-)




Creating smartphone communities
Android Central - Android reviews, news and forums Crackberry - Blackberry news, reviews and community TiPb - iPhone news, accessory reviews & forums
Pre Central - Palm Pre Review, News and Community Treo Central - Treo & Centro News and Forums WMExperts - Windows Mobile Reviews & News

Copyright 1999-2009 TreoCentral. All rights reserved : Terms of Use : Privacy Policy

TREO and TreoCentral are trademarks or registered trademarks of palm, Inc. in the United States and other countries;
the TreoCentral mark and domain name are used under license from palm, Inc.
The views expressed on this website are solely those of the proprietor, or
contributors to the site, and do not necessarily reflect the views of palm, Inc.

Explore more: The iPhone Blog | WM Experts | Crackberry | CentroSpot | Android Central
Smartphone Accessories: Windows Mobile Accessories | iPhone Accessories | Blackberry Accessories
Fuze Accessories | G1 Accessories | Xperia Accessories | Touch Accessories | Instinct Accessories
Bold Accessories | Blackjack Accessories | HTC Accessories | Centro Accessories | Motorola Q Accessories
Mogul Accessories | Tilt Accessories | Nokia n95 Accessories | Duo Accessories | Verizon XV Accessories
Dash Accessories | Shadow Accessories | Voyager Accessories | Venus Accessories | Touch Accessories
Curve Accessories | Dare Accessories | Venus Accessories | Curve Accessories | Bold Accessories
Omnia Accessories | Incite Accessories | Epix Accessories | Saga Accessories Pre Accessories