Check In
You are probably not going to like my answer, but the truth is not all airports have express lines. Unless you have MVP or MVP Gold status, I don't know why you would expect it. You are traveling internationally Canada to Mexico and it is not unusal to require a face to face check in so that the employee can view the picture and enter the passport number. Some airlines have kiosks where this can be done but that would be the exception and not the rule. Alaska does have an express line in Chicago and as an MVP Gold I can use first class check in anywhere they have a class differentiated check in or I can do cubside check in and avoid the check in counter altogether. I think, rather than reflecting upon the inconvenience of standing in line, reflect on what happens if you had to stand in line without first being checked in. You needed to be there at least 2 hours in advance for an international flight and it is suggested 3 hours in advance. If you were there on time, standing in line just helped to pass the time. If you weren't there on time, at least you had the satisfaction of knowing that you were still checked in. Many airlines (United for one) closes off check in up to an hour in advance. Imagine standing in that line knowing you couldn't get to the front before the 1 hour is up and still not being checked in. Again, some airlines would cancel your ticket and sell if off to someone else. Sure it would be great if you were flying out of Hong Kong where you can check your bags and check in even before you get to the airport, but, of course, you aren't there. If you are flying out of Bozeman, MT you are standing in line because they only have one check in counter- forget the one line- I mean just one check-in station with one employee checking in everyone. Having had to stand in line many times before I became an elite, I really don't feel much empathy for you. If you don't like web check in, don't do it next time and see how you like the result. As i mentioned before you also probably got extra miles for the web check in. As an elite on Alaska and United, I'll tell you what irritates me- that is when I am standing in the elite check in or security line and the TSA diverts people without status into my line causing a bit of a delay, just so they can get those without status through the line. Nothing will slow down a line faster than the infrequent traveler.
