Checking ID is a valid security measure? Checking ID isn't a security measure at all. Fake IDs are easier to get than real ones (and look just as good), and fake identities matched to real IDs are only slightly more difficult. Boarding passes are even easier to forge than IDs.

Since the ID checker is not validating the name to the ID to a list, there are far too many moving parts between the airline's list check and the person appearing at the checkpoint for the process to add value to security.

It's pure theater, and an easy production to stage for the benefit of the sheeple and the airline's bottom line.

Unless, of course, you were commenting on the ID check being a valid security measure to protect against unauthorized ticket transfers - which it is, since hardly anyone would go to the trouble of forging an ID to take one trip using another person's ticket.

Forging identities is child's play. I can either make a trip to the 'hood' and get it done there, or I can go all out - buy citizenship from a country like Belize with a new name, then use that Belize passport to apply for a drivers license in a state without visa requirements (Hawai'i, for one), and voila - a valid drivers license with my photo, a real address and a totally fake name.

These security measures will never catch the well prepared and determined.

It has about as much validity as a hole in Swiss cheese has cheese.

The problem with the "logic" in what you mentioned above is that the additional search has no benefit other than a marginally higher chance of locating explosives on the stupidest of terrorists -- in other words it won't do anything against a 9/11-type operation since they'd already know in advance of (they and their persons) getting screened at the checkpoint who will be and will not be flagged for the additional screening.

I suggest the idiots in DHS/DHS-TSA management seek out to re-discover what KSM knew about CAPPS-type selection and then think why it means ID checks should be scrapped as a faux security measure.

Checking ID is a valid security measure only when access requires certain background vetting, and the person doing the checking has direct access to the list of individuals for which access is permitted. E.g. crossing the border with a passport verifies that access is permitted through the use of Visas or database checks.... it is, therefore, a form of security to the border. Likewise, ID checking is a legitimate form of access control to restricted facilities where the checker has a means to verify that the individual is permitted access.

For a public facility, such as an airport, the ID check means absolutely nothing in terms of security.

Back in the 60's while traveling by train (with eurrail pass) when you entered austria, they looked at the cover of your passport (i think the usa was green then) and that satisifed them that you were ok.
I was departing switzerland about 2 months ago and again all the "passport" people looked at was the cover of my passport.

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/...uirements.shtm

I, however, was recently denied entry to the secure area of an airport because I declined to show ID.

Has Kip now been given the power to overturn a court's decision, a la Chertoff's power to void any law of this country? Or has another secret law been enacted that now makes it illegal to fly without ID?

Someone just doesn't seem to understand that if a passenger is serious about not wanting to be "positively" identified, he/she is going to present ID that appears legitimate but is not - and the TSA will never know the difference.

Remind me again how showing ID without checking it against any list whatsoever enhances security?

And why should a person be treated differently if they refuse to show ID versus saying they lost it?

Sounds like Gilmore should give this another go. The whole reason his case turned out like it did was that TSA said he could fly without ID. Now if that's going out the window ... what's TSA going to stand on?

Ihre papieren, bitte!

It does't. Oh wait, yes it does...it enhances the airlines' security in the form of revenue protection.
Saying you lost your ID, wallet stolen etc. makes you a victim. Victims always cooperate with authorities, after all, they're there to help. So if you are the hapless victim, then you would do everything--even giving up personal data like name, DOB, place of birth, SSN, blood type etc--to assist TSA in identifying you so you can catch your flight.

OTOH if you're just some privacy crackpot who refuses to play the Emperor's game, well then you're not flying anywhere and were it up to them, you'd be off to the local jail for not respecting their autho-ra-tay.

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.
*infinity.

"TSA Announces Enhancements to Airport ID Requirements to Increase Safety"

See, it's an Enhancement. Who can possibly be against an Enhancement?

It's like the mad third grader taking his ball and going home. Mikey and Kippy got stuffed by the States over their Real ID National Identity Card plan, so they had their political appointee staff work overtime to "Find a loophole that will allow us to implement Internal Passports and stuff those few Flyertalkers blogging about rights and freedom and rubbish." They did.

Sadly, on June 21 my sig will come true. Uncle Joe, you won the Cold War, come collect your country.

I would imagine that if you do the "I lost my ID" thing not only will you get to be visited by a SPOT-nik and a cop, but you and your bags will get the third degree in a search.

Where's a good place to hide an ID so it can't be found in a search? As a woman, I know where I would put mine.

How long before what seems to be a proscription against flying if you refuse to provide ID is challenged?

Yep. They'll be making a point to TRY and find an ID. It'll make today's wallet searches look trivial.

I hope it's soon. And I hope that there is huge media coverage of cases where folks who are dealing with a family crisis, and have lost their ID, are accused wrongly of willfully refusing to show ID and are denied the ability to see a loved one before they pass.

This is simply a power play to demonstrate that they have the power over the people.

Seal it in your checked luggage, after showing it to the airline check-in agent...then you can honestly answer that you do not have an ID on your person or carry-on belongings...

I won't check luggage - if I can't fit it in a carry-on, it doesn't go with me.