Originally Posted by
motorguy
I don't think I agree, but maybe I don't understand the argument.
The argument is two-fold: 1) The TSA has no mechanism to assess the veracity of the ID document, and 2) the TSA's mandate is limited to administrative searches to clear pax, crews and airside workers of weapons, incendiaries and explosives.
Two documents that share some common words, such as 'John X. Smith' neither proves nor disproves the bearer's identity really is 'John X. Smith', regardless of whether the photo on one of those documents appears to be the person present. IOW, identification documents are not the same thing as identity. Therefore, it is impossible for the TSA to establish that anyone is who they say they are.