Originally Posted by
BigFlyer
But, what is the possible rationale for checking ID, but not checking it against a list?
It's complete theater, plain and simple. The primary purpose is to make people "feel safe" and that the government is "doing something" to protect the facility. There may be a secondary purpose to condition people to showing ID/papers on demand.
Checking a blacklist can actually serve a purpose. Requiring a specific ID, e.g., a military ID, to get into a facility serves a purpose of restricting access. But *any* ID check that both does not include a blacklist and will accept any arbitrary government (or non government) photo ID is theater.
Note that the government is to some extent attempting to make possession of a valid photo ID a "privilege" that they can take away. The only reason for an ID to expire is to give the government an option to not renew it at some point in the future. Makes sense for a driver's license (you could go blind), but not for general IDs that are effectively required to travel or engage in commerce.