The TSA has a new policy on flying without an ID. It used to be that you would be subject to secondary screening. Annoying, but no big deal. Now they’ll decide whether to let you do that based on your attitude.
Beginning Saturday, June 21, 2008 passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint will be denied access to the secure area of airports. This change will apply exclusively to individuals that simply refuse to provide any identification or assist transportation security officers in ascertaining their identity.
This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers.
One Mile at a Time calls it “TSA’s dumbest policy ever.”
I disagree. There are plenty equally dumb things that the TSA has done. But this is one of their more offensive things to human liberty.
Now not only do you have to follow their rules, you have to like it. TSA employees hold your right to fly in their hands, at their discretion, and you must be compliant since your cooperativeness is a subjective factor in determining whether or not you will be permitted to travel.
And of course the announcement wouldn’t be complete without an element of Orwellian Newspeak.
This initiative is the latest in a series designed to facilitate travel for legitimate passengers while enhancing the agency’s risk-based focus – on people, not things.
New rules regarding IDs – which are things constitutes the TSA not focusing on things. More cumbersome rules facilitate travel because of course only those who can travel under their rules are in fact legitimate passengers.
The madness must stop.
The TSA has already been doing this. There are stories about people being denied passage for not showing ID. I think its just plain weird anyway because you needed that ID to obtain your boarding pass from the ticket counter….and not having it 5 minutes later?
I’ve had a couple chances of (legitimately) flying without ID, with a valid excuse. If the airilne doesnt deny you, you’re in…you get instant selectee status and a big ** NO ID ** on your boarding pass.
1) It’s easy to get your boarding pass without ID, either online or at a checkin kiosk.
2) The point of this story is that selectee status for lack of ID will no longer be automatic, but at the discretion of the TSA and based on your attitude.
The TSA has already been doing this. There are stories about people being denied passage for not showing ID. I think its just plain weird anyway because you needed that ID to obtain your boarding pass from the ticket counter….and not having it 5 minutes later?
1) It’s easy to get your boarding pass without ID, either online or at a checkin kiosk.
2) The point of this story is that selectee status for lack of ID will no longer be automatic, but at the discretion of the TSA and based on your attitude.
The problem is very soon in future getting on the plane will be even difficult. Security check points is getting more and more. I don’t want to fly if i really don’t have to.
It’s easy to get your boarding pass without ID, either online or at a checkin kiosk.
The problem is very soon in future getting on the plane will be even difficult.
I’ve had a couple chances of (legitimately) flying without ID, with a valid excuse. If the airilne doesnt deny you, you’re in…you get instant selectee status and a big ** NO ID ** on your boarding pass.
The point of this story is that selectee status for lack of ID will no longer be automatic, but at the discretion of the TSA and based on your attitude.