[MartynSinclair]

Nick, moving to an empty seat is one thing, switching boarding cards with another passenger, without the knowledge of the crew, is something else, espcially in the states and especially when you have checked bagage.

I am not trying to make an issue with your post, but just telling you how it is, especially in the states.

[NickDTo81]

Ah ok. I don’t think I ever intend to actually switch boarding cards, that definitely sounds like a big no-no, especially on an international flight.

ps. All my travel is between Canada and all over the USA.

[MartynSinclair]

Nick, how would you swop seats without swopping boarding cards with your friend?

[NickDTo81]

Nick: Hey mike, i’m in 1A, go ahead and sit there. Where are you sitting?
Mike: I’m in 23F, enjoy the back of the bus.

Won’t work? Am I missing something? Do FAs walk around checking boarding cards?

[MartynSinclair]

FA: Mr Mike, welcome to 1A, may I see you boarding card please

Mr Mike: Sure, its in my friends name, he’s sitting in 23F

As I infered, in the rest of the world, this is not likely to cause a problem, however, the USA currently believes it rules the world and therefore does what they want, when they want and how they want.

I am sure you will not have a problem, but remember that switching boarding cards could get you thrown off the airplane. As previous posters have suggested, clear it at the gate first, to avoid any potential problems.

[RichHI1]

Do not forget whilst scheming one’s schemes that unless the passenger boarding in front of you is also in First and there is only one flight attendant at the door to check BP’s, on BA you will be escorted to your seat and then greeted by a flight attendant, who knows your name and certain other details from the manifest. So they will be very aware in F that you have changed.

[conair346]

Off topic slightly…
MartynSinclair: “I am sure that nothing will happen and all will be well, but in US airpspace, the rules are taken far more seriously than anywhere else”
Just a little issue… across many regions it is not permitted to let a bag travel unaccompanied, unless the bag has been displaced from its passenger whereby it is screened from at least two different x-ray angles or searched by hand – they are known as Rush bags. If a bag travelled unaccompanied into the US, or even left the UK to anywhere an investigation would take place as it is likely a security breach has occurred.

Lo and behold in the US they can do anything. Its not unknown for both domestic and international flights have bags onboard without the associated passenger for a number of reasons. The bags have not been subject to additional screening and the passengers may even have taken a different route to the final destination. This is simply not permitted into the US.
One rule for one, another for the rest.

On topic…
RichHI1: “that way your bags are attached to the right seat”
Bags are never attached to a seat. Airline bookings are complex databases that start with the passenger so from that a seat is attached to the passenger and a bag is attached to the passenger. Hence duplicate bag id’s and seat numbers should not be possible in a properly built DCS. Swapping seats in no way affects your luggage, the only time there may be an issue is when the person you swap with doesn’t travel and it appears you are not onboard from the empty seat – a good boarding team will realise a swap has occurred when its your friends boarding card that has not been pulled.

As mentioned, just have a brief word with crew if its not possible at check in. Crew are generally fine and the simple way to explain is not to over embellish or get complicated – “Hi, I’d like to sit in my friends seat so he can experience first/business. Thanks” I’d hate to find someone who doesn’t understand that statement.

[RichHI1]

Conair you are right, my wording was imprecise, Bags and Seats link back to the PNR. I was attempting to show the relationship between seat and bags so that the checking you mention can be enabled, without adding complications like what the PNR is and how it is used in the varying systems..
After the shoe bomber and the freight incidents it was my understanding that the UK had also tightened up on hold security.
As to your advice to ask the crew, there we differ, my experience tells me otherwise. Any CSD’s wants to comment?

[MartynSinclair]

Conair – can you nake this paragraph a little clearer, vert interesting post

“Lo and behold in the US they can do anything. Its not unknown for both domestic and international flights have bags onboard without the associated passenger for a number of reasons. The bags have not been subject to additional screening and the passengers may even have taken a different route to the final destination. This is simply not permitted into the US.”

…..as more and more times, bags and pax are not travelling together in the USA……or entering the US.

many thanks

I think the original post has been totally flogged to death, I beleive the general consensus is that cabin crew/gate staff should be spoken to prior to boarding cards being switched.

[RichHI1]

Yes I too would appreciate some more detail as I feel uncomfortable when posters make broad statements on law, policies or practice without specifics.
I have experience of my lost bags being sent by BA on different services ex LHR to Europe but I would not be able to advise whether these bags were subject to additional screening. I suspect that when T5 opened and everything went badly wrong some policy implementations may have changed.
My only direct knowledge is the recent TSA firing in HNL for TSA agents failing to screen every bag so as to meet throughput targets, this was an official TSA report so I feel comfortable mentioning it here.
Obviously usch details should not compromise your cloak of anonymity…

[Flyboy18]

VK…god you really dont listen to people on here do you…thinking you are always right….you must be BA management or should be….not that you would admit to it!

[theavidtraveller]

I’ve swapped seats with my dad before. No problems, just swap your boarding pass. However, often they’ll check your name against the manifest to address you as ‘Mr Nick’… if your friend doesn’t look like a Mr Nick then then may ask some questions. Even so, it should be ok.

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