I have a few notes to add to this topic. I spent a few years in the banking industry and we all had to go through an extensive security class. There are significant challenges in dealing with an expired ID:

1. One of the most common forms of fraud is the use of an expired driver's licensev(DL)/state ID card. Expired documents are much easier to obtain than valid and current documents because not that much attention is given to these outdated items.

2. Hole Punch. Be careful, some states punch a hole in DL/ID cards to designate someone as an inmate. Now in light of some current threads in OMNI, I understand that some here are though of as criminals ( ); however you may not want to do this.

3. Expired US Passport as citizenship proof. Yes it is valid to prove that you are a citizen, however merchants, banks and other businesses are not required to accept it as a "valid" i.d.

4. Removing your id. For agents that don't do this they should be fired. The oldest and easiest way to have a fake id is to drop a instant photo under the plastic on top of an id. Another thing removal does it help an agent to "feel" a fake. Many times a fake id has an uneven hump (around the picture) that you can instantly feel.

On a personal note, I don't think this topic makes any sense. If you were attacked or mugged and for some reason the only item you have is an expired id, well then I guess you have to figure out something. If your id has recently expired and you have not received the new document, get a paper copy of the renewal.

In general if you're complaining about having to remove your id too much, leaving it somewhere, etc. That's a pre-school problem and not the airlines.