BristolUK

Okay, ta. I've seen the check in machines before but not used them.

Does that print a luggage label as well as the boarding card? Or is it only if no luggage? The idea of labeling your own luggage and then having it sent to Australia or somewhere by mistake is a little disconcerting.

"legged it"....that's been a long time no hear

Shirtback

I think becki is talking about the scanners when (re-)entering Canada, not check-in machines (on departure), although they are somewhat similar.

For whatever reason, neither version has ever liked or accepted my passport/documents so I tend to ignore them & head to the human beans.

"Legged it" made me grin too

Ebonhawke

There are a number of airports around the world that have the check-in kiosks (including Pearson in Toronto). A few airlines have now moved to exclusively using the kiosks for check-in (with a staff member or two hovering around the kiosks to assist). The kiosks will print luggage labels as your boarding card, and you attach the labels yourself, and then carry your luggage to a luggage drop-off location, where airline staff place your luggage on the conveyor.

I actually don't mind having the luggage label printed, as it gives you a chance to confirm the destination of your luggage (the luggage label looks exactly like the label you would get from the airline desk) - I had a flight from point A to point D, through points B and C. My luggage tag only went as far as point C. After inquiry, I found out that I had to pick up my luggage at point C, and then recheck it (new tag) for the last leg of the trip. Had I used the desk, I may have assumed that it would go all the way through, and ended up at point D with no luggage. (Ironically, I arrived at point D with no luggage, but that was because it didn't make the plane between points B and C)

Biggest stress is putting the luggage tag on, since it stresses me out a bit to not 'screw it up'

BristolUK

Self check in, no meals, extra for a bag...I wonder how long before we have to fly the plane ourselves.

Ebonhawke

With increasing connectivity of the world to the Internet, the development of VR technology - may come a time where one never needs to actually 'go' anywhere to experience it (which would be kind of sad)

Shard

I think the opposite. In spite of the technology, people will want to experience things in person (or face to face) even more. Fuel costs permitting.

caretaker

Just as he starts toward the taxi-way get all the other passengers on the junket to shout in unison "Take this plane to Cuba!"

bats

There are about 20 of those machines at Pearson and I've always been in a line up for them tho it does move fairly quickly. Then there is a line up of grim faced CBSA people who grunt at you and point you in the right direction, eith out or to the people in booths for more questions. If you mark that you have food they ask you what you have then give you a "why are you bothering me" look when you say that it's chips, or Christmas pudding, or candy.

beckiwoo

or PG Tips lol

BristolUK

My invention.

For the person who likes to dunk their biscuits but doesn't like crumbs at the bottom of their cup:

It's a sort of elongated tea-strainer and you dip your biscuit in and any crumbs or floppy bits are saved from drowning when you lift the strainer to drink your tea/coffee.

Just $39.99, two for $70. Paypal accepted.



(perhaps this should go in the retirement planning thread )

caretaker

Eddie the Eagle returns to Calgary; 'Eddie the Eagle' soars again for young fans in Calgary | CTV News

dbd33

I used to fly four, or more, legs a week until WebEx was invented. That technology allowed people to experience me without my having to go anywhere.

Siouxie

It's my brothers funeral on Friday and I won't be there.

BristolUK

Ebonhawke

By sad, I meant that there may come a time when people take 'virtual travel tours' - where they can 'walk around' say Angkor Wat, without having set foot in Cambodia - without understanding the local perspectives and challenges etc.