I'm a frequent traveler/flyer, both domestic and international. I don't presume to speak for all but can share my late 2019 travel experience and observation when I last traveled to SJO (San Jose, CR).
Coincidentally, I also departed EWR (Newark) and was routed to SJO via LAX (Las Angeles, CA) on connecting flight to SJO.
As best I recall, I never pulled out my passport until boarding in Los Angeles for the last leg of the flight- LAX to SJO.
I presented my passport for the first time to the gate agent at LAX -- the same time as my boarding pass was scanned at the door. At this time, there was no scrutiny of me and my passport or any discernible comparison of passengers with passports.
(I used my DL to pass security at Newark and no identification other than a boarding pass was required to board my flight to LAX. Also, I never left the gate area upon arriving at LAX, i.e., no security re-entry was required).
IMO, all the validation of passengers and passports takes place behind the scenes via Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
At the time my ticket was purchased, all data required for APIS including my passport number was provided and completed.
International passenger information requirements
Alaska Airlines is required to adhere to the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which mandates the collection of specific information from every passenger traveling to or from the U.S. and other countries. This information is requested for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.
Travelers must supply advance passenger information at time of check-in or they will be prevented from traveling.
The following information is required:
- Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Nationality
- Country of residence
- Travel document type (normally passport)
- Travel document number (expiration date and country of issue for passport)
- Destination address in the U.S. (Not required for U.S. nationals, Legal Permanent Residents, or Alien Residents of the U.S. entering the U.S.)
As of summer 2007, all new U.S. passports carry a tiny RFID chip embedded
in the front cover (biometric passport). Each chip contains the identical personal information found on the passport's picture page, including a digital image of your photograph.
ARRIVING AT SJO AIRPORT IN COSTA RICA:
It didn't take more than 30 minutes (Tourista line) to go through immigration and pass through customs before exiting the terminal. I did not need to collect any checked bags.
For my 2019 flight, the airlines did not hand out the typical customs form during the flight. (The form generally asks you to declare everything you are bringing into the country that is not part of your personal effects). COVID protocols were also not in effect during this time.
An immigration officer asked where I was staying and physically stamped my passport in green ink, with a hand notation of "90" for the number of days I could legally stay in CR.
US Passports are valid for 10 years.
I'm not surprised that KA would be able to use the passport of another female with similar physical attributes.
IMO, for the trained party viewing a physical passport, there tends to be minimal physical change for females between the age span 25-45, and I don't think hair color, style, or even 20 pounds +- causes any alarm when passing immigration. For example, a passport of a then very pregnant 26-year-old was still used by the 35-year old passenger, nine years later, without official scrutiny.
MOO
ETA: Add link
The tiny plastic chips embedded in passports and credit cards are making consumers and travelers uneasy about the potential for someone with prying eyes trying to steal their personal data.
www.govtech.com
