The future is already here
"the use of mobile phones as passenger boarding cards via a 2D bar code sent to the phone"
Several airlines already do this; for example the BA iPhone app.
Our US readers contemplating flying cross country travel this week might be putting worries about the data and power impact of air travel to the back of their minds. But if they do opt for that enhanced pat-down they might comfort themselves with the knowledge they are helping offload some of the bandwidth and power a modern …
And when the server has a hissy fit and the boarding screens are showing the Blue Screen of Death, what's still working? Good old steam-powered VHF.
This message has been brought to you as a community service announcement by your local Air Traffic Control and the Apostrophe Police.