Airport Parking Scam

[PhoenixOrion]

A guy parks for 9 days.

When he came back, he walked over to the entrance gate and punches a new ticket. Pay booth checks out both short-term and long-term parking.

He drives out paying for just the 30min minimum rate.

First time I heard about this.

 

[KK]

where'd you hear of this?

 

[sygyzy]

You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

 

[QueBert]

interesting, I don't see why it wouldn't work, of course if you get caught you're FUBAR. Not exactly smart to risk getting arrested simply to save on a few days parking fee. reminds me of the time I didn't have a stamp so I tried mailing it with the receivers address where the return address goes. I ended up getting it back any ways, but it was worth a shot

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

That was my first inclination.

My friend told me the story. He said it is actually an on-going problem for large international airports with huge parking lots and pay booths that check out both short and long-term parkers.

He first heard about this with the rampant problem at Seoul/Incheon international.

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

Agreed

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

Yep...

Shens to whoever told you the story... it cant be done...

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

ahh, gotcha, I've never paid much attention to it before.

 

[imported_Devine]

I've thought about this but in a far easier way, "lose" the ticket Every airport I've been to makes you pay some max fee for losing your ticket. If you've been there for a couple of days its probably a lot cheaper than paying what you owe and is a lot easier since there's no real way to get caught and you dont gotta go thru the hassle of getting another ticket.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Devine
I've thought about this but in a far easier way, "lose" the ticket Every airport I've been to makes you pay some max fee for losing your ticket. If you've been there for a couple of days its probably a lot cheaper than paying what you owe and is a lot easier since there's no real way to get caught and you dont gotta go thru the hassle of getting another ticket.

I believe someone comes around and puts the tag information in some computer. Atleast that what I hear they do here in ATL.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: Devine
I've thought about this but in a far easier way, "lose" the ticket Every airport I've been to makes you pay some max fee for losing your ticket.

Whats a typical max fee for losing ticket?

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: QueBert
interesting, I don't see why it wouldn't work, of course if you get caught you're FUBAR. Not exactly smart to risk getting arrested simply to save on a few days parking fee. reminds me of the time I didn't have a stamp so I tried mailing it with the receivers address where the return address goes. I ended up getting it back any ways, but it was worth a shot

ive done this numerous times, and its worked every time for me.. tho i should add that it was only about ~80 miles from me. I've only tried it with empty envelopes, i still don't trust that method to anything important. but i have sucessfully mailed my friend emtpy bubble wrap packages, and standard envelopes wiwth just a piece of paper in it

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

Yep...

Shens to whoever told you the story... it cant be done...

You've tried it at every parking lot on earth? I'd be willing to bet that there are still some lots with systems outdated enough for it to be possible.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

Yep...

Shens to whoever told you the story... it cant be done...

You've tried it at every parking lot on earth? I'd be willing to bet that there are still some lots with systems outdated enough for it to be possible.

But Seoul/Incheon opened in 2001......fairly new airport and my friend said that the problem is rampant over there.

 

[mundane]

Before reading the thread, I thought "scam" referred to the rates some lots charge.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

Originally posted by: akshatp
Shens to whoever told you the story... it cant be done...

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
Agreed

You are all incorrect to lump all airports and meters together. I can guarantee that this works at O-Hare's long term parking. I can also guarantee that you will get busted, and the ticket for fraud is a HUGE one, and requires a visit to court; at least for O-Hare.

How do I know this? Because I went though the long term parking, and my ticket flew out the window as I was pulling away and blew though a fence. So I walked back the 100' to the machine and pressed the button and got another ticket. I then got to have an in-depth conversation with the Chicago Police.

all you arm-chair physics people need to read up some more.

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
Whats a typical max fee for losing ticket?

O-Hare long term parking used to be $168, but it is different in each garage. Midway's short term parking was $50 the last time I flew out of it.

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
But Seoul/Incheon opened in 2001......fairly new airport and my friend said that the problem is rampant over there.

Just because it's new doesn't mean it wasn't designed by an idiot.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Kyteland
Just because it's new doesn't mean it wasn't designed by an idiot.

That needs to go in the Wiki. Awesome quote.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: sygyzy
You cannot punch a new ticket. It's done by either weight or magnetic induction. Good try PhoenixOrion.

I think some may have buttons.

KK - You don't follow. They all have buttons. The weight/induction has to be activated for the button to do anything.

Yep...

Shens to whoever told you the story... it cant be done...

You've tried it at every parking lot on earth? I'd be willing to bet that there are still some lots with systems outdated enough for it to be possible.

Good point

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: Devine
I've thought about this but in a far easier way, "lose" the ticket Every airport I've been to makes you pay some max fee for losing your ticket. If you've been there for a couple of days its probably a lot cheaper than paying what you owe and is a lot easier since there's no real way to get caught and you dont gotta go thru the hassle of getting another ticket.

I believe someone comes around and puts the tag information in some computer. Atleast that what I hear they do here in ATL.

Same thing at EWR... Plus they charge you a "lost ticket" fee of $36...

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: QueBert
interesting, I don't see why it wouldn't work, of course if you get caught you're FUBAR. Not exactly smart to risk getting arrested simply to save on a few days parking fee. reminds me of the time I didn't have a stamp so I tried mailing it with the receivers address where the return address goes. I ended up getting it back any ways, but it was worth a shot

How did you end up getting it back if it didnt have your return address on it?

 

[Mermaidman]

It won't work at many airports because they have crews working every night to record the licence plates of parked cars. When you leave, the cashier compares your plate to the records and if there is a discrepancy . . . busted! Also, if you lose your ticket, they can tell you how many days you have parked.

edit: And just because you can get away with it doesn't mean it's not illegal. Some people will steal anything that's not bolted down!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: QueBert
interesting, I don't see why it wouldn't work, of course if you get caught you're FUBAR. Not exactly smart to risk getting arrested simply to save on a few days parking fee. reminds me of the time I didn't have a stamp so I tried mailing it with the receivers address where the return address goes. I ended up getting it back any ways, but it was worth a shot

How did you end up getting it back if it didnt have your return address on it?

He probably put his own address in the "to" area - he'd have to put something there. No doubt the sender's address was at another post office. Realizing that there's no way the letter would have gotten from one post office to another without a stamp, they probably caught on to what the OP was doing and gave him back his mail.