# Paper airline tickets - horrible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 2, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847 "2021-08-02T04:44:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/21 "2021-08-02T15:24:13Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Don’t forget, the activities mocked in those commercials aren’t _bad,_ they’re just evidence that we’re turning into our parents. > > Since I’m in the midst of doing just that, I think they’re hilarious, and we need more of them. Yeah, those commercials are hilarious and so truthful. Some people just like to be offended. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/22 "2021-08-02T15:28:24Z")
I remember the first time I saw the “who else reads books about submarines?” one, it was just after I had put my son to bed… and I was watching Hunt for Red October. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/23 "2021-08-02T15:35:51Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I find those commercials irritating, condescending, and stereotyping. I think they’re hilarious. They’re the only commercials I won’t mute, on the rare occasion I’m watching something with commercials. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/24 "2021-08-02T16:05:16Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I remember the first time I saw the “who else reads books about submarines?” one, it was just after I had put my son to bed… and I was watching Hunt for Red October. We laughed at the commercial, because the only book we could remember my dad reading was Hunt for Red October. And, again, nothing _wrong_ with books about submarines, it’s just a “turning into your father” thing (and it certainly would be for me… if I ever decide to read THAT book, I’ll be mocked by the entire family). ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/25 "2021-08-02T16:11:41Z")
“Remember, they’re not programs, they’re TV shows.” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/26 "2021-08-02T16:20:16Z")
Why exactly ARE they “TV shows”, when most of these young “not-your-parents” stream everything on their phones? They should be “phone shows”, amirite? don’t be coy! And why is opening a pdf such a dad thing? I seem to remember that the SD always needed a warning for pdfs, so maybe, but really, you click on it. How is that a “dad” problem? And packing your own snacks for travel? Sure, millenials, buy overpriced food in the gift shop, or on the plane, No wonder you have no money. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/27 "2021-08-02T16:42:34Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Taking those 15 cushions off that couch. The wife is like that with the pillows on the cushions. I always laugh when that part comes on, but she doesn’t find it funny. But I am having constantly to toss some pillows just so I can sit down. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/28 "2021-08-02T16:46:41Z")
The last time I flew, I printed out a paper ticket. I was lucky I was staying at a place with a printer, however, as I could have been stranded if I was still using my flip phone. The commercial is silly. Reading a bar code or QR code on a ticket is just as easy if the ticket is on paper or if the ticket is in an email. Same thing with movie tickets, which are much less secure but offer the same choice. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/29 "2021-08-02T16:47:38Z")
What is wrong with calling them “programs”? I mean, yes, Paper Tickets are obsolete. But I doubt if anyone would have them. Those things _are_ portrayed as being “wrong” as stuff no one should want to do. That makes them stereotyping and bigoted. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/30 "2021-08-02T17:14:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Paper tickets, wow … I totally forgot about those. I’m not sure when I last use an actual paper ticket. My guess is early 2000s. I remember my last paper ticket—in 2002, for a trip to Europe. That was also my last time using a travel agency. As for boarding passes, I always print them out before heading to the airport. However, after that stern reprimand from Dr. Rick, I may try using my phone on my next trip. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/31 "2021-08-02T17:20:11Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > As for boarding passes, I always print them out before heading to the airport. However, after that stern reprimand from Dr. Rick, I may try using my phone on my next trip. No, Print them. If you can’t get reception . you can’t get into the boarding area. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/32 "2021-08-02T17:27:49Z")
You put your boarding passes on dead trees? Why not chisel them into stone tablets instead? > [@DrDeth](#): > > If you can’t get reception . you can’t get into the boarding area. That’s why you take a screenshot of the boarding pass. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/33 "2021-08-02T17:49:47Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > The last time I flew, I printed out a paper ticket. It’s unlikely you printed out a paper ticket. Are you sure it wasn’t a boarding pass? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/34 "2021-08-02T17:55:02Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > That’s why you take a screenshot of the boarding pass. Unless your battery dies. And quite frankly, from what I’ve seen the scanners are a lot less finicky with paper boarding passes than phone screens. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/35 "2021-08-02T17:56:23Z")
That. I don’t really know what the difference is. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/36 "2021-08-02T17:56:28Z")
Yes, and what is so wrong with belt and suspenders here? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/37 "2021-08-02T17:56:45Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Unless your battery dies. And quite frankly, from what I’ve seen the scanners are a lot less finicky with paper boarding passes than phone screens If my batter dies on the way to the plane, I’ve just lost my reading material and video entertainment for the flight. I take plenty of care to ensure that doesn’t happen already, I don’t also need to keep track of a piece of paper. I’ve never had issues with the scanners being finicky but ymmv. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/38 "2021-08-02T17:57:29Z")
The ticket is proof you paid. The boarding pass allows you into the boarding area and onto the plane. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/39 "2021-08-02T18:06:55Z")
Why are these two separate things? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847/40 "2021-08-02T18:12:39Z")
For one thing, I can buy an airline ticket but never get a boarding pass issued. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-airline-tickets-horrible/947847.md?page=3)