Your ID and covid certificate was checked at the check in, no? There is no second check at the gate... is that your point? The ID was never checked at the gate unless there are some countries with special regulations... like the US.
You will be mandated on at least one leg of your journey ... most of the time, outgoing I don't have to show anything - but on my return journey, I am unable to check in online and have to go to the desk in the airport. Basically Swiss doesn't mind if you go spread Covid in another country, but you better not be bringing it back.
First I upload my documents (COVID Vaxx certificate, US attestation, COVID test result) to their document check facility.
Then again at check-in I was asked for my docs.
In November I was asked to show my docs again at the lounge, there was a desk just before security.
So checked three times in all.
On the other hand:
On arrival to the US, with Global Traveler, I only had to breeze by the kiosk, take a photo, and go on my merry way.
Sure, Global Traveler has my passport and flight details, but they don't have my COVID docs... so that was a surprise. I'm guessing because you can't get on the plane without apprpriate COVID docs they don't re-check?
C’mon. Why would a black hat fly to France? Much cheaper to drive and you can take all your contraband with you? The Crassy/Crassier crossing near us is NEVER manned by the French. The Swiss only man it on Divonne Market days.
Everyone boarding the airplanes have been through Security, passengers have little to worry about from other passengers.
P.S. They do spot checks, but they won’t tell you when and how.
The only reason for checking ID is to make sure the airline won't be laible for a fine for bringing someone into another country with incorrect or no documents. This doesn't apply in Schengen so no need for checks. You can be pretty sure your credit card ID was checked for any possible security issues when you booked though. Fly outside Schengen and they will normally check.
A little surprised by Corona. Flying itself is not 3G, therefore no more requirements for the flight than for travelling by train. But given France require a test before entry I'd have thought that might be checked to avoid any penalty for the airline.
If the French haven’t told Swiss they require them to check, then they are not required to check. That doesn’t mean that passengers are not obliged to follow the rules, just that the airline(s) don’t have to check.
How does one upload docs to LX? 3 of us (incl 1 8-yo autistic child) are flying LCY-ZRH-LAX next week. ESTA in order. Appointment with local chemist for COVID test (£50, there are cheaper online ways but we are doing this). Attestation OK. LX say b/c we’re in transit (C-class using Mileage Plus miles) no checks in Switzerland. (Really? LCY is pretty primitive)
LAX has test sites for the return. $80 each.
Having been bounced from a flight ZRH-LHR b/c doctor’s lab didn’t email test result in time, and having had to spend night in ZRH Radisson Blu I dont want to repeat the experience.
P.S. We are getting the 8 yo kiddo vaccinated in LA. We are triple vaxed, hope they accept our NHS app to prove it. In LA even illegal aliens can get vaxed.
At one time the airlines cared more about passengers’ names matching the names on the tickets. This to prevent a secondary market. Most of the network airlines have given up on this. I’m fairly certain that many of the so-called low cost airlines continue the practice.
Flying from Frankfurt to Schengen for years there have been electric gates to let you on the airplane, just scan your boarding card. Speeds up the process and reduces queues.
Wrong. ID should always be checked on boarding to ensure the person that checked in is the person boarding the flight. This is a security issue to do with terrorism!
I worked in aviation in the U.K. and we did this for that exact reason. Someone could check in to a flight with a bomb, then get someone to unknowingly board the aircraft in their place. If they just didn’t board the bag would be off-loaded. Reduces options for terrorists.