Is photo ID currently needed for domestic flights? (BAEC card not deemed enough)
May 29, 2017, 2:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
May 30, 2017, 5:50 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Grandee (Upgraded), BA Silver, AZ MilleMiglia
Posts: 3,107
I've just had a rather odd experience at T5 first class checkin, on my way to Manchester. I'm following CWS best practice, and travelling HBO, but I didn't have easy access to a printer so approached the desks to get my online checkin boarding pass printed. Handed over my BAEC card, and asked if they'd mind printing the boarding pass for me
Agent: Certainly, BAxxx to Manchester, <tap tap tap>
Printer: Whirr spit
Agent: Do you have your passport with you?
Me: No, I'm off to Manchester
Agent: Yes, but can I see your passport please?
Me: I'm on a UK domestic flight, so no
Agent: I know, but I need to see your passport
Me: But Manchester is part of the UK, so I don't need a passport
Agent: I'm aware that Manchester is in England, but something has changed and I still need your passport
The agent went off an conferred with someone else, then came back and said she really needed some ID, even though I wasn't checking a bag, and even though she had my BAEC card. Since I figured they're very frazzled from the weekend's IT mess, I decided to just offer up my driving license and not fight it, which worked and resulted in me being handed the boarding pass for today + tomorrow's return, and wished a pleasant flight.
Have the rules changed for domestic flights though, or was the agent just confused after a doubtless hellish last two days in Heathrow?
Agent: Certainly, BAxxx to Manchester, <tap tap tap>
Printer: Whirr spit
Agent: Do you have your passport with you?
Me: No, I'm off to Manchester
Agent: Yes, but can I see your passport please?
Me: I'm on a UK domestic flight, so no
Agent: I know, but I need to see your passport
Me: But Manchester is part of the UK, so I don't need a passport
Agent: I'm aware that Manchester is in England, but something has changed and I still need your passport
The agent went off an conferred with someone else, then came back and said she really needed some ID, even though I wasn't checking a bag, and even though she had my BAEC card. Since I figured they're very frazzled from the weekend's IT mess, I decided to just offer up my driving license and not fight it, which worked and resulted in me being handed the boarding pass for today + tomorrow's return, and wished a pleasant flight.
Have the rules changed for domestic flights though, or was the agent just confused after a doubtless hellish last two days in Heathrow?
May 30, 2017, 6:04 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Why? You are traveling in the Uk, both you and your bag will be screened.
Like it or not, Heathrow Airport and British Airways are massive targets which would be positively orgasmic to some terror organisations seeking to strike a blow at Britain so those agents who make some extra efforts to keep it secure while I'm on shift get a big thumbs up from me!
............and, no, an Exec Club card does not suffice. It may have been found together with the itinerary somewhere outside - who knows? The ID should have a photo.
May 30, 2017, 6:09 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Exactly, whilst the current threat level is 'Severe' for International and Domestic Terrorism, given recent events, I'm not surprised they are asking for ID and you should be carrying it in any case even if historically they haven't been asking for it.
May 30, 2017, 6:09 am
#22
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,878
Whilst that is true, a polite request for ID is a belt and braces approach, and one which is to be reasonably expected given the heightened security alert. We all know that, despite the baggage and person passing through a security screen, it is not 100% safe.
Like it or not, Heathrow Airport and British Airways are massive targets which would be positively orgasmic to some terror organisations seeking to strike a blow at Britain so those agents who make some extra efforts to keep it secure while I'm on shift get a big thumbs up from me!
............and, no, an Exec Club card does not suffice. It may have been found together with the itinerary somewhere outside - who knows? The ID should have a photo.
Like it or not, Heathrow Airport and British Airways are massive targets which would be positively orgasmic to some terror organisations seeking to strike a blow at Britain so those agents who make some extra efforts to keep it secure while I'm on shift get a big thumbs up from me!
............and, no, an Exec Club card does not suffice. It may have been found together with the itinerary somewhere outside - who knows? The ID should have a photo.
