Hello there!
Edit: I'm sure this post belongs in Privacy@lemmy.ml because this post's concern is with shilling facial recognition, promising benefits for it and overall describing it like the only sane option - "you wouldn't want to stay in line for an hour, now, would you?".
Just bought a Ryanair ticket that was, like, 17 euros. I saw that price and said "Wow! That's like going to a movie but the movie is Slovakia!". Bought the ticket, then received a looooot of spam, among which there was a letter saying that, since I bought from a third-party, I need to verify my identity first. On top there were 2 nice looking buttons that said "Verify Now" and above them there were two ways of verifying my identity enclosed in a nice frame. The first one would only take me 2 minutes and cost only 0.59 cents, and would utilize facial recognition technology,
Uses facial recognition technology. Verify in approx. 2 minutes. Requires a copy of the passenger's identification documentation and a device with a camera.
the other one didn't look so appetizing, because it might have taken up to 7 days (I'd be leaving in 4), it would have no cost (for free) and would use no facial recognition technology, hence the 7 day wait
Verifies the passenger's signature. Verify within 7 days. Requires a copy of the passenger's identification documentation and a device with a camera.
Following the two ways there was a third way, which was in no way highlighted as the first two, and it said that if I wanted, I could go there myself and hand them my passport, but they explicitly dissuade me from doing so because "it would imply a payment of a check-in fee"
Passengers who do not avail of Express Verification or Standard Verification to verify their bookings can verify at the Ryanair ticket desk up to 60 minutes before departure.
However, we do not recommend this option as an airport check-in fee will apply (please see our Table of Fees).
The facial recognition way sounded like an angel's voice among the devil's screams, when compared to the other two. It was presented almost like "an offer JUST for you", like "Look. I normally don't do this, but since you're such a nice guy...". I obviously discarded the facial-recognition way as soon as I read "facial recognition", but also because they so strongly suggested against me paying 55 euros (I called and asked) to them. Now, if the 55 euros are going to Ryanair, it sounds so unreasonable for them to almost refuse taking my money [However, we do not recommend this option as an airport check-in fee will apply (please see our Table of Fees).]. Who doesn't want an extra 55 from each old person that buys their ticket? I would, however, understand if that 55 were to go entirely to the airport, not Ryanair, but I don't think that's how it works (correct me if I'm wrong). It seemed like they wanted to own my face more than my 55 euros, so it must be that they would earn much more from my face than from my wallet. I don't want to allow that. I assume that, when applying to the facial recognition option, I would need to accept a specific ToS allowing them to store and sell my pretty little face around. I can't allow that. I also understand that this is a low-cost flight and they need to reach a certain earning with alternative methods (i.e. selling my face to third-party and whatnot), but since they allow to pay for the ticket AND the 55 for the check-in then that sum must cover the whole thing and it must be the non-low-cost full price. Why then would I sell you my face allowing you to use me to make much more money than you should? For the commodity of doing the verification from my couch in 2 minutes? That's not enough for me to sell myself, and neither should it be for anyone else (who has some, if not pride, then self-respect).
The whole picture looks a bit manipulative to me and I'd rather waste the money I spent on the two-way ticket and airbnb, stay home and never have anything to do with Ryanair.
RyanAir is (in)famous for this type of shit. E-tickets are used everywhere, but RyanAir forces you to have your ticket printed on paper or on their own mobile app. If you don't, you'll pay 20+ Euros for the employee at the check-in to print it for you. I think these ludicrous fees are meant more as "fines" than revenue.
Whether you like RyanAir or not (and I don't like them much), they are good at keeping their prices low by cramming as many people as they can on each flight as quickly as possible. This means disincentivizing anything that can waste them a few seconds per passenger, be it additional baggage (the base ticket now has no baggage at all, except for a small bag or backpack that can be placed under the seat) or, I guess, checking someone's identity at check-in.
Nice! My permit to stay in my home country (I'm an immigrant) expires the day after I fly back, so if they don't allow me on board exactly when I booked - I'm not going back home and staying in Slovakia 👽
Well in terms of certainty of flying, RyanAir is not worse than other companies. If anything they are a bit better, as I don't think they overbook flights like other companies do and (by generally flying to secondary airports) they tend to be less affected by delays/congestion. I wish you good luck with your flight!
I find ryanair much more reliable than say Wizzair, who seems to be late everytime I use them, sometimes even hours. I think Ryanair strategy is to sell you a 20 euro ticket, and then get more money out of you by all kinds of moves. So if you have a bit of experience you can fly cheaply, if not, you will learn and pay more.