ID checks for domestic pax?

[drewbles]

I was going to disregard this thread, as it is not really anything worthy of debate. But then I read the linked article and I was outraged!!

Since when was the word "fugitive" used in Australia???????

I blame Jack Bauer (and all LOTFAP TV for that matter)

 

[JohnK]

There can't be many like you

You can say I am unique. They broke the mould.

 

[hotanddusty]

What rubbish! it would take no more time than it is now showing your Q card or phone and by doing this it just might slow the drug takers and dealer down a little and give the authorities a more reliable picture of who is going where.

 

[dajop]

What rubbish! it would take no more time than it is now showing your Q card or phone and by doing this it just might slow the drug takers and dealer down a little and give the authorities a more reliable picture of who is going where.

Don't think authorities care too much about where the drug takers are travelling too, just the dealers.

And I seriously doubt ID checks would make a difference. Taking a wild stab in the dark here - I'm sort of assuming that anyone involved in drug running in a major way would have the motivation, means and wherewithal to organise some fake IDs and travel under different names if they knew IDs were being checked. We're not talking law abiding citizens here who might have some moral qualms about using fake ID.

 

[Milefest]

And I seriously doubt ID checks would make a difference. Taking a wild stab in the dark here - I'm sort of assuming that anyone involved in drug running in a major way would have the motivation, means and wherewithal to organise some fake IDs and travel under different names if they knew IDs were being checked. We're not talking law abiding citizens here who might have some moral qualms about using fake ID.

Which is why I don't think this is seriously being considered.

They caught 60 people last three years. That's less than 0.000001% of pax caught travelling under false names.

But maybe we should mildly inconvenience the other 99.999999% of pax for an ineffective measure that will cost more money and time.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

The real agenda here has nothing to do with air travel.
They expected a backlash to that announcement. In response to the backlash they will seek the alternative which they foreshadowed.
That is, giving the AFP the power to conduct random ID checks.
Which would be a dreadful step.

It is amusing to see the examples used in this discussion.
Countries where such ID checks "work": China (a totalitarian communist dictatorship) and Thailand (an semi-constitutional monarchy currently run by a military junta).
Countries where they don't work or cause significant delay and inconvenience: the USA.
Of course only crazy civil libertarians would be reluctant to emulate China or Thailand.

 

[katiebell]

A few years ago we flew deathstar dom. Photo ID was required for check in (not QF FF cards). My companion had forgotten his wallet. The suggested solution: sign a stat. dec. at the pharmac_!

Many other countries require photo ID for dom. check in. At some airports being photographed (at the time of scanning the BP) is a requirement in order to go airside (eg LHR T5). This was sold as a requirement for having a mixed dom and int terminal. This is far more invasive than showing photo ID at check in.

 

[wandering_fred]

Probably the real issue for conservatively minded people is that laws should NOT be passed that are routinely accepted in their breach. Seems they think it might ensure a lax attitude with respect to laws in general.

So - either it is not an offence to fly a commercial flight with an assumed name or there should be checks somewhere in the process (preferably at the boarding gate) which ensures the name matches a real person.

Fake ID would seem to me to be a far more serious matter and perhaps worthy of occasional police checks of documents at the gate accompanied by the drug enforcement dogs...

I suppose it depends on how seriously you take your wandering

Fred

PS You really believe you are not being photographed on the way into the airport?

 

[katiebell]

At some airports being photographed (at the time of scanning the BP) is a requirement in order to go airside (eg LHR T5). This was sold as a requirement for having a mixed dom and int terminal. This is far more invasive than showing photo ID at check in.

For clarification: the photographing mentioned in my post is not the usual CCTV, it is a photograph that is linked directly with the boarding pass and, therefore all the personal details linked to that booking. A second photograph and match with the original is made at the gate.

 

[Pushka]

But maybe we should mildly inconvenience the other 99.999999% of pax for an ineffective measure that will cost more money and time.

Thats usually the case with laws and the legal system.

 

[ReLoad]

As I posted on the OT thread, QF776 had an ID check last night with the police in the aerobridges after boarding passes being scanned.

They pre announced it in the lounge too.

Wasn't any inconvenience at all to me, but quite a few people took umbridge with it thus delaying the rest of us.

 

[defurax]

As I posted on the OT thread, QF776 had an ID check last night with the police in the aerobridges after boarding passes being scanned.

They pre announced it in the lounge too.

Wasn't any inconvenience at all to me, but quite a few people took umbridge with it thus delaying the rest of us.

Do they only accept photo ID? I often travel domestically without any photo ID.

 

[ReLoad]

Do they only accept photo ID? I often travel domestically without any photo ID.

Yes photo ID only, which was problematic for some people with kids. The officer was very sensible and didn't care about them.

One chap flashed his APEC which the officer had no idea about and said it wasn't acceptable etc, the chap raged a bit and said its fine for customs around the world blah blah, anyway after a pointless robust discussion he handed over his drivers license.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

As I posted on the OT thread, QF776 had an ID check last night with the police in the aerobridges after boarding passes being scanned.

They pre announced it in the lounge too.

Wasn't any inconvenience at all to me, but quite a few people took umbridge with it thus delaying the rest of us.

Did they indicate under what authority they purported to be carrying out the ID check?

 

[defurax]

Yes photo ID only, which was problematic for some people with kids. The officer was very sensible and didn't care about them.

One chap flashed his APEC which the officer had no idea about and said it wasn't acceptable etc, the chap raged a bit and said its fine for customs around the world blah blah, anyway after a pointless robust discussion he handed over his drivers license.

I guess I'll have to start carrying my passport with me for domestic trips...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

China (a totalitarian communist dictatorship)

Thankfully no longer an accurate description of China

 

[ReLoad]

Did they indicate under what authority they purported to be carrying out the ID check?

Nope I was a good sheep and just handed it over. She didn't cross check anything

 

[ReLoad]

I guess I'll have to start carrying my passport with me for domestic trips...

I would have thought there would be plenty of pax without ID so no idea what the protocol is.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Thankfully no longer an accurate description of China

Tell that to those imprisoned for dissent.
Or those in jail under their courts' 99.9% conviction rate.
Or the booksellers kidnapped from Hong Kong.
Or anyone at all in Tibet.

The "freedom" to engage in economic activity isn't all there is to freedom.
Even though the IPA might have us believe otherwise.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The "freedom" to engage in economic activity isn't all there is to freedom.

Freedom to engage in economic activity wasn't even part of my consideration! (but I appreciate we are going OT)