What ID do you have to show in order to fly?

[Bill McBlueState]

Yesterday as I was leaving the secure area of Logan airport, several TSA agents were harassing a woman who in their estimation did not have proper identification.

I've read in a few places that photo ID is not actually required to board a flight, even though the TSA seems to want you to think it is. Does anyone know the real requirements?

[HereSince1628]

1. If you aren't cooperative, maybe whatever the agents want...

TSA Announces Enhancements to Airport ID Requirements to Increase Safety

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/enhance_id_requirements.shtm

June 23, 2008


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. Cooperative passengers without ID may be subjected to additional screening protocols, including enhanced physical screening, enhanced carry-on and/or checked baggage screening, interviews with behavior detection or law enforcement officers and other measures.

Under the law that created TSA, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the TSA administrator is responsible for overseeing aviation security (P.L. 107-71) and has the authority to establish security procedures at airports (49 C.F.R. § 1540.107). Passengers that fail to comply with security procedures may be prohibited from entering the secure area of airports to catch their flight (49 C.F.R. § 1540.105(a)(2).

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. Positively identifying passengers is an important tool in our multi-layered approach to security and one that we have significantly bolstered during the past 18 months

[Bill McBlueState]

4. thanks

I take two points from the excerpt you quote:

1. You don't actually need ID. But you have to have forgotten or lost it. You can't have it but refuse to show it.

2. If you don't have ID, whether you get to board depends entirely on whether a TSA agent thinks you're being cooperative. I probably don't need to explain why this is problematic.

Ok -- As always, it's best to know our rights. Thanks!

[liberal N proud]

2. They always ask for a photo ID when you get to the check point

Someone sitting there comparing the ID to the boarding pass. They will not let you just show it to them, you have to take it out and let them hold it.

[Duke Newcombe]

3. I've never been asked for more...

...than an officially issued picture ID (driver's license or passport or government work id).

Duke

[bananas]

5. It's a secret

you're not allowed to know: http://www.papersplease.org/gilmore/facts.html

[TaranAlvein]

6. Man, somebody needs to rein-in the TSA...

They're just really out-of-control. And completely unreasonable, as well. Quite frankly, if you can pass by claiming to have lost your ID, even despite extra checks against you, any terrorist can get around unhindered so long as they don't actually plan on taking their weapons with them on the flight. It's just madness meant to make us feel secure... As Cenk put it, "This is madness, and it isn't even Sparta!", though this isn't what he was talking about.