A few years ago I took a different route to normal to SEA from LHR via MSP. On boarding the MSP->SEA leg we were told, over the PA system that we could put away our photo id as it was not legal under state law to ask for it and a boarding card would suffice.

Given the fact that you can buy a ticket online, check in electronically and board without any ID, how can there be any pretence of security and, for that matter no-fly lists. Does anyone know if this has changed at all and is this state of affairs more widespread than just MSP?

They rarely ask for ID when boarding anymore.

Since I don't support "no fly" lists, this doesn't bother me.

Requirement to show ID is pretence of security.

Supposedly if you are on the no-fly list, you will not be able to check in online or print your BP from a kiosk; you will have to deal with an agent, who will ask for ID.

This whole thing misses the fact that you could easily have a fake ID and have booked the ticket under the fake ID's name.

The fact that the US withholds some individuals from the no-fly list due to their names / the fact they are considered threats are "sensitive information" makes it all the more useless.

Coming from LHR - wouldn't you have to show your ID going through customs & immigration?

Further - everyone who is beginning a trip must show ID to clear the checkpoint. Therefore, there shouldn't be a need to check AGAIN at the gate.

We've discussed it at length - but checking IDs doesn't do much (if anything) for security.

-Chris

Given that the OP is asking about a flight "a few years ago," I assume it predated September 11, 2001. Whether there was ever a Minnesota law prohibiting that airlines request ID - I don't know. There is no such law in effect right now, in MN or any other state.

As everyone else has pointed out, photo ID does NOT equal security. It equals pretend security or an illusion of security, but doesn't equal real security.

That said, flyers in MN are not exempt from the general requirement to show photo ID to fly. As others have said, of course, failure to show ID just gets you the "you must be the terrorist we've been looking for" treatment.

You're right that ID checks are about pretense of security, rather than security itself.

Given that it is trivial to get a fake ID,
given that this is so easy that any teenager can get fake ID,
given that ID requirements do essentially nothing to add real security against any serious terrorist,
I'm surprised that anyone would expect ID checks to have anything to do with security against terrorism.

They don't. They just protect the airlines' interests in trading, selling or bartering the tickets.

With the explosion in self-serve kiosks, you do not need to show an ID to a human at the airline anymore. Those thrid-party folks checking the IDs are there to stay.

But I am eager to learn of the decision out of that case filed in court regarding that requirement. For cost-cutting reasons, I bet the airlines are lobbying harder to keep the ID checkers than the TSA might be.

I think LAX is the last airport I can think of that checks IDs on domestic flights.

They don't even check IDs anymore on internationals out of ORD, IAD or DEN.

This is what I love about this web site. It's damned-if-we-do and damned-if-we-don't.

I agree that checking IDs does nothing to really enhance security other than catch the dumb criminal who is stupid enough to use his or her actual ID and get involved in a security or police incident so that when an NCIC check is made, all the priors and outstanding warrants pop up.

However, the true focus of airport security screening is on people and items, not their identities. That is the concern of law enforcement agencies NOT screeners. In other words, we could care less who you are. We're just concerned that you don't have any prohibited items/weapons in your possession or any bombs in your checked baggage.

I've made it no secret that I'm not a big fan of the selectee process. Same goes for the no-fly list. The way I see it, if someone is that much of a security concern that they should be prevented from boarding a commercial airliner, then instead of a no-fly list, we need an arrest warrant! Otherwise, it's silly to have a no-fly list because a real criminal would avoid drawing attention to himself by exposing his true identity unnecessarily where the police can do a quick NCIC check. However, criminals don't always do the smart thing. But I digress.

The criticisms made in here against the ID policy come across as saying we shouldn't ask for them since they can be easily faked. However, we are expected to take for granted that a military person, law enforcement officer, air crew member, elderly person, etc should be spared the indignity of airport security screening because of who they claim/appear to be. Well, which one is it? You can't have it both ways.

Just an observation, folks.

Which airlines at LAX? I've never had UA or UAX ask for ID at LAX.

thread reminded me that the whole notion of checking id was a marketing tool brought on by the airlines when they wanted to stop the giving/selling/sharing of tickets. it had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with security.

Post 9/11. 2 years ago if I remember correctly (flights tend to blur together). I wasn't stating that there was a law (just passing on what I remember being told) NOR that it would prevent or enhance security, just that I find it odd that for an administration that pays so much lip service to security that they'd leave such an obvious hole.

It was late August of last year on UA, a flight from LAX to SEA.

Have they changed? I don't fly west coast often, and since UA has DEN-HNL direct, I don't fly through LAX as often.

I don't see anyone here stating a desire for exemptions for such people. Patting down people who can barely walk is a separate thread and discussion. As for the 'indignity' of the whole ridiculous SOP, and its selective and arbitrary application is yet another thread, having been discussed billions of time already.

As stated earlier, the ID thing is likely not going away -- primarily because it involves the airlines' money situation (tickets could be sold or bartered).