Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much

Not really -- the TSA took this mission creep on by themselves. If one goes back to the original implementing CFR and Federal Register notices, the only thing authorized in law concerning identification is the infamous Secure Flight program. A careful reading reveals that passengers must supply identifying data when making a reservation -- arguably been that way since the 1970s. The airline sends the manifest to the TSA. If you can print your BP at home, you're fine. If not, you're designated a terrorist and have to go to the ticket counter. Interestingly, the only time the CFR requires passengers to present identification at an airport is by exception when the TSA decides you're on a list. There has never been a legislated requirement for 100% ID checking just to get airside. Kippie initiated this back in circa 2007 by explaining that "ID matters." (That is a direct quote and have been trying like crazy to relocate the source.) Alas, Kippie's "ID matters" implementation did create jobs for hundreds of clerks and great security theater photo ops of the long lines and a clerk carefully scrutinizing someone's drivers license.