pmocek

The TSA blog finally addressed the new TSA airport ID rule that is to become effective on June 21, 2008. See "Why is ID Important for Security?" posted today.

It begins:

GUWonder

The following comment was submitted.

Let's see if they publish it.

pmocek

Based on my experience there, I'd say that it is likely they will. They do require moderation before posting comments, but even those that are critical of their actions seem to get posted.

thesaints

Don't you already have to show an ID piece in most countries to go through security ?

Some 10 years ago (well before 9/11 and DHS and well after Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union) it already struck me as rather peculiar how the US was the only country where I could walk up to a gate area with no ID and no ticket.

You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else - W. Churchill

Jaimito Cartero

I've flown domestically in many countries and never shown ID. No removal of laptop. I can keep my shoes on, even.

Within the last two weeks, I've flown through SIN, BKK, CGK, CMB, NRT and LAX. Do you care to guess which location I got hassled at? Some countries know how to do it professionally (NRT, in particular), while others are just a bunch of Yayhoos.

MikeMpls

Australia last month, 3 flights on Virgin Blue: No ID check, boarding pass only mattered at the gate when it was scanned, liquids ok thru security, shoes stay on unless they alarm.

As an American, that doesn't strike me as the least bit peculiar.

the_happiness_store

What do you mean by liquids OK through security? No 3-1-1?

MikeMpls

They dumb down only for international flights.

GUWonder

Not to government officials to fly domestically.

n301dp

Last week I flew through TLV on El Al. I had to remove my shoes, but didn't have to remove my laptop. The security people actually treated passengers with dignity and respect, with no yelling or snide comments. My checked bag (luckily) didn't get searched, but everyone who was with me that had theirs searched said the process was friendly and in full view.

Flew through BOG last year and thought it was way more stringent than TLV. Aside from the stern police officers that checked my luggage before the gate, it was way more pleasant than dealing with the TSA. I can't remember, but I do not believe I had to take my shoes off or laptop out.

My point? The TSA is a joke. I'm half-tempted to go buy a couple of refundable tickets and play some games with them here in DEN until the 21st.

Flaflyer

TSA Blogger Bob sez: At 5:19 PM, how convenient, post PR after 5:

"a well-known endeavor of professionals and college kids alike that could potentially circumvent the no-fly list.
We’ve caught everything from Spring Breakers with terrible IDs"


Kip: "Well 7 years on and no more AlKidda attacks, guess we got those folks who want to kill all Americans and destroy the West under control. What group poses the next biggest threat to the American Way?"
TSA Staff Lackey: "College kids and frat boy pranksters."
Kip: "Get on it. So let it be ordered, so let it be done."

Oh I feel SOOOOOO much safer. Chertoff could not get REAL ID passed, so he institutes a knee jerk reaction "FAKE ID Ban".

1. They have a link to the fake boarding pass generator, as justification for the Fake ID Ban. Uh, the date on that link is just under TWO YEARS old. How could Kip endanger the 1.25 billion pax who have safely flown with this known danger to civil aviation since October, 2006?

2. They claim this is to prevent circumventing the no-fly list. TDCs check the name on an ID handed to them by the pax, and compare it to a BP handed to them by the pax. Anyone but me see a big loophole here? Since they do not check the names against the No Fly List, this Fake ID Ban does NOTHING to stop "Mr. O. B. Laden" from flying today.

3. "We're out to catch Spring Breakers". Memo to College Kids: Who's your Daddy? Kip Hawley!

Smaug

All college kids who look somewhat youthful (at least half of them) just have to do is claim they are under 18. Therefore, no ID would be needed.

N830MH

Is that taking TSA keep own responsibility during ID checkers? If someone who gotten fake ID but, they will be result to refusal into the strelie area. It could be arrested someone for charges the fraudulent identifications. They need show the proper ID instead of false information as fake name. It's mostly important for protect the identify. I thinks TSA will be improvable aviation security.

As for shoes policy but, TSA has no evidence the shoes at all for 7 years. Its does not have common problems about Richard Reid by shoes bomber during transatlantic flight from CDG-MIA but, it was diverted to BOS. I knows some of those passengers were retraining him. I seen enough for too long time while passengers must to be required take shoes off. I thinks they had long enough for all of those years about shoes rules. TSA need to be completely forgettable in the past. Let it go already! I thinks TSA will eventually changeable the shoes rules and pleased allowed them go through the metal detector instead of removal shoes into the x-ray machines.

Steph3n

these rules are totally bogus, I could get in anyday of the week IF I WANTED without any valid data. I have no desire to do this and it would be an utter waste of my time

njmcgreg

Ahh, the good ol' days of getting to wear shoes in the civilized world.