Welcome to FlyerTalk, Boston_Bulldog!

The TSA should not be permitted to ask for ID at all. It is none of their business who flies.

:D re: repetitive tasks.

You don't need blacklights for that (they definitely ARE attempting to do a "valid-ID" check, despite such being well out of their area of alleged competence, to say nothing of legitimate authority), and it doesn't take anyone with a triple-digit IQ >10-15 seconds AT MOST to compare a pic in hand to an individual standing in front of them.

Oh, right... :rolleyes: This is the TSA we're talking about. Reason, logic, physics, chemistry, common sense, and consistency do not apply (it'd make things easier for the terra'ists, don'cha know).

Welcome aboard, Boston_Bulldog!

THANX Erictank for the welcome.

I didn't say nor imply that TSAs have common sense.
I said they're mindless robotic morons aka @s@oes

Haven't seen one of those Zombies yet who appeared
to have a full deck of cards upstairs under their skull. :eek:

Maybe you can answer this question:
Is an ID still valid if it does not come with an expiration date? For instance, my US issued Naturalization Certificate has no expiration date since my US citizenship doesn't expire until I do. But at most checkpoints they refuse to accept it saying it requires a future expiration date to be valid. My argument that it is valid even without an expiration date falls on deaf ears. Usually this requires me going to secondary, even after requesting clarification from a supervisor.

If you want a good laugh, try calling the TSA customer comment line and asking them what constitutes a "valid ID" and if an expiration date is required.

While not a fan of the TSA, not sure I would categorize them like this. Have you ever seen an inspector in an emerging region performing visual inspections for 8 hours? They have a similar look and yet I have seen them pull out bad parts that even an engineer would have had a hard time spotting.

Typically people hire personnel that fits a job and pay scale. My issue is not with the TSA as much as the PAX who can not figure out basic protocol.

Sorry, but TSA basic protocol SUCKS.

No one should have to show ID, participate in the Shoe Carnival or Liquid Idiocy, remove their coats or their laptops, or play along with any of the other many stupid, unncessary "security" protocols that were instituted and maintained by jackass "leaders" of the TSA. Resistance, whether willful or incidental, should be applauded. Screw the TSA's "leaders" and protocol designers.

Technically, the words state "If an expiration date is present...". However, as we all know the TSA does not know their own regulations and tends to make it up when they need an answer right away.

I use an old INSPass with no printed expiration date for domestic travel, and the ID checkers (TSA and otherwise) spend about 3x more time looking for an expiration date than they do looking at my face and the photo on the ID. :rolleyes:

They clearly don't like it, but I've yet to have a serious problem other than questions about "where's the expiration date?" Some of the checkers have been unimpressed with my answer of, "my name doesn't expire, so why should my ID?" :)

Expiration date checking is just another precursor to government denying basic functions like travel. The only reason to have an expiration date is so that the government can take away that function in the future. (This premise applies perfectly to drivers licenses; having an expiration period of 5 years allows them to re-check your eyes, etc. periodically to see if you are still safe on the roads.)

I, for one, am disgusted by the idea of having to re-apply for the right to travel domestically every few years. (note I said travel, not drive. I do not debate the need for periodic vision checks for drivers.) Using an unconventional ID is one small step against the impending national ID (and the inevitable "application" process to obtain the "privilege" of travel).

I use my old INSPass as well. It does have an expiration date on the back but it's buried in the three lines of characters. I challenge any ID checker to figure out where it is.

Sadly, it's even less acceptable than other forms of ID and it was issued by INS which was wrapped up into DHS