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-   Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate-687/)
-   -   Exercise Your Right To Fly Anonymously (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/533451-exercise-your-right-fly-anonymously.html)

timstravel Mar 9, 2006 8:27 pm


Originally Posted by Superguy
Trucks have been used in many more bombings than have planes, but I don't see a secret database being checked whenever someone wants to rent a U-Haul.

How do you know they're NOT checking...?

GUWonder Mar 9, 2006 9:32 pm


Originally Posted by timstravel
How do you know they're NOT checking...?

Are you aware of any GOVERNMENT no-U-Haul-rent lists? I am not. ;)

Superguy Mar 10, 2006 12:04 am


Originally Posted by GUWonder
So if flying cars are on auto-pilot is the government going to ID the computer chips? :D

RFID's!!!! :)

GUWonder Mar 10, 2006 12:23 am


Originally Posted by Superguy
RFID's!!!! :)

RF ID!!! Then even computers won't be able to exercise their right to fly anonymously. :eek: :D

I thought the aviation industry was still claiming that use of radio-transmitting devices in-flight were a serious safety threat to the plane and passengers. So much for that one? :D

secretbunnyboy Mar 10, 2006 6:41 am


Originally Posted by Superguy
Cops don't key in every license plate they see on the freeway or around town, looking for felons.

That's not true any more, actually- if you read this month's Wired magazine, the LAPD is testing an in-car system that can scan something ridiculous like 120,000 plates an hour as it drives along.

In London, all number plates entering the City are scanned by police cameras that alert cops when a stolen/sketchy vehicle goes through. I think the Congestion Charge system might also be linked into this, I am not sure.

(I know that the UK isn't the US but the point is that the technology already exists and it will inevitably be rolled out).

Wally Bird Mar 10, 2006 8:54 am


Originally Posted by studentff
It would be an interesting strategy for a victim of the no-fly list to book tickets under an alternate name, to refuse to show ID, and to fly anonymously as suggested in this thread. Submitting to SSSS before each flight seems substantially less unpleasant than the delays, LEO calls, and harassment these innocent people are subjected to each time they fly.

Although that 'selectee as alternative to ID' provision is still officially in place, I doubt that it's a practical option. The airlines/TSA/whoever can simply ignore it at their discretion which, at a guess, they do 100% of the time :td:

studentff Mar 10, 2006 9:26 am


Originally Posted by Wally Bird
Although that 'selectee as alternative to ID' provision is still officially in place, I doubt that it's a practical option. The airlines/TSA/whoever can simply ignore it at their discretion which, at a guess, they do 100% of the time :td:

I think that's exactly what the OP wants to test. IANAL nor have I read the full decision, but my understanding was that part of the 9th Circuit's reason for rejecting Gilmore's claim was that he in fact could have flown without ID and would have just had to submit to extra search, and therefore there was no ID "requirement."

A series of tests proving the airlines/TSA will not let someone without ID on board at all could be used to counter the court's statement that there was no ID requirement.

I actually think that in most "innocent" cases of no-ID they will let someone board; I myself have witnessed several gate-gropings or other SSSS behavior of a clearly anxious infrequent flyer who was saying she lost her ID. The real test would be the no-so-innocent case where I walk up to a ticket counter with cash, pay for a ticket under the name John Smith, and try to board with no documentation. For better-or-worse I'll never be able to test that case as I'm too much a junkie for FF miles. :)

studentff Mar 10, 2006 9:31 am


Originally Posted by mbstone
I was refused check-in the other day on UA unless I provided ID containing a DL or SS number and date of birth.

This is quite scary and very disgusting. I do not carry *any* ID that has my SS number on it (many states have dropped it from the DL). And lots of people don't drive.

There is no requirment in the USA to carry either a DL or SS card either at all times or to fly a plane, and my response to an agent with such demands would not be pleasant. ("Am I driving a car? Then why do you need a DL? The sign says I need to present government-issued photo ID and that's what I just did; what's wrong with my ID? I fly 50K-miles/year on your airline, have been a member of your FF program for nearly a decade, and will happily recite my last 10 segments flown on your airline; do you really doubt my identity?")

