FAA imposes restrictions on e-tickets

From...

By Jennifer Disabatino

(IDG) -- Passengers will find that e-tickets aren't quite the convenience they were before last week's tragedy after the Federal Aviation Administration imposes stricter airport security rules.

According to the FAA, "Only ticketed passengers with photo IDs will be allowed beyond the security checkpoint. Within certain guidelines, the airlines will determine what ticket documentation (tickets, boarding passes or reservation confirmations) their screeners will allow, so you should check with the airline in advance if you have an electronic ticket."

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Travelocity, the online travel site owned by Sabre Holdings Corp. in Forth Worth, Texas, went further and said, "The FAA will require the following from all passengers: photo ID [and] printed passenger receipt (for e-ticket/ticketless travelers) or paper ticket. If you do not have one of these documents, you will be required to go to to the ticket counter to obtain a copy."

Travelocity and the FAA recommended printing out a copy of the reservation receipt, which could be an e-mail message, although it was unclear what would constitute a valid receipt. Both sites said air travelers should check with their airlines for more information and advised that they arrive at the airport three hours before the flight departure time to allow enough time to get through the new security measures.

One company is already offering to help its corporate customers move from e-tickets to paper tickets. E-Travel Inc. in Waltham, Mass., an Internet-based service for corporate travel, said the company offers an option to its corporate customers to restrict ticketing options to paper for added security.

Curbside baggage check-in at most airports also will no longer be permitted, the FAA said, and no one without a ticket will be allowed beyond security checkpoints. No knives of any kind will be allowed on aircraft, and all carry-on baggage will be subject to search.