Kiosk Check-in GIANT SECURITY HOLE

[Amerrican]

I've used the kiosk check-in system in both Cairns and Brisbane recently.

Worked great, selected good seat, printed boarding pass.

Fully expected that someone at the gate would ask to see some picture ID to verify that I'm me.

NOPE.

No one ever checks the passenger to see if they're the same as who was ticketed!

You can fly on your brother's ticket, no problem!

And even Osama could check-in and board, no worries!

Talked to various security officials at the Cairns airport, as well as Canberra. Their answer?

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CHECK IDENTITY OF THE PASSENGERS, ONLY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS!

Does this seem scary to anyone?

 

[bnesyd]

I agree. It looks like you would know what the USA do. For as long as I can remember (1998) they have checked photo ID over there on Domestic. I have thought for a long time that just using your Qantas frequent flyer card to book and board a flight is a huge security hole. Seems like the law is a long way behind the times in OZ. A QF card is easy to get hold of too as the previous owner of our house died and I was mailed their card. (I returned it btw) and if my walet was stolen the last thing I would think of is to ring Qantas and let them know.

 

[ColinP]

I'm sorry, I don't see the problem. I can travel from (for instance) Adelaide to Sydney by car, truck, train, bus or bullock dray without showing any ID. Why is flying different? If I'm sitting next to Osama Bin Laden on a plane I can be fairly sure he has gone through security and is devoid of nail clippers, knitting needles and other such terrorist paraphenalia.
Surely the ID thing is just airline ticketing policy (no name changes) and has nothing to do with security.

 

[Dave Noble]

I don't see an issue; regardless of whether there is an id check, there is still a requirement to go through security screening. Australia <> USA and does not have the paranoia of the USA

Travelling on BA in the UK is just the same; travelling LCY-EDi recently, I used OLCI and PYOBP so went straight through security ( no id other than the self printed BP needed ) ; no id checks at the gate since it is a domestic service

Dave

 

[Damien]

I'm sorry, I don't see the problem. I can travel from (for instance) Adelaide to Sydney by car, truck, train, bus or bullock dray without showing any ID. Why is flying different? If I'm sitting next to Osama Bin Laden on a plane I can be fairly sure he has gone through security and is devoid of nail clippers, knitting needles and other such terrorist paraphenalia.
Surely the ID thing is just airline ticketing policy (no name changes) and has nothing to do with security.

I tend to agree. The LOTFAP method of showing your ID at least four times between check-in and boarding is simply rediculous, especially since you can't go past the check-in desk without a valid boarding pass.

Then there's the SSSS....

 

[serfty]

.... Then there's the SSSS....

Try SSSS,SSSS,SSSS ... I'm batting 1000 on this trip. At least my carryon has been nicely dusted between flights!

 

[ColinP]

*moderated*

*Sigh* I'm new to this forum, just like you OP and don't want to be drawn into a politico/racist slanging match. I've lurked here long enough to know that calling people daft and casting racist slurs is not acceptable. I abhor terrorism as much as anyone and I'm certainly not daft--Nor am I paranoid!

To answer your original question
" Does this seem scary to anyone?"

No! Not to me. --Aussies generally don't scare very easily. Certainly not as easily as LOTFAPians apparently.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Try SSSS,SSSS,SSSS ... I'm batting 1000 on this trip. At least my carryon has been nicely dusted between flights!

Mmm maybe they don't like OW RTWs? My last 2 RTWs on *A had no SSSS and same for other trips to US this year. Hope I dont get SSSS treatment on my next RTW (OW this time).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Answering the OPs question - there are plenty of other countries the same applies on domestic flights - no need for photo id check although if it is a jet flight there is at least security checkpoint (none for prop flights).

The need to check passports at the gate for international flights reflects the airline being fined if they allow pax to arrive at another country when they dont have the proper documents.

 

[oz_mark]

Answering the OPs question - there are plenty of other countries the same applies on domestic flights - no need for photo id check although if it is a jet flight there is at least security checkpoint (none for prop flights).

