Enough Is Enough!
 

This thread has pushed me over the line.

What do we do? I feel so hopeless. Me, and so many others, have posted comments on TSA's blog, and it's useless - it's like we're talking to a brick wall. Now they're going to actually verify the information, so we can't just fake a "Joe Smith" scenario.

Is there anything we can do about this new non-ID airport rule?

Please, let's discuss this... we need to take action.

Andrew

if having to answer your political affiliation is required to verify your identity as posted elsewhere, that is a very chilling prospect. I dont think too many people would be comfortable with that.

I agree this is over the line and without reason. All the other nonsense, the shoe carnival, the liquid baggie stuff, all PITA but more annoying than anything. This is the TSA getting outright abusive, and it does need to be stopped. I always thought a day of action was useless, but in this case if one were organized I would buy a ticket just to be sure to be a part of it, and contact my representatives local and national and invite them. It's beyond acceptable.

I find carrying a valid ID takes care of the issue.... :D

Me too. It's not about carrying one. It's about the government demanding to see your ID without reason (Do you want to fly today is NOT a reason).

Yes. These new measures are significantly more invasive than presenting photo ID. Very scary.

Maybe my newly minted Sam's Club card or my pending photo credit cards will work :rolleyes:.

People lose IDs all the time. When I was at the DMV in March there were 2 people in line with me who needed new IDs to catch a flight the next day. If they are in a different state that is not an option though.

North Carolina really needs to get Libertarian accepted as a valid party for registration so I can state my affiliation and get a response such as "oh, you're one of those!"

Travel isn't fun anymore. Every angle seems to suck more. TSA, FF programs, work policies.

That's fine. But what happens when your wallet is stolen, you lose your passport, or for whatever reason you really do get to the airport without ID? Are you ok with this type of verification before allowing you through the checkpoint?

To wharvey, I know the easier approach would just be to carry an ID, submit, and get it over with. However, some people truly will be inconvenienced in this (such as those who are almost late for their flight, in a rush, going through a hard time, Deaf/mute/blind/other disabled passengers). And, it's also the principle - the old way worked just fine, and this new policy does absolutely nothing for true security and safety. It's a waste of time, money, and resources, and above all, intrusive - especially for domestic travel. Just give people who don't have their ID a SSSS and move on.

That's why I think it's important we DO SOMETHING now before TSA decides to take a step further (doing this for every traveller instead of those who just forgot their ID, or having ID scanners connected to a database). They're already going too far, and they're ignoring many valid cries from a big number of people. Just look at all the comments - in the past, people would argue about a policy, but this certain policy seems to bring out an unanimous outcry.

Honestly, I carry enough identification that I do not believe I would ever have this problem.

But, if it did happen, I honestly have no problem with whatever verification the federal government has established when I do not have my ID.

I know many disagree on principle, but it works for me.

I wrote to my two senators, Lautenberg and Menendez, about the new ID mess, but as usual I do not expect to receive any response as neither has responded to any of my concerns in the past.

Not that it makes a difference, but I am sure they are not going to ask the same three questions to everyone. They will have to mix it up to keep up the consistent inconsistency. I am not a big fan of the new procedure, but I haven't had to deal with it yet either. (Meaning, I haven't had a passenger without ID yet).

Well, I've thought about this, and here's our potential options - feel free to add in the mix.

1) Write our Congresspeople.
2) Create an online petition. (Not always effective, but may have a bit of impact?)
3) Organize a "No-ID" day, flooding TSA with no-ID passengers to deal with. (Either can be at a specific airport, or nationwide. Nationwide may be more effective, but will require more coordination. Can be spread to a few days, in different regions.)
4) Flood TSA HDq with letters. (Probably won't be very effective, tho.)
5) Organize a protest at airports by going up to the ID checkers with signs and/or verbal protests.
6) Do nothing. Just let this roll by. (No way, jose.)

That makes me wish we could register as a party of one, and the name of the party could include G. Carlin's Seven Dirty Words. That would shut them up.

the TS&S forum always amazes me how it manages to build such monumental mountains out of such tiny molehills. Is flipping out over having to show ID really a battle worth fighting? If so, why???

Were you to use the search function you would probably find the TS&S forum to be even more amazing than you think.

Asked and answered many times. Read the forums. And yes, it's a battle worth fighting.

Super! You're always so sensible and have good ideas ;) Please give us some ideas for what to do next.

Well? Still waiting for more ideas/action. It seems like the passion for this has fizzled or something.

Trying to get TSA to answer is one big thing. They've gotten out the propaganda machine and are trying to discredit the critics with cherry picked sayings from post.

Really struck a nerve.

Keep the pressure on them.

I've been writing over there, but I don't do it under this handle. Though if you think about it long enough, you can probably figure out which ones are mine.

