Flight legal requirements

[Janis]

Thank you all for this thread! I submitted ours yesterday after reading the posts. I'd had the usual confirmation email from Thomsons after I paid in full last month but didn't bother reading the small print below...  I've now clicked on the link and sorted it.
When we booked flights only through Easyjet for Sept/Oct we were asked for our passpost info at the time

Janis x

[Dave n Anne]

Hi all and thanks , like Janis we booked with easyjet for Corfu in may and Athens/Mykonos in august and were asked for the info straight away . I also booked flights to Kefalonia in July for 10 people and after reading this thread combed the e-mails and found no reference to the API so today i rang and guess what , they said there should have been a link on the confirmation but there was'nt . So he re-sent it and i now have to fill in the forms , but better that than turning up with 9 friends and just imagine the horror . So many thanks .

Yammas

Dave

[justphil]

Like our Erja, we couldn't complete the booking with EasyJet without filling in the "API." They may have upset me a lot, and many others, by pretending to cancel our flights, but they got it right on API.

[kes]

We booked  easyjet... and the API form came up after the booking confirmation ..

[Anne]

OOOOOOOOOOO I cant remember if I have done it - must check!!! Dont want to turn up at the airport and see Kes and Kath get on the flight and leave us behind lol x

[kes]

Ohh..... Just remembered we  are on same flight....
Must have a pre flight drink or two?

[GaryS]

Hi All,

Everyone excited that the sun is out and it actually feels like spring is on the way? We do and only just over 11 weeks till Arillas

I understand this API thing is important, so can anyone tell me why when you log onto the Thomas Cook site, go to the the section for API information input it says

"If you are having difficulties in entering your API details please do not be concerned as this information will be collected at check-in as part of the normal check-in procedure. If you require general information please see the help button above. Please note that API details are being collected for Thomas Cook Airlines and Monarch Airlines only - if you are travelling with any other carrier booked through Thomas Cook these details will be collected at check-in"

I as part of my job make half a dozen trips into Europe each year, 2 already this year and on no occasion have I been delayed, charged or even asked about this data. There seems to be an enormous grey area regarding this requirement.

Are some travel companies trying to catch people out with a stealth tax?

[iluvsangeorge]

GazCaz
It isn't a tax as you are only required to give information. For Flights to Greece it has applied since 1 April 2010.
The instructions are confused and you can of course  do it at check-in. However if you click on the 'Help' button on the Thomas Cook web-page you mention it takes you a full page of FAQs.

This is the answer to the relevant question from there:
"We strongly recommend you provide your Advanced Passenger Information at least 7 days before you are due to travel. If there is any irregularity or information missing, we may be able to notify you before it is too late to correct. To minimise inconvenience and delays at check-in, the priority of our airport staff will be to collect Advanced Passenger Information from customers who booked within 7 days of travel. If you booked more than 7 days before departure and have failed to provide your Advanced Passenger Information on our website, you can expect delays at check-in which could result in denied boarding of your flight. We will not be responsible for any refunds or costs you incur if you are denied boarding due to your failure to provide Advanced Passenger Information on our website or the information you provide is inaccurate."

I think that provides the reasons for doing it in advance. Maybe they are laying it on a bit thick but if every passenger leaves it until then the check-ins will take much longer causing possible flight delays. I hope they won't !

Dennis

[Janis]

That seems like a sound reason, Dennis, for providing the information in advance.

Better to be same than sorry I reckon!

Janis x

[justphil]

Janis luvver, I'm neither sane nor sorry.... lol

[Janis]

You got me there, Phil - I should have put "better to be SAFE than sorry" !!

Ooops!

Anyway, who'd want sane... much better to be slightly loopy (I am, certainly!)

Janis x

[justphil]

I knew what you meant Janis luvver, but sane and sorry just flicked a switch for me. I am probably both sometimes, but I have this reputation....

So glad to read your posts. Sane and never sorry. The right combination....
love
Phil

[JohnTheRef&Dot]

I called into the travel agents today and asked the simple question, tell me what you know about API.

A very helpful young man explained that the information needed to be completed before traveling to certain destinations.

When did you know about this information as I was not informed about it when I paid for my holiday last week.
We knew about 12 months ago that this was going to happen.

I was somewhat surprised by this and asked the question that most of us would have asked.
If you knew this then why did you not take the information when the original booking was made, perhaps that would have helped avoid any problems that may occur, such as delays, people not being aware that the information was needed?

You can go on line and fill in the information he told me.
All well and good but I tried that and were constantly blocked from doing so.
They are having problems with the site at the moment came the reply.

When will I be able to do it on line?
Try it about one month before you travel. We will provide you with the information about API when you collect your travel documents.

I have come to the conclusion that the tour operator is not too bothered about this.
Well lets face it they have had my money but they don't seem bothered about informing me about important information that needs to be reported before I travel. 

DELAYS     IRATE PASSENGERS    MISSED FLIGHTS

Don't just book it Thomas Cock it up   

[justphil]

Hear Hear John. Don't just book it, Thomas Crook it. Every little helps....

Ah luvvers, we will still be sat in Brouklis eating our favourite foods on 13 July. Unlucky for some. But not us....

Phil

[Janis]

We always have our first meal at Brouklis, and our last, and as many as possible in between whilst still enjoying the food and hospitality at other hostelries...

Sorry, Phil - we'll be there on the 17th May - wish you and Jen could make it there too - we would really love to meet you two!

Janis x