Just theoretical question but for domestic flight within the US, when you enter the gate for security check, you just need to show your ID/ driver license. When you are boarding the plane, they just need to scan your ticket either in paper form or on the phone. They never match the name on your flight ticket with your identification, does that mean, if you buy a non-refundable ticket and you could not make it, you can easily transfer or sell your ticket to someone of interest to travel to the destination?
In: Technology
When the TSA runs your ID, they are verifying that you are scheduled to get on a plane in the near future. The person who buys your ticket would also need to buy a ticket that would justify them getting past security. This could still be a worthwhile trade if your ticket is much more expensive than the cheapest dummy ticket they could buy, but it narrows the margin quite a bit (especially because most airlines will take a ticket back for full credit in future flights with that airline).
In the US, TSA checks the ID you present at the security checkpoint against the names of passengers with a checked in flight. At most airports now, TSA doesn’t even need to see a boarding pass since looking up your name will tell them if you have a flight.
If there’s any mismatch, you won’t be allowed to clear security.
After security, it’s assumed that someone who has a boarding pass is that named passenger.
Curious. In Canada, the (TSA-equivalent) only scans your boarding pass, and the airline gate attendants check both before you board.
I just realized. If you wanted someone you know to use your plane ticket your friend could get past security with a refundable ticket many hours later and then cancel it. Past security they could get on the plane with your boarding pass, couldn’t they?
The opposite is true of some international travel now. I’ve flown to Europe without once showing my boarding pass in the airport (except to prove to the nametag by the rope line that I have Pre-Check). Retinal scan + PPort verification at TSA, Photo + PPort validation at the gate to board. No boarding pass interaction at all.
I live in the EU and I’ve been on planes within Schengen where no one has even checked my ID. Boarding pass on phone, straight through security and to the gate. Done. I’m always a little shocked.
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It depends where you’re flying out of. Some places the TSA looks it up with ID. Other places you have to present ID and ticket.
This is pretty new: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tsa-is-no-longer-scanning-boarding-passes-at-these-airports
If TSA isn’t checking your ticket, it’s cause they’re using a newer system.
To answer the last part of your question, airlines don’t allow any name changes (i.e. transfers) of tickets from one person to another
Custom is getting like this as well. Recently got off a cruise ship, and I didn’t have to show a passport or anything. Simply stand in front of the camera for a couple seconds and the software scanned my face and matched it to the passport database, and I carried on with my day.
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