Is photo ID currently needed for domestic flights? (BAEC card not deemed enough)
Aug 25, 2017, 1:32 am
#136
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
I would take passport AND driving licence as a matter of course.
Driving licence is always in my wallet anyway (even at my age I get ID in bars in the US for example) and I simply have never trusted the notion that I don't have to show my passport at an airport.
Maybe it's because I have done so many many more international than domestic flights. Not that I don't believe all the other posters here. Simply that in the grand scheme of things 1) It's a tiny document which weighs nothing and 2) I have no problem with passport checks at airports as there are clearly these days bad people intent on doing bad things there and I'm not one of them.
Driving licence is always in my wallet anyway (even at my age I get ID in bars in the US for example) and I simply have never trusted the notion that I don't have to show my passport at an airport.
Maybe it's because I have done so many many more international than domestic flights. Not that I don't believe all the other posters here. Simply that in the grand scheme of things 1) It's a tiny document which weighs nothing and 2) I have no problem with passport checks at airports as there are clearly these days bad people intent on doing bad things there and I'm not one of them.
Aug 25, 2017, 2:34 am
#137
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
You should always take a passport for this reason: if your flight is delayed to the point it's cancelled and you want to exit the airport from airside, it's not so easy without ID (as you're probably in a melting pot of international travellers). This happened to me once, without passport, and had to pull out the driving licence.
Aug 26, 2017, 7:02 am
#139
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Grandee (Upgraded), BA Silver, AZ MilleMiglia
Posts: 3,107
I'm starting to think that the Domestics request for Photo ID is just for me!
About an hour ago I once more tried to check a suitcase in T5 in the First checkin area, for a domestic flight, handing over only my BAEC (GGL!) card. After finding my booking, and printing the luggage tag, the checkin agent then asked for photo ID. I pointed out that the website said that a BAEC card is enough, he counted that "it had changed yesterday" and refused to tag the bag until I handed a driving license or passport over.
I had too many liquids in the suitcase to take it carry-on only, so I didn't want to just take it back + walk off, as I'd have to ditch more than I'd want to at security. After a bit of back and forth on what the website said, I had to hand over a driving license to get my bag tagged
So, unless things really did change yesterday, I fear the T5 First staff just don't like me...
About an hour ago I once more tried to check a suitcase in T5 in the First checkin area, for a domestic flight, handing over only my BAEC (GGL!) card. After finding my booking, and printing the luggage tag, the checkin agent then asked for photo ID. I pointed out that the website said that a BAEC card is enough, he counted that "it had changed yesterday" and refused to tag the bag until I handed a driving license or passport over.
I had too many liquids in the suitcase to take it carry-on only, so I didn't want to just take it back + walk off, as I'd have to ditch more than I'd want to at security. After a bit of back and forth on what the website said, I had to hand over a driving license to get my bag tagged
So, unless things really did change yesterday, I fear the T5 First staff just don't like me...
Aug 26, 2017, 7:37 am
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Aug 26, 2017, 11:02 am
#141
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
I came back into the country via Newhaven a few weeks ago and was pulled over for the best part of an hour - at the end of it the "same name as a wanted man" was the explanation given by the agent.
Which is strange as I'd never come across another Abercrombie Fitch before*
* This story is actually true, but the person whose name they actually matched was my passenger that day, who has a very common name.
Which is strange as I'd never come across another Abercrombie Fitch before*
* This story is actually true, but the person whose name they actually matched was my passenger that day, who has a very common name.
Aug 29, 2017, 4:37 am
#142
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,156
If so, I apparently only have a "London dodgy" name then - no issues yesterday at Edinburgh dropping off the same suitcase on the return leg with only my BAEC card, and no issues a couple of months ago at MAN on a one-way back to London
Sep 1, 2017, 1:02 am
#143
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold;BA GGL; hhonors lifetime diamond; Marriott lt Gold; IH Plat Amb; Amex Centurion
Posts: 4,742
Another data point.
I was dropping bags for BHD at T5 the other day. I had my passport (the only photo ID I have unless you count my TfL card) out and it was waved away with "We don't bother with that."
I was dropping bags for BHD at T5 the other day. I had my passport (the only photo ID I have unless you count my TfL card) out and it was waved away with "We don't bother with that."