Virgin Check-In Checking Out?!

Just completed the Virgin Online Check In for the first time and I am writing to ask what ultimately is the choice other than an having the ability to "choose" an unconfirmed seat... You don't even get to print your own Boarding Passes! What is going on? Did I do something wrong? Seem's online check in is helping Virgin and not the customer... I still got to "Check-In" my bags and myself in the form of getting my tickets...

[mitchja]

You can't print your own boarding card with the VS online check-in.

Even with the airlines where you can print your own boarding cards, you still have to drop your bag off at a desk at the airport dont you.

The only time this is of any benefit, is if you are travelling with hand luggage only (which I dont think many people do on a long haul flight do they [:?])

I've done this on several BA and BMI domestic flights and it's great, as you walk straight to the departure gate.

Regards

Now my only hope is that the Virgin Online Check In Fast Bag Drop Line will indeed be fast and not make me queue...

Virgin mainly operates on Longish routes so I don't understand why bother with this service of Online Check In...

Had me all excited to - least I moved myself to more towards the front of the plane rather than the allocated rear seats I got originally - but in any event these type of things are rarely ever "concrete" anyways - where you reassign yourself seats but we'll see!

Loads of people use DIY check in, also many people are checked in by other carriers such as bmi, emirates etc, so this reduces the amount of seats anyway at check in on the day.

At least by checking in upto 24 hours before will increase your chances of where you can sit, instead of the check in agent choosing it for you.

I've also qondered quite why it's even worth bothering, and I'm also curious as to why it asks for information you've already provided - such as address in the US. I can understand this if you haven't already provided the info, but ask for it twice [n]- well why????

[Nottingham Nick]

The main obvious benefit when you are travelling in Y, is that you avoid the massive snaking queues at the economy check ins at LHR and LGW.

If the 'fast bag drop' turns out to be a misnomer, then - for a solo passenger - it doesn't really gaiin a lot.

For groups / families however, it is another way of TRYING to ensure you are sitting together.

Nick

The once I used the OLCI and bag drop the queue was much shorter than even the PE line - so it was well worth doing.

Originally posted by JohnD
The once I used the OLCI and bag drop the queue was much shorter than even the PE line - so it was well worth doing.

Indeed... on my recent UC flight to NY, the fast bag drop queue had only a few people in it... whereas UC check-in was 30 people deep!

Last summer we got stuck in a traffic jam that had completely messed up all of west London, thanks to an accident on the M4. We were tailed back right the way from embankment out to nearly heathrow. We ended up missing our flight to SFO by 1 minute! We got to the checkin desk and had started the procedure but the computer locked the agent out before they could complete checking us in. We ended up being transferred onto a later flight to LAX - which was better than having to wait until the next day.
However, had we checked in online earlier, then we'd have been ok. I even called the Flying Club, and she tried to check me in online over the phone, but I think it locks you out from OLCI 2 or 3 hours before departure.
Incidentally, does anyone know if OLCI diminishes your chance of an op-up?:)