I agree, Super. TSA seems to be at their wit's end...trying to BS their way out of this.

I think we still should organize a protest or a day of flying w/out ID, though... and much to my surprise, I haven't seen anyone post their experiences flying w/out ID with this new policy here.

I don't really have a trip on my next flight as it's an international trip. They won't buy that I forgot my passport and I really want to go on this vacation ...

They got me by the short and curlies. I hate it. :mad:

Just curious, Super, in your opinion, why do you think TSA made this new policy if the old one worked just fine? What was their point?

I think TSA honestly wants to keep us safe. However there are a few issues at play here:

1. The problem is that they have no clue how to do it.

2. The belief that if security is good, then more security is better. (This is a cycle that's never ending).

3. They know that they can't implement their security plan all at once. I think part of this is because it takes time to develop this crap, get approval and so on ... the government is inherently inefficient and slow. The other part is the "frog in the pot" situation ... if they clamp down too much too quickly, people won't go for it. Add inconvenience a little at a time in the name of security and people won't blink at it. They'll think "Well, we're already doing this, so it seems like the next logical step" or "Well, we already have to do this, so what's one more thing?"

The thing is if you're trying to get something you know is controversial like SecureFlight pushed thru, you have to lay the ground work of control down and that takes time.

4. They think that the ends justify the means. They think that they can either twist or ignore law that's inconvenient to achieve the aim of securing aviation. As long as that aim's "achieved", oh well if someone's rights get trampled on.

JMO.

Super

There was a thread a few months back with an FTer who was working on setting up a 527 group or PAC to work on this issue in DC. I haven't seen any update on that recently, although I do recall that there was quite a bit of support from the FT community.

ETA: This thread is the one I was thinking of...sounds like things are coming along!^

Well, what do you think can be done to convince TSA to rescind their new ID policy and go back to their old "no ID, you're SSSS'ed" policy? It seems so hopeless.

Why not organize #5, on a nationwide basis. Not going up to the ID checkers necessarily, just having signs, telling people to NOT give in to these rules, etc. Surely we could get a BUNCH of FT people, across the country, to spend a Saturday at a LOT of airports, with signs, protesting these rules? Organizing it would be easy on this site. Then we send a few emails to the networks, and let them cover it at every airport we can hit.

Nothing illegal, nothing they could be upset about, just pure demonstrations. The more we NOT interfere with operations, the better. The networks could show "See, they just don't like the new rules. They don't want to interfere."

(Side note: I may have taken a few hits from some of the more VOCAL TSA bashers, but this sounds like a GREAT idea!!!!!!!!)

Wonderful! I LOVE that idea! One thing that worries me is that some airport cops could kick you out for "distrubing the peace" or something like that...but it can't hurt to try.

I'm far away from the nearest airport right now :( I'm in California...but if this policy continues on then whenever I get back to DC for school, I'll be in at DCA for sure.

I guess our next step is to discuss when, where, and have posters be made. I'll volunteer to make some posters with text and send it out to whoever's going.

I've been thinking about the Disturbing The Peace. What can they do, if we are simply walking around with signs, saying something like "Tell your Congressman you hate the new TSA rules." Or something like that? Sure airports are somewhat "private" property, but if we had media coverage, I think we would be OK.

I really think the trick will be to NOT disturbing anything. Actually, if people want to talk, either take it outside, or tell them to see website xyz.com. It would help if that other thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...&highlight=527 had the website up and running before we did anything. Sorry, I don't know how to link to another post. If someone can tell me how in a PM I will fix this post.

Also, maybe we should move this to a PM based discussion? Lurkers?

I'd be up for it. Though I'm going on vacation for two weeks on Sunday.

I of course prefer BWI, but I could make a trip to DCA or IAD if needs be. Now's a good time for me as I don't have my son for the summer.

i'd be willing to help

you should be ok as long as you're not disturbing, like you said. i noticed a sign at STL saying that the airport has to let people on their grounds that distribute flyers or whatever, and that they don't endorse it (aka the 1st amendment right to assemble and protest and free speech)

Not sure that's going to work at SFO. They have "free speech" kiosks between the AA and UA counters (maybe elsewhere, but those are the ones I always walk by), and the same folks seem to be in those soliciting for their causes every time I walk by. You don't run across folks like you do at the bottom of the escalators at LAX.

I'd be very careful about checking airport ordinances to make sure you're in compliance.

I can wear my KHIAI t-shirt :D

I used a Prague monthly transport pass to board WN flights a couple years ago. It has my picture, name, and a whole bunch of holograms and stuff written in Czech. I was a bit shocked they didn't bat an eye at it.

yea you guys should probably consult a real attorney on this one. i only play one on FT:D