10 months ago a Continental check-in clerk explained, once I've swiped my passport at the airport, I will be able to check-in on-line.

This morning I got an e-mail for 24 hrs international check-in. I tried to do it 23 hrs before the first leg, but got a message "can't do".

Is this strange? I didn't even get to the page asking if I'd have luggage or not! Only the infant in lap - at my age!!

The same passport valid till December 2007, flying for 2 weeks in March 2006. Seats assigned.

Maybe because I'm flying to Israel, is there some special security concern?

I don't know about Continental but I travel on American almost exclusively and you cannot do on-line check-in for International Flights on that airline. It's because the airline is required to actually insue you have the proper ocumentation (passport) with you before you board the aircraft. I undestand they can be fined if they allow undocumented passengers to land in a foreign country. I suspect Continental is subject to the same restrictions.

Whew! Thanks a lot, A-Traveller!

Glad to help. It looks like my typing fingers/spelling were a little off!

I flew Continental (Houston to Panama) in January and checked in online. I entered passport number, birth date, etc. No one ever looked at my passport until I was ready to board the plane.

No hassle at CO.

FainaAgain - Are you going to TLV this time? Maybe that's why.

No problem using continental.com to check-in for Canada, Hong Kong and Europe many times for a long time. I think nowadays, you don't even have to have your passport pre-swiped to do international OLCI for most flights.

OK, Boomer, your post made me a bit nervous. Called Continental. They don't check on-line flights to Israel. Only at the airport.

And don't ask me why I haven't started with the call! Let's politely call that "pre-travel anxiety"

I flew United Airlines to London last fall. I was not allowed to check in online. Once I got to the Sacramento International Airport, I went to the self-check in kiosk, entered my passport number, etc., and it printed out my boarding pass with no problems. They checked my passport at the security check point before I went upstairs, but that was about it.

I don't know if Continental has those self-check in kiosks at the airport you're flying out of, but if they do, maybe you can do it that way?

Yes, they have those kiosks at SFO.

Hehehe. TLV has always been different from other destinations, when it comes to security and check-in procedure. Not just LY (El Al), but any flight going into and out of Israel.

I have checked in online the night before daytime flights from Toronto to London with Air Canada a few times without any trouble. The last time I had a new boarding pass issued (same seat) when I checked my luggage.

With Northwest, I can do online check-in once I'm inside 24 hours (for destinations other than Israel, of course). The passport has to be swiped at at the kiosk least one hour before boarding the first flight and new boarding passes are issued. (I don't know why; I just do what I'm told!)

I'm scratching my head right now - how will I get out? Should I call to confirm or what?

Hey, Flyboy, stop braggin' here

FainaAgain - Nothing you need to do now. Just do it the old fashion way. Go to the airport a little early. They will have check-in agents behind the kiosks. If you can't get your BP printed by yourself, they'll help you with it.

faina, pardon my intrusion here, but have to ask rkkwan a question.

rk, how do you like the e4c? i am getting ready to buy it. do you still think they are fab?

kuranosuke - Yes, they are the best headphones I've ever had. I paid about $180, and think they're worth every penny. Now, for the list price of $299, I'm not so sure.

FainaAgain - Enjoy your trip to Israel!

blast! you're right. no $170 anymore. i saw them as you said on shipdog, but now, none, and $299 on ecost.

well, thats what i get for procrastinating. i'll just wait and see what happens next. thanks.