[jimworcs]

How would it be "common sense" for a customer who is unfamiliar with the procedures for checking in using a kiosk system to not follow the instructions on the screen.

How hard would it be for a screen message to state,

"If you have a bag ensure it is tagged, then proceed through security" or something similar.

The airlines cannot just sack staff and replace them with machines unless the machines can fulfill all the requirements. In many cases they cannot and it is imcumbant upon the service provider to ensure that they care capable of providing the service.

Ryanair (US citizens, count yourself lucky you don't have them.. they are probably even worse than Delta! Yeah, really.. that BAD) recently stranded 700 passengers at Stansted when their kiosks and bag drop off system was unable to cope. It was taking in excess of 3 hours just to drop off a bag, even when passengers had checked in online. For some passengers they were offered a replacement flight 7 days later with no compensation. The sooner we get a class action lawsuit the better; some of these systems amount to fraud.