Encore

I have read that one needs a written e ticket confirmation in order to get into the IG International Terminals.
We are non rev standby travellers who never have issued tickets. Can anyone shed some light on if this will be an issue with security.
Surely one has to be able to get to the check in counters without clearing a security checkpoint..
"Maybe not, and don't call me Shirley"

dogster

Hi Encore: what is 'non rev standby travellers who never have issued tickets'?

non-reServed, standby?

No attitude here, but care to share why you travel like this in India? Or anywhere?

I can shed some light on this issue security-wise. You won't get in the door of ANY airport in India without a ticket and your passport. Full stop. No discussion.

However your Airline de Standby may well have an office window outside the terminal entrances. If you are airline crew then there'll be a system - but you can't be that, otherwise you wouldn't be in here.

Cicerone, correct me if I'm wrong on I.G. Really, I'm just fascinated to know the rationale behind this way of travel. Is it kinda like 'The Amazing Race'?

Cranachin

Dogster--

"Non rev" is non-revenue (typically passes issued to airline employees for them to give to family and friends).

Because they are standby, there is no ticket. You are allowed on a flight if there is room.

Because they are non rev, you have the lowest priority for standing by and can very easily be left at the gate due to a full flight.

At least that is how I understand them to work.

Encore

Cranachin is right. Non revs travel witout reservations - stand by only. We show up at the ticket counter and if there is space available, we fly. If not, we hang out for awhile. Reason for doing it is it is inexpensive and you don't have to make long term travel plans.
I'll check with the airline. I had heard that about the "no ticket, no entry policy" but I thought there must be a way to get to the check in counter.

lcuy

I'd get something in writing from the airlines confirming how you travel. The airports in India are pretty strict, but we got in once with a reservation print out- not an e-ticket- becasue I couldn't find a printer after we bought the ticket referred to in my reservation sheet.

Cicerone

Just to help you understand the situation, at all Indian airports, there are army personnel (with large weapons) standing at the entrance doors to every terminal checking tickets and passports. Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside the terminals. So you cannot get to the check-in counters without a ticket. If you come to the airport without a ticket, there are ticket booths/windows <i>outside</i> the terminals where you can buy tickets. So my first thought is that is where you would go as a non-rev passengers to be issued tickets.

Otherwise, is there some sort of written letter you would have or could get issued on airline stationery which indicates your status? I would think this plus your passport (plus possibly a little chutzpah) may get you past the army at the door. I have not had an issue getting into airports with unused tickets or e-tickets for flights for previous dates for which I had changed the reservation on the phone, but did not have a re-issued ticket or e-ticket. Indians like paper, so if you have a paper, esp. on airline letterhead, this would probably suffice to get you through the door. I also think a non-Indian passport helps.

Also, if someone from the airline could meet you at the door and escort you in that may help; or if you can use a crew entrance, that may help too. I imagine that there are Indians flying nonrev as well so you a not going to be the first people presenting them with this situation.