Originally Posted by
Wpgjetse
It is my understanding it is Canadian law to check ID before boarding any fight to/from Canada, plus all domestic flights. This make sure the person on the plane is the same person who was ticketed.
They do check ID before boarding. Indeed, to make sure that the person ticketed is the actual passenger. But I don't think it's the law, merely airline policy.
However that has nothing to do with passport check when traveling abroad. They *always* want to check that the passenger has the proper travel document. Either by an agent or at the machine.
And after that they still check ID at the gate. At which point it needs not be your passport.