A boarding pass can contain lots of useful information. But a tiny printed number may be the difference in making your flight, or getting left behind.
You may be a frequent traveler and already know about the benefits of using the SSSS security code (which can trigger additional security screenings), another code—and the order the numbers are in—can have a big impact on boarding. The sequence number or “SEQ” is a clue that’s hidden on the boarding pass. It refers to the order of passengers checking in for flights. This order can be used to determine whether a passenger is allowed to board or not.
The same sequence number is used to determine if a passenger has been involuntarily removed from a flight. according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
The DOT stated on its site that if not enough passengers are willing to give their seats up voluntarily, then an airline can deny you a place on an airplane based upon criteria it sets, such as a passenger’s check in time, fare paid or frequent flyer status.
On social media, passengers who arrived late to their flight shared their experience of being kicked off the plane. This was all due to that check-in order.
“My wife and me” [tried] Flying [from Connecticut] You can also find out more about the following: [Puerto Rico]One traveler said, “The flight was overbooked. Since we were the two last people to check in, we had to wait for boarding to be completed before we could see if any passengers did not show up.” shared in a post on Reddit. “Everyone came and said sorry, we can’t accept you.”
The passenger stated that they were able re-book their flight on a different airline, and still keep their original itinerary. However, when it comes to getting a refund, they are left to do so themselves.
The DOT has said that airlines are required to “give all passengers bumped involuntarily a statement in writing describing their rights, and explaining how they decide who gets bumped.” However, compensation is dependent on the situation.
In order to avoid being bumped and its unfortunate and stressful consequences, passengers should always try to keep their distance from the driver. check in as early as possible For their flight. It is recommended that you book your flight at least 24 hours prior to the departure time.
You can also read about our Beyond overbooked flightsWhen it comes to selecting a seat, being on time can be crucial. Check-in deadlines vary from airline to airline. It is important that travelers understand each carrier’s policy.
