Mandatory Photo ID for Domestic Air Travel? [Not mandatory but can be requested]

[Strategic Aviation]

TSA releases redacted ID verification procedures - Papers, Please!

Regarding travellers without ID.

 

[Berlin]

About time really.

Agree. Almost anywhere else in the world this has been the case for ages already- never quite understood why in Australia for all places anyone can just get on a flight traveling under a false name. We’ll be used to it in no time, like most people elsewhere have been for decades.

And whoopee doo- Auntie Nancy can’t anymore come all the way to the gate to stand in everyone’s way waving goodbye to her relatives on a flight to Noosa, what a huge loss for everyone involved. Not.

 

[Himeno]

Agree. Almost anywhere else in the world this has been the case for ages already- never quite understood why in Australia for all places anyone can just get on a flight traveling under a false name. We’ll be used to it in no time, like most people elsewhere have been for decades.

And whoopee doo- Auntie Nancy can’t anymore come all the way to the gate to stand in everyone’s way waving goodbye to her relatives on a flight to Noosa, what a huge loss for everyone involved. Not.

There is NO security reason to check IDs. Period. Doing so is nothing but a pointless waste of time and money.
The ONLY reason to check IDs is airline revenue protection.

 

[opusman]

Sounds like the new regulations simply allow the AFP to demand ID from anyone without a reason (previously they needed to be able to justify it). But ID will not be required to check in.

 

[serfty]

But ID will not be required to check in.

Certainly ID not mandatory to go airside, but can be asked. Also, Aunty Nancy (with ID, if asked) will be still able to go to the domestic gate.

 

[Daver6]

There is NO security reason to check IDs. Period. Doing so is nothing but a pointless waste of time and money.
The ONLY reason to check IDs is airline revenue protection.

Maybe not security of the flight, but makes it much harder for known fugitives to travel interstate.

 

[dajop]

Maybe not security of the flight, but makes it much harder for known fugitives to travel interstate.

Harder ..... or just slower?

It won’t be long before fugitives travelling on planes can be detected through facial recognition anyway such is the Orwellian world we are rapidly descending into.

 

[Flying Fox]

Maybe not security of the flight, but makes it much harder for known fugitives to travel interstate.

Yes, they will have to drive, catch a bus or train instead.

 

[Himeno]

Maybe not security of the flight, but makes it much harder for known fugitives to travel interstate.

How? The people checking the IDs wouldn't know if said person is someone of interest.

 

[Danger]

Sounds like the new regulations simply allow the AFP to demand ID from anyone without a reason (previously they needed to be able to justify it). But ID will not be required to check in.

That's what I understand the change to be so I can't understand why the PM, a minister and a depuuty minister were all at MEL airport yesterday to do a presser.

Maybe not security of the flight, but makes it much harder for known fugitives to travel interstate.

What Himeno said.

How? The people checking the IDs wouldn't know if said person is someone of interest.

I haven't heard anyone say how an ID produced to someone other than law enforcement (who would have access to relevant databases) is going to make travel safer. Sure if Brendan Lees et al was to rock up with his passport at check-in, it would pique interest. But even then, what's to say it's the Brendan Lees? Again, it surely needs to be referenced against something.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And whoopee doo- Auntie Nancy can’t anymore come all the way to the gate to stand in everyone’s way waving goodbye to her relatives on a flight to Noosa, what a huge loss for everyone involved. Not.

If this was indeed the case, how about parents who can no longer escort their children to the gate? We would all have to pay for that by using an airline staff member's time to do the escorting normally done by parents. Or if you are a child, you can't walk your 85 year old parent to the gate and save someone else having to wheel them in a wheelchair - another service which we all ultimately end up paying for through higher fees.

As others have said - ID checking has absolutely no impact on security. We should be spending the money to make sure every item of cargo is screened.

 

[Daver6]

How? The people checking the IDs wouldn't know if said person is someone of interest.

It means the criminal can't book a ticket in their own name. So if the police are looking for Bob Smith, you can be sure they can get the airlines to alert them if a Bob Smith books a ticket. Police can be waiting at the gate for Mr Bob Smith. Not that difficult really.

Secondly, when I'd is checked, it could be scanned and connected to a wanted database. None of this stuff is rocket science.

Not suggesting that it 100% prevents wanted people from travelling but makes it much more difficult/inconvenient for them.

I think a ridiculous fuss is being made out of this. How much time is a check possibly going to add to my trip? Another minute perhaps just before or after I walk through the metal detector.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think a ridiculous fuss is being made out of this.

Because airports should be about the security of flight, not general law enforcement? The money spent checking IDs should go to the screening of baggage, passengers and cargo. If the police want to catch someone they have a dozen other means to do it - tracking mobile phones, computers, cars, you name it.

 

[UP4014]

This opportunity should be taken to remove private security guards at airports and the task it to the AFP. The AFP want more powers, then they need to take responsibility for the whole show. I can imagine when something goes wrong there will be much finger pointing.

 

[Berlin]

It means the criminal can't book a ticket in their own name. So if the police are looking for Bob Smith, you can be sure they can get the airlines to alert them if a Bob Smith books a ticket. Police can be waiting at the gate for Mr Bob Smith. Not that difficult really.
Secondly, when I'd is checked, it could be scanned and connected to a wanted database. None of this stuff is rocket science.
Not suggesting that it 100% prevents wanted people from travelling but makes it much more difficult/inconvenient for them.
I think a ridiculous fuss is being made out of this. How much time is a check possibly going to add to my trip? Another minute perhaps just before or after I walk through the metal detector.

Couldn't agree more. And again, this is how it works almost everywhere else in the world, it's Australia being a (rather odd, I think) exception here.

 

[Daver6]

Because airports should be about the security of flight, not general law enforcement? The money spent checking IDs should go to the screening of baggage, passengers and cargo. If the police want to catch someone they have a dozen other means to do it - tracking mobile phones, computers, cars, you name it.

So should probably get rid of customs and immigration then at international terminals since they're just enforcing the law then? Think of the money that could be saved there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So should probably get rid of customs and immigration then at international terminals since they're just enforcing the law then? Think of the money that could be saved there.

I think that's completely different, right?

 

[dajop]

Couldn't agree more. And again, this is how it works almost everywhere else in the world, it's Australia being a (rather odd, I think) exception here.

New Zealand don’t! I guess we’re all odd.

I was always taught by my parents just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you to do!

It isn’t a big deal, but it is another one of those things that makes Australia (and NZ) appealing, being that little bit more casual/laid back than much of the developed world without it being law of the jungle (putting aside the “nanny state” bits for a moment). One by one start changing things and at one point it will be all lost ....

 

[Himeno]

Couldn't agree more. And again, this is how it works almost everywhere else in the world, it's Australia being a (rather odd, I think) exception here.

So you think that because "everyone" else wants to waste time and money on pointless actions that do nothing for security and only divert attention and resources away from actual security, that we should as well?
So, I assume you're impressed by TSAs 80+% failure rate?

 

[Danger]

Secondly, when I'd is checked, it could be scanned and connected to a wanted database. None of this stuff is rocket science.

Yes, it could be. But there's been no indication that this "database" exists. I have not seen a media report or a ministerial statement stating upon presentation of an ID it will be cross-checked. Until that happens, it's next-to-pointless.

What's more, I would bet that 90% of check-in agents are cross-referencing the ID with the name on the reservation, not the ID with the person presenting it.