Originally Posted by
Trollkiller
Because the forced ID verification does nothing to enhance the safety of the aircraft, I contend it is an undue hindrance. There is no compelling Government interest in denying a person the ability to ride in a plane without an ID.
I'd like to engage in a small amount of nitpicking here.
In actual fact the government does not deny a person the ability to ride in a plane without ID. If a passenger shows up and claims to have lost his ID he will be allowed to ride, after other attempts to verify his identity and the possibility of additional screening.
The government will only deny a passenger the ability to ride in a plane if he
refuses to present an ID.
I could pack my identification in my checked baggage, show up at the ID station and claim I lost it and still fly. If I just showed up and refused to present ID I would not be allowed to fly. The only difference would be that in the second case I would be contesting TSA's authority to require me to present an ID.
This may seem to be a small difference, but it only serves to undercut any claim that the ID requirement has anything to do with security and has everything to do with exerting government control.