I am well aware LHR is a potential target. I am also well aware the law does not require you to produce ID when travelling in the UK.
BA.com says explicitly that a BAEC card will suffice - see the quote posted by Tobias-UK up-thread.
May 30, 2017, 6:10 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
May 30, 2017, 6:14 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
It's not misleading, it says you need some form or ID, which may be your BAEC card to check in, but on the same page it says to ensure you carry the appropriate passport or visa, which links to the page that was linked on this thread a few post prior which states that you should carry photo ID on domestic flights which can be asked for.
Karfa, the threat is not solely related to aircraft explosions, it is also to do with other forms of terrorism, there have been examples of spot checks on coaches I believe too, and although I've not heard of any on trains, this is still possible. There isn't a UK no fly list, but there is still intelligence gathering, and ensuring people who are flying around the country, even domestically, are who they say they are seams a sensible precaution which really adds very little inconvenience to a pax except if they wish to make a fuss (which I don't understand why anyone would).
Karfa, the threat is not solely related to aircraft explosions, it is also to do with other forms of terrorism, there have been examples of spot checks on coaches I believe too, and although I've not heard of any on trains, this is still possible. There isn't a UK no fly list, but there is still intelligence gathering, and ensuring people who are flying around the country, even domestically, are who they say they are seams a sensible precaution which really adds very little inconvenience to a pax except if they wish to make a fuss (which I don't understand why anyone would).
May 30, 2017, 6:17 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
It's not misleading, it says you need some form or ID, which may be your BAEC card to check in, but on the same page it says to ensure you carry the appropriate passport or visa, which links to the page that was linked on this thread a few post prior which states that you should carry photo ID on domestic flights which can be asked for.
May 30, 2017, 6:20 am
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,738
Whilst that is true, and British Airways don't insist on the agent asking for ID, a polite request for ID is a belt and braces approach, and one which is to be reasonably expected given the heightened security alert. We all know that, despite the baggage and person passing through a security screen, it is not 100% safe.
Like it or not, Heathrow Airport and British Airways are massive targets which would be positively orgasmic to some terror organisations seeking to strike a blow at Britain so those agents who make some extra efforts to keep it secure while I'm on shift get a big thumbs up from me!
............and, no, an Exec Club card does not suffice. It may have been found together with the itinerary somewhere outside - who knows? The ID should have a photo.
Like it or not, Heathrow Airport and British Airways are massive targets which would be positively orgasmic to some terror organisations seeking to strike a blow at Britain so those agents who make some extra efforts to keep it secure while I'm on shift get a big thumbs up from me!
............and, no, an Exec Club card does not suffice. It may have been found together with the itinerary somewhere outside - who knows? The ID should have a photo.
May 30, 2017, 6:21 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Surely you would like the intelligence service to gather intelligence prior to explosives arriving at an airport? Criminals and terrorists using false details to travel quickly around the country, to evade surveillance is not in any law abiding citizens interests; we don't know if this particular case was as a result of particular intelligence or just randomly or perhaps it was just someone at BA who has made the decision in support of the current threat level without the involvement of the police or intelligence services; either way, I really don't get why people would be annoyed by it- perhaps it is because as a Serviceman I carry ID with me at all times in any case.
Last edited by navylad; May 30, 2017 at 6:27 am
May 30, 2017, 6:22 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Edinburgh UK
Programs: BA Silver, HHonours Gold, Mucci of Pucci, Oyster Card, Nectar Card, Father's Day Card
Posts: 9,372
May 30, 2017, 6:23 am
#29
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,878
This rarely happens though, and you are right that there is no blanket requirement to show ID when travelling on a domestic flight. I have traveled many times on BA domestic flights with carry on bags only and not needed to show any ID.
May 30, 2017, 6:25 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
I am not sure why you would see comparisons to Iran as bothersome but out of your alternative three, only Belgium has any compulsion to carry identification.
