Having got up late and in a rush I get to the head of the screening line at SEA and discover I have no ID. Panic sets in as I expect I'll be bounced out and miss my flight. But actually it didn't matter. I just got put on the slow line, got screened normally and went on my way. At SJC I asked the supervisor there about getting back and he said no id was no problem - you just some extra screening.

Funny thing is that I mentioned this to a couple of people and they were SHOCKED. In fact one guy I told in the waiting area got really nervous.

So there must be some policy to accomodate the lame brains like me and the privacy nuts who don't want to show id.

Alan

Person without ID will be made a selectee (automatic SSSS).

I'm sure someone here who complained about having IDs checked will now complain about this.

Well, just to keep it interesting, there have been a few reported cases (can't find any links) where other pax have whined/complained to no end about feeling unsafe flying on a plane that has another pax without ID.

At least one was documented on the (hilarious) show "Airline." I think a few have made the news because the person complained/whined so much that either they or the id-less person ended up not taking the flight.

Always good conversation in this case to ask the "nervous" person what good ID does for "security" when the validity/background of the id/id-holder are not verified. Then remind the "nervous" person that you can get an illegal but valid-looking fake ID for a few bucks on the street near any college campus or major crime center or go to a Mexican consulate, claim to be an illegal immigrant with no documentation, and get a perfectly legal but still completely fake ID, or visit the DMV in one of the several states that gives documents to illegal immigrants now, claim to be an illegal immigrant, and get a perfectly legal but still completely fake ID. If you're lucky, it will make the person think a little and realize that a laminated piece of paper with your picture and a 2-3 word phrase matching one on your ticket (i.e., a name) says nothing about security.

There have been several posts here on FlyerTalk in the past 3 years about a failure to check IDs at the airport. The tone of the posts usually equates failure to check IDs with knowingly allowing passage of a bomb and machine guns.

Or go to MacArthur Park here and get a valid-looking fake Matricula Consular! Only 20 bucks!

This sadly shows how people are likely to accept implausible "security" reasons for additional restrictions on them. It is "common sense" that ID checking improves security, but no one can explain why.

You just need to confront them with a very straight face and say "yeah, and you know, I read someplace that when the forces went through bunkers in Iraq they found plans for fake ID machines. I'm glad we dealt with the terrorists before they developed that technology."

The key is, keep a straight face. Life is much more interesting when people don't know whether you are kidding or not.

I guess GBW counts each ID checker as a "job created". I went to the local courthouse recently and I had to go through the metal detector and show ID. I remarked to the armed uniformed guy I understood the metal detector part but why the ID bit. He calmly said "For your security sir". I was underwhelmed but "felt" safer. <G>

MisterNice

Want to park at NYNY Hotel and Casino in Vegas? Gotta flash your DL upon entering the garage. But I'm sure that's just to make sure you're a licensed driver in case you get into an accident in the parking deck.

This country is on the way towards the day so of "your papers sir!".

We do it, and think NOTHING of it. But, anyone with an IQ above 10 can quickly figure out this is foolishness.