The agent, supervisor, and person-on-the-phone with which you interacted should all be fired immediately.

bocastephen Mar 10, 2006 10:00 am


Originally Posted by studentff
There is no requirment in the USA to carry either a DL or SS card either at all times or to fly a plane, and my response to an agent with such demands would not be pleasant.....

Me thinks the poster is either on the no-fly list and that information is being used to clear him to fly, or he is a victim of an idiotic UA agent (gee, what are the chances?) who is making up his/her own rules.

Superguy Mar 10, 2006 11:00 am


Originally Posted by GUWonder
RF ID!!! Then even computers won't be able to exercise their right to fly anonymously. :eek: :D

I thought the aviation industry was still claiming that use of radio-transmitting devices in-flight were a serious safety threat to the plane and passengers. So much for that one? :D

Your passports will be checked as get on the plane, and off of the plane, Citizen. RFID's just make it easier for us. :)

On another note, I've never gotten the radio interference thing. Planes are bombarded with all kinds of radio waves all the time, including cell towers. I just always thought it more a revenue protection thing, at least as far as phones go, so you have to pay the exorbitant air phone charges. LH already showed us that WiFi signals won't hurt the plane.

I think a lot of those restrictions would go away once they find a way to make money off of it. Then again, you could be conspiring with a terrorist on the ground, so that may not happen. :rolleyes:

Superguy Mar 10, 2006 11:04 am


Originally Posted by GUWonder
Isn't it "better" to use the car of someone whom you don't like? :eek:

That's certainly be the M.O. for some; and by the time the police report for a stolen car is found the door has been knocked down and a gun pointed at the head of the lover of a girl who turned down a suitor. :(

No, Citizen. I would have already commited an obvious crime by stealing an "enemy's" car. Stealing a friend's is much more covert because I would never turn on my friend. :D

Therefore, ALL cars should be monitored!!!! :D ;)

Superguy Mar 10, 2006 11:06 am


Originally Posted by secretbunnyboy
That's not true any more, actually- if you read this month's Wired magazine, the LAPD is testing an in-car system that can scan something ridiculous like 120,000 plates an hour as it drives along.

In London, all number plates entering the City are scanned by police cameras that alert cops when a stolen/sketchy vehicle goes through. I think the Congestion Charge system might also be linked into this, I am not sure.

(I know that the UK isn't the US but the point is that the technology already exists and it will inevitably be rolled out).

I wasn't aware of that. That's scary.

Makes a good argument for living in Mayberry. :D

mkt Mar 10, 2006 11:25 am


Originally Posted by GUWonder
The Marriott Crystal City Gateway and the Hilton Crystal City are the two properties in the DC-area where I routinely hear about ID demands from hotel employees. At the latter they even took photo copies of ID, and it's not clear what the hotel did with such photocopies. :(

Usually attach it to your reg. card, and once you check out it goes in a closet never to be looked at again. Some hotels are overzealous about their policies. Uppity Desk Agents (usually a Hospitality Management Student at a local university who is in his/her first "Real" hotel job and is trying to show his/her superiority cause he/she's studying the field that he/she's working in, trying to impress their boss with their superior knowledge of SOP's and the legality of the hotel industry, a la Florida Statute 509) are even worse.

Wally Bird Mar 10, 2006 12:56 pm


Originally Posted by bocastephen
Me thinks the poster is either on the no-fly list and that information is being used to clear him to fly, or he is a victim of an idiotic UA agent (gee, what are the chances?) who is making up his/her own rules.

Well somebody does seem to have misconstrued.

From www.ual.com: For domestic flights – all passengers 18 and older are required to present valid and unexpired government-issued photo identification. (federal, state or local). For example: driver’s license or passport. All customers must carry government-issued identification with them at all times and may be asked to show identification during boarding.

In the absence of government-issued photo identification, two forms of identification are required. One must be government issued. Example: Social security card and credit card.

Customers without proper identification may* be subject to additional security screening procedures.


At least they don't have that inane 'must present the credit card used to buy the ticket' requirement any more. Or do they ?

* may be ? Yeah, right.

bocastephen Mar 10, 2006 1:11 pm


Originally Posted by Wally Bird
Well somebody does seem to have misconstrued.

I still don't see a requirement for a drivers license specifically, or ID that contains the passengers's social security number. A passport, state issued ID card, or perhaps a government employee ID card should be sufficient - none of which are drivers licenses or contain a social security number.


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