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8 Airports Dial Digital Boarding

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By NEIL JOHNSON

njohnson@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2008

TAMPA - A paperless boarding pass that uses cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices being tested at eight U.S. airports will expand to Cleveland today.

The program will come to the Orlando International Airport but a Delta Airlines spokeswoman did not know when. Delta has been testing the system since June.
Tampa International Airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said it wasn't clear when the system might be used in Tampa.

The Transportation Security Administration and three airlines are testing the program. Passengers can download their boarding pass to cell phones or personal digital assistants, and it will show up as an encrypted bar code.

Security officers at checkpoints will use a scanner to read the bar code. It will display the passenger's name and flight information. Passengers still will have to provide matching identification, such as a driver's license.
Continental Airlines uses the system at six of the eight airports where it is being tested. It started using the bar code boarding passes in December at its hub in Houston. It plans to add the program at the Cleveland airport today.

About 300,000 passengers have used it, said airline spokeswoman Mary Clark. Airlines in Europe already use the pass, she said.

"It's something we've been interested in for our customers who want to make use of their telephone's technology," Clark said.

The system mostly targets seasoned travelers accustomed to using mobile devices. A passenger with only carry-on luggage does not have to stop to get a pass and can go directly to the gate. The system is designed only for direct, domestic flights.

In addition to airports at Houston, Continental passengers can use the paperless boarding pass at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Logan International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio International Airport.
Northwest Airlines passengers can use it at Indianapolis International Airport, and Delta Airlines employs the system at LaGuardia Airport.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

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