They were checking ID long before the 9/11 report. Is the report the latest excuse for this wasteful endeavour?

What specific purpose does checking the presented ID against the boarding pass serve? It certainly makes the sheeple feel safe, but it does nothing to actually make them safe. Making people safe is accomplished by searching for credible weapons. That part of the TSA's task has been proven sorely lacking in effectiveness. Making them search for and confiscate water, toothpaste, etc. and waste time checking IDs only increases their distraction.

I would posit that, like the boiling frog, that checking ID conditions the populace to be submissive to the government and accepting of endless government intrusions on our lives. Once we get used to this, there will be more and more restrictions, impediments, and hurdles to our ability to exercise those freedoms that make us Americans. To the point that the freedoms no longer exist.

So, comrade, I submit that these ID check do indeed serve a purpose in that they concentrate and build power in the Federal government.

I'm not sure that there is anyone at the federal level capable of such forward-looking planning, though. I won't argue against the statement increasing levels of ID checks and penalties for refusing to comply are a reduction in freedom, or that people simply accepting them will lead them toward more easily accepting other intrusions (that's certainly been the case with all sorts of things throughout the history of the country), but I will argue that there's really no one capable of planning or pulling off such a coordinated action, deliberately, at the federal level.

The incidence of farting, annoying cell-phone convos and other rudenesses would go up, too. So what's your point?

The only sure way to solve this pick-pocketing straw man is to confiscate all wallets at the security c/p. So, again, what's your point?

Here's mine: At what place are we drawing the line on legitimate airside purposes? Apparently liquids from landside in containers over 100 ml is dangerous, along with "too many" non-flying people hanging about shops and gates, and -- under the scenario above -- the carrying of personal wallets.

This is going no where if you are going to be impossible. I mean you are putting "farting" on the same level as theft!!! I'd rather have someone fart in my face than steal my hard earned money as would you. If you say otherwise, you are a dirty lair. You are doing it because he has a valid point and that is the best you have. Come back to this conversation when you can quit being so ridiculous.

I think that I would be willing to give up at least $5 for that not to happen. I guess that makes me a "dirty lair" [sic].

Calm down a bit, eh? This is just a discussion.

I do have a question for you though. Since when was theft one of the reasons that airport security stopped allowing non-flyers through security?

Honestly, I think the mere mention of theft is a big, red herring in this discussion having to do with TSA security at airports which we all know has to do with terrorism.

Thanks, oneant. You are correct in interpreting the point of my post, which was to illustrate that eyecue's comment about theft is really incidental to what constitutes legitimate security. Thus, the deliberate ridiculousness on my part of juxtaposing farting and theft.

Speaking of discussion, I would appreciate it, United737522, if you'd edit your personal attack on me. Calling someone a dirty liar is TOS violation. But since I'm party to this discussion with you, I'll have to recuse myself from moderating it now.

But he did not call you that. I think it was more about the cleanliness of your home as best as I can figure.

Ah, check. I must say, my desk(s) are rather cluttered and not just a smidge dusty.

Oh? The cause of this tragedy was expired ID? Now that's tough to argue! The cause of this tragedy was so obviously a weapon in the hands of someone determined to settle a score. How you bring expired ID's into the equation, other than it being a tangential quote from wherever you got this, is lost on me.
Apparently you haven't been paying attention as the MCO rampers just recently smuggled multiple handguns and an M-16 onto a Comair flight to SJU. Get your head out from wherever you stuck it, and take an objective look at the lay-out of the typical airport. Access to the "sterile" area is easily available to a huge variety of airline and serice personnel via a card swipe and a code entry, if that. Weapon through there? Easy, as so often proven. ID expired or not? Total red herring.
ID verification <> improved security !!!

Let's back this thread down to a dull roar, folks, and keep it on topic.

LessO2 started the thread reporting on TSA ID checks that have been started in DEN.

Since then the thread has wandered all over the map. And tempers have been short as they are wont to do on some TS/S threads.

Please stay on topic and respect your fellow FT'ers.

Thanks.


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Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

Three weeks ago TSA got an expired employee badge at DEN. It was a pilot and the badge was expired 2 years.

Not to the degree that is required now.

Horrifying!

I bet the person just wanted to minimize his/her contact with the TSA Shoe Perverts.