USA Today yesterday had an article about a new craze sweeping air travelers. With the need to have your ID out constantly, there are not only many fears of losing the ID, but other problems with the hassle of getting it out all the time. The solution from retailers is to create a lanyard which hangs around your neck and has a see-through plastic front. Southwest airlines sent all of there elite members one of these (with Southwest logo).

My question is this: Does Flyertalk have these? If not, are there any plans to create any??? These would be very practical and a very easy way to identify flyertalk people!!!!

See ya in the skies!!!

My company makes these and I don't wear one (shh! Don't tell my boss) for 2 reasons 1) I don't want everyone seeing my ID and 2) I feel like I'm at a trade show. I carry a nice travel portfolio which holds my passport and boarding passes nicely and imho, is a better way to travel.

Since some states use your SS# as driver's license number, as well as your personal home information being visable, I do not recommend having this information so accessible to anyone who wants to have a look.

But, if Flyer Talk wants some with their logo, I'd be happy to help out

Not that I'm complaining, but I'm a Southwest "elite" (companion pass holder) and didn't get one of these lanyards. A friend who rarely flies WN did receive one.

While it's a practical idea, I'm not sure how many travelers would want to wear them. If you visit the Southwest board, a thred has started where people post their "lanyard sightings". Pretty funny.

WNLuvr

The desk attendant at the US Airways Club in PIT last weekend asked me if I wanted one--sure, I said. Now the question is whether I have the nerve to wear it! (not bad looking--clear plastic sleeve and heavy navy blue cord)

I personally prefer the belt-clip with a self-retracting extension cord. You can pull up your ID (or prox-card) to the appropriate level and not have it bouncing around on your chest as you move around.

I also wear the ID pouch backwards so the clear plastic side faces me. I don't need a random stranger reading it as I walk around.

I got an email from these folks recently. Might be of interest:

http://www.easytravelair.com

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
http://www.biztrip.com

I would never wear one. It's not required to have some sort of photo ID visible at all times while in the secured area of an airport.

I show my ID to check in. Show it at the Admirals Club (AA asks for this now). Show it at the gate when I board. The ID goes in the ticket jacket with the boarding pass. That is where it stays until I board.

I have an old one, the plastic is fuzzy. ID useable, but not readable from more than a few inches. However, as I am not a poodle, I don't intend to wear a dog tag.

I'm not much of a reactionary or "privacy" obsessed, but I think this is a bit extreme.

I have a license from the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles, which I obtained using a tattered birth certificate when I was 17 (that was a long time ago.)
In other words, I don't think it proves much.

In many cases, there are only two ID checks:
Check-in and boarding. Some airports require a third at the security checkpoint (this seems to vary by time of day, screener, airport, mood, etc.)

I can't imagine what purpose it would serve to have an ID check at any additional point. So let's not encourage ID enthusiasts by volunteering identification wherever we go.

And let's not forget our chum in Paris with his fake passport and C4 shoes. Obviously the rather thorough, multiple ID checks in Europe didn't make any difference.

Is it really that difficult to take your ID out of your wallet? Are people going to start wearing lanyards when they go to liquor stores or bars too? I can't believe anybody would even CONSIDER wearing one of these things!

Further discussion of the EasyTravelAir Security Pouch in today's Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2002Aug2.html