Originally Posted by
⌐ AV8OR WANNABE
Well, try to tell that to SWA, NWA and AA gate agents, jumped on those airlines recently and all of them wanted to see our (there were several of us) passports...
Originally Posted by
Sniper
Many airlines that had CASS prior to the changeover didn't want to change their systems (time and $), but it's not required anymore.
WN, NW, and AA all had CASS prior to the color photo and non-passport requirement (as did UPS). They likely didn't revamp their systems to get rid of the passport field, nor were they required to (or, they did revamp their systems but the gate agents ask out of habit or b/c they were never trained on the lack requirement for a passport). They are required to display a color photo, which they weren't prior to the change. Asking for passports isn't prohibited, but it's not a required part of the system anymore. The change happened Sept. 23rd, 2006. Fed Ex, I believe, was the first to go to the color photos. Many airlines didn't have the ability to send color photos @ the time though, which meant no access to Fed Ex, even if your carrier was CASS. Now every CASS carrier is required to be able to send a color photo to be in CASS.
If you know of an airport that has really old computers (green screens), go try to use CASS there - you can't. Doesn't matter if your passport # and name comes up on the screen. Color photo or CASS can't verify you.