Man fined for using another person's boarding pass

[Tooner]

From ABC news:
Top Stories: Man convicted for using friend's boarding pass


A Melbourne man who arranged for another man to give him his airline boarding pass has been convicted in Hobart under laws designed to crack down on terrorists. Elie Mekhael, 24, is the first person convicted in Tasmania of using false identification information at an airport. The Commonwealth law designed to target terrorists and organised crime was only introduced last November. Mekhael flew to Hobart in July because he wanted to reconcile with his grandmother who was dying. When the reconciliation was not successful, he decided to return to Melbourne immediately. He returned to the airport within hours, but did not have money or identification. He arranged for a friend of a friend to buy a ticket and give him the boarding pass. The court heard there was no allegation of terror...


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Man convicted for using friend's boarding pass - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Hvr]

An interesting article. I wonder why the friend simply didn't purchase the ticket in the passenger's name?

And how was he detected? Wonder what airline he was flying?

 

[samh004]

I was talking about this only recently. Strange that it's only a relatively recent change to the law, considering terrorism involving planes isn't new. Not sure there'll be much discussion though, as members might not want to be caught out for past flights when it was 'legal' though probably not per the airlines T&C's.

Interesting to know that it'll cost you $500, slightly more than a ticket name change (but if you can't change the name as it's a cheapie...)

An interesting article. I wonder why the friend simply didn't purchase the ticket in the passenger's name?

And how was he detected? Wonder what airline he was flying?

I'd imagine he returned to the airport and tried to get a flight, but with no money or ID was refused, phoned a friend and then when he saw said staff again they remembered him.

 

[Simo]

The airlines are to blame for this practise as the cost of name changes are very high and border on extortion of the paxs.

Simple change can cost more than the original fare.

 

[fersea]

I guess the flip side to that is you would basically create a market for scalping otherwise. There was an article in the paper the other day about scalpers buying massive amount of hard to get concert tickets or the like either using bots or cheap labour to purchase tickets quickly and then sell on eBay for a profit.

If I could do name changes easily what's to stop me buying 100 seats when Jetstar have $9 sales and selling them for $40 closer to the date.

 

[samh004]

If I could do name changes easily what's to stop me buying 100 seats when Jetstar have $9 sales and selling them for $40 closer to the date.

Most here would rather keep the seats and fly with all that personal space, but I understand what you mean

 

[opusman]

How can "knowing the identities of passengers" be "an important part of maintaining air safety" when no ID checks are performed and online check-in means virtually no contact with airline staff whatsoever?

If it was me I'd definitely be appealing.

 

[MarkD]

Haven't had photo ID checked in years, even when checking luggage, just hand over WP card and it's done. More to the story I think, maybe he ranted and carried on like a cough, and gave them a reason to remember him, who knows

 

[samh004]

Haven't had photo ID checked in years, even when checking luggage, just hand over WP card and it's done. More to the story I think, maybe he ranted and carried on like a cough, and gave them a reason to remember him, who knows

At some stage in the past Qantas said your membership card was valid ID (despite lack of photo)... so surely that's a big loophole, not that I want it to shut, but anyone could travel with JUST someone else's QF card and that should count as ID?!

 

[thedrivesman]

it's a couple, of years since I checked in for a Jetstar flight at HBA, but I was asked for photo ID there.
When I mentioned I had checked in the other way (SYD-HBA) without ID, I was told it was a legal requirement for check-in staff to positively ID a passenger, so staff at SYD were acting illegally.
However, I have checked in with QF flights on-line and then checked bags in with my SmartTag and no-one checks your ID, it relies on the QFF card. That beggars a few questions?

 

[Simo]

I have done countless domestic flights and never gave ID and have checked both on line and at the lounge or check in counter with just my Q card.

Most of us here would be the same.

You can also do customs with the smart gate between certain countries.

One of our AFFer's I remember saying he went to AKL and back never dealt with a customs officer.

 

[fersea]

One of our AFFer's I remember saying he went to AKL and back never dealt with a customs officer.

Yes but you put the passport in the machine and it the scans your face. If there wasn't a match it wouldnt let you through.

 

[fersea]

I guess when using some one else's boarding pass you definitely don't want to be a DYKWIA!!

 

[Simo]

Yes but you put the passport in the machine and it the scans your face. If there wasn't a match it wouldnt let you through.

Yes understand that but if it was there twin or close match it could happen.

 

[fersea]

Yes understand that but if it was there twin or close match it could happen.

No more or less than the human customs officer.

 

[Simo]

No more or less than the human customs officer.

BP and passport not checked that they are the same.

 

[anat0l]

I think staff (airlines) have responsibilities with respect to IDs and pax and so forth, but most take a very lax view of it and it appears that the regulators couldn't give a stuff.

But, if you get caught, you get caught.

Have a few terrorism incidents on the domestic network and we may face a new regime like in America where someone sits in front of security to match your ID with your BP, and non-flying passengers will no longer be allowed in the sterile area.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Voting without ID... Flying without ID... Large credit card purchases without ID... Welcome to Australia!

I've had international flights on QF where my passport wasn't required at check in.

 

[AstroDamo]

BP and passport not checked that they are the same.

Every international flight I've ever been on the staff require the boarding pass and passport opened to the photo page, you wouldn't of got on the plane in the first place.

 

[fersea]

Every international flight I've ever been on the staff require the boarding pass and passport opened to the photo page, you wouldn't of got on the plane in the first place.

Exactly.

And remember it is a risk management thing. There is not a lot of illegal activity that takes place between Aus and NZ. CItizens are basically allowed to come and go as they please now. (you have to have an AUS or NZ passport to use smart gate)

I think you would be surprised just how much checking is done by immigration authorities behind the scenes.