Interested to know your opinion:

What do you think about the move by some airlines (ex. NW) to implement self serve check-in kiosks at many airports?

Some don't like the lack of live customer service representatives, but I find these modes of check-in extremely efficient and personally love them.

I love the kiosks too! (I've only used American and Southwest though.)

I think they're efficient, and I like how I'm sort of in control of my check-in process. Plus, the agent doesn't draw huge circles around my boarding time, gate, and seat number.  

-alexchao

Alex: For UA I rarely use them, a result of the fact that I can't check in on the web (due to the fact that I accrue mileage on US rather than UA), and additionally, I am generally at the airport about (seemingly) a month before departure, trying to get Voluntarily Denied Boarding...free tickets are free tickets, and UA makes it very easy to put them down (UA goes by fare buckets, rather than by award capacity controls)...for US, I also rarely use them, as I prefer to check in via the web, and just drop off my bags on my way into the airport (I think web-check-in is a security risk, however, I know darned well that I am not a terrorist, and as a result, I don't mind it)

The only thing I don't like about the kiosks is that you get a crappy paper boarding pass.

BigMac,
You don't get paper ones with BA's, you get a proper traditional boarding card.

Got to love BA's online check in then collecting your cards through the self service machine's.

Adam

BigMac-In my opinion, if, when you checked in on the kiosks (and on the web too) if they had an option where it said: United Flight 573 from Chicago-O'Hare to Houston-Intercontinental is oversold. If you would like to be considered for taking a later flight, United Flight 703, leaving Chicago-O'Hare at 3:05pm, and receive compensation in the form of one free transferable round-trip ticket per passenger to anywhere in the United States that United Airlines flies (their standard offer), please press yes, if not, please press no...(BTW, I have no idea what they offer when you are involuntarily denied boarding, as I have never been in that situation, and likely never will be, but for whatever reason, United never ups the stakes on VDB's)

BigMac-I should have mentioned, United prints proper boarding cards as well...

As a non-rev, I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. I love them. Insert your pass card, select your priority and proceed to the gate with your seat request card. Easy, quick, painless and no lines. 

Love 'em!
Select exactly the seat you want instead of "window or isle?"
Bigmac, AC self serve issues proper borading pass. But I know what you mean. WS's is so flimsy you have to work hard at not losing the piece of paper in your pocket!

I like it too.
I used TG domestic kiosks all the time. It's so convenient.
Also I used SK at BKK, UA at SFO, AC at YVR. They are all nice. I can do whatever I want myself!!  

I love them. I work for UAL, so naturally, I non-rev all over the place all the time. Just go to the machine, insert the card, select your Boarding Priority (BP-10 is the way to go - no charges AT ALL ) and get your tickets. Too bad that DEN does not have those check-in machines inside the Concourse B itself. That way I could just go straight to the gate, instead of dealing with TSA. But then again, there's always the employee line.  

Alex.

For passengers and non-revs alike, they are a very easy and efficient way to avoid the lines. For employees that get replaced by them, they aren't so nice. In the age of down-sizing, I know that NW in MHT actually laid off 1 or 2 people per kiosk machine that was installed. I am sure this is not an isolated thing, either. I wish we had them, but our computers are too old to support the new technology! Some day....

I love the self-check in kiosks. There are never lines at the NW ones, because MSP has so many of them. When I went MSP-MDW-MSP for a daytrip, online I selected a seat that I really didn't want because the whole row was filled. Then at the airport, I found 3 or 4 rows that weren't filled, and I could change my seat right there! I use it all the time, it was a breeze at MDW.

co

Recently got off a NWA plane and the FA made the announcement while the plane was making its way to the gate, about the ease of use of the self serve machines, she also mentioned checking in via the web. Talk about putting people out of a job. Tho it is a sign of the times.

They're great. The Alaska ones are fast and they have them everywhere. Plus you can change seats (some are held for airport assignment, so better ones may show up), get upgrades, etc. Get to the airport, get checked in, then get something to eat without waiting in line. For WN, there's a better chance of getting group A, although their new web check-in will reduce that.

it is only very convenient when you have only carry-on bags. no real advantage if you need to check luggage.

My favorite part of the whole system is getting to choose your own seat. I know a lot of time the agents will fill a plane from the rear forward, but I most always get a bulkhead or second row window when I can check myself in.  

no real advantage if you need to check luggage

I beg to differ. The lines are still much, much shorter, and the actual check-in process is still much faster. If I'm not checking in online, I'm using the kiosks.