While I don't particularly have an issue with not showing an ID on domestic flights, every time I book or get a ticket it always says photo-id required at check-in. Maybe the wording needs to be fixed.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

While I don't particularly have an issue with not showing an ID on domestic flights, every time I book or get a ticket it always says photo-id required at check-in. Maybe the wording needs to be fixed.

Generally the quick check machines require FFP card or credit card (or the paper ticket in some cases) which is taken as acceptable proof of identity by the airlines.

Even at counter checkin I cant recall the last domestic flight (NZ or Oz) that I've needed to show photo ID - FF card has always been acceptable or even just saying my name if I've forgotten the card. I would guess it has been at least 2 years since I last had to show photo id for domestic flight (domestic leg of international flights excepted).

 

[Dave Noble]

I cannot recall ever being asked for photo id when travelling domestically on QF on flight numbers > 399

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

I booked a ticket yesterday, and in the nice three page PDF I got was the following text:

[FONT=Arial,Bold]

[FONT=Arial,Bold]

Important Information:



[/FONT]

Photo Identification is required for check-in. For international journeys, your passport and travel documents are required. On Australian domestic journeys, including those departing from an international terminal, a valid Australian photo driver’s license or a current passport is required. If you cannot meet these requirements, please enquire about possible alternatives. Flights operated by other airlines may have different requirements. Contact the operating carrier for further details. You can check and update your booking online at qantas.com/viewbooking​

So, while I have not been asked for some time (I have been in the past), it is still listed as a check-in requirement.


[/FONT]

 

[JohnK]

So, while I have not been asked for some time (I have been in the past), it is still listed as a check-in requirement.

I have been asked a few times for identification at the check-in counter although not recently. I don't see it as a problem though. So what, you get your driver's license out of your wallet.

 

[dajop]

Personally I wouldn't call it a "giant security hole" and no, I'm not scared by no need to present photo ID. Quite frankly, if someone is sophisticated enough to be a serious security threat on a commercial flight, it wouldn't be too very difficult for them to create a fake drivers licence to present at check-in and/or prior to boarding.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I have been asked a few times for identification at the check-in counter although not recently. I don't see it as a problem though. So what, you get your driver's license out of your wallet.

Not if your drivers licence isnt australian issued. They wont accept other countries' official photo ids other than passport

 

[coco50]

I'm sorry, I don't see the problem. I can travel from (for instance) Adelaide to Sydney by car, truck, train, bus or bullock dray without showing any ID. Why is flying different? If I'm sitting next to Osama Bin Laden on a plane I can be fairly sure he has gone through security and is devoid of nail clippers, knitting needles and other such terrorist paraphenalia.
Surely the ID thing is just airline ticketing policy (no name changes) and has nothing to do with security.

Not much security at some regional airports. At present at Albury or Orange, you could board with an coughnal in your carry on baggage and not be detected. At least at those ports if you are travelling on an e-ticket, you will usually be asked for photo ID - not that that means much.

 

[aspro2]

You can fly on your brother's ticket, no problem!

And even Osama could check-in and board, no worries!

So what? As long as your brother and Osama aren't toting weapons, I don't care if they're flying with me (except if they have smelly feet, BO, or talk incessantly).

And Amerrican, how about CUTTING BACK ON THE YELLING. Have a nice day.

 

[JohnK]

Not if your drivers licence isnt australian issued. They wont accept other countries' official photo ids other than passport

Sorry I forgot about visitors from far off lands travelling domestically in Australia.

Anyway anytime I am overseas I carry my passport in my pocket all the time so it is handy at all times.

 

[Mal]

Yeah, to be honest I can't be bothered to care if the pax next to me is actually "Mr Jones" or not.

Australia has good scanning of pax and luggage (except for some airports with small planes arriving and leaving). Even then it doesn't really worry me.

I have a bigger risk of being attacked by a shark / run over by a car / winning lotto over being on a plane with a terrorist.