More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

[DJ Jackalope]

On the way home from Norway, my luggage got thrown on another plane and Deviant and I got delayed at the Newark airport... and got bored.

Since I missed my return flight to Colorado, we had to buy another plane ticket.

For fun, we decided to see what would happen if I tried to buy the ticket with no ID. I had a $100 bill and a Visa card that said "See ID" on the back of it. (Deviant had heard that you couldn't buy a ticket with all cash on the day of the flight, but after the clerk asking if I was paying in cash or credit, that's gotta be a myth.) She couldn't split the payment, so it all ended up on my credit card.

I went through my bag looking all freaked out, and told the clerk that I couldn't find my ID. I put on this act for a couple min and asked if there was anything else I could show to buy the ticket and get on the airplane. She went and got someone - I was hoping it was a TSA guy, but it ended up being her supervisor. He asked if I had a social security card or a car registration or something that was government issued. I said no, but it was super interesting hearing the list of non-picture ID things.

I suddenly found my ID and got the ticket and went on my way.

Now with this - I am wondering if I could have actually got on the plane with any of these things. The guy was a Continental supervisor, so he was possibly trying to give me something to buy the ticket with, not to get on the plane through TSA with.

Didn't the 911 pilots fly out of Newark?

[xor]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

On the way home from Norway, my luggage got thrown on another plane and Deviant and I got delayed at the Newark airport... and got bored.

Since I missed my return flight to Colorado, we had to buy another plane ticket.

For fun, we decided to see what would happen if I tried to buy the ticket with no ID. I had a $100 bill and a Visa card that said "See ID" on the back of it. (Deviant had heard that you couldn't buy a ticket with all cash on the day of the flight, but after the clerk asking if I was paying in cash or credit, that's gotta be a myth.) She couldn't split the payment, so it all ended up on my credit card.

I went through my bag looking all freaked out, and told the clerk that I couldn't find my ID. I put on this act for a couple min and asked if there was anything else I could show to buy the ticket and get on the airplane. She went and got someone - I was hoping it was a TSA guy, but it ended up being her supervisor. He asked if I had a social security card or a car registration or something that was government issued. I said no, but it was super interesting hearing the list of non-picture ID things.

I suddenly found my ID and got the ticket and went on my way.

Now with this - I am wondering if I could have actually got on the plane with any of these things. The guy was a Continental supervisor, so he was possibly trying to give me something to buy the ticket with, not to get on the plane through TSA with.

Didn't the 911 pilots fly out of Newark?

A fine example of MCI vs Security in hard times. MCI seems to win more especially during these times. Then again if you tried it wearing a Burka they might not have been so .... helpful. Though while I'm philosophically and morally opposed to profiling I'm also a realist.

xor

[streaker69]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

I find it funny the number of places that will take an SSID card or even an Electric bill as proof of ID, but will not take my CCW with photo on it as ID, even though the CCW is issued by the Sheriff's department.

I once tried to use it as the second form of ID when I was going through the HR drone stuff for a job, and they refused to take it and wanted and SSID even though it's well known that the SSID is not to be used as ID.

[xor]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

I find it funny the number of places that will take an SSID card or even an Electric bill as proof of ID, but will not take my CCW with photo on it as ID, even though the CCW is issued by the Sheriff's department.

I once tried to use it as the second form of ID when I was going through the HR drone stuff for a job, and they refused to take it and wanted and SSID even though it's well known that the SSID is not to be used as ID.

Yeah, I don't get that either. Good enough to carry a firearm but not good enough to cash a check. It's a government issued id, by law enforcement no less. But it does put a lot of people off when you show it to them. I get the OMG!!!!!!! he's got a gun look, is this a hold up, or is he just trying to make a deposit.

xor

[mfreeck]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Yeah, I don't get that either. Good enough to carry a firearm but not good enough to cash a check. It's a government issued id,[...]
xor

I was similarly frustrated when I had no driver's license/state ID card. I had just my passport. Good enough for the world's governments, but not good enough to pass a check at Food 4 Less. I got alot of "but the computer doesn't provide the format for that ID...." Stoopid.

[Gadsden]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Read the TSA website:

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.

Just because you bought a ticket does not mean they have to let you on the plane.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Just because you bought a ticket does not mean they have to let you on the plane.

Yeah, but Jackalope, umm, lost her ID. The quoted policy is, in short, "if you argue with our policies at the checkpoint, then we won't let you on the plane". In some ways, I can agree: arguing with a TSA flunky at the checkpoint isn't likely to change anyone's policy. I'm for civil disobedience, but you have to accept the consequences.

On a somewhat related note, has anyone had a chance to check out Schneier On Security yet?

[valkyrie]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Yeah, but Jackalope, umm, lost her ID. The quoted policy is, in short, "if you argue with our policies at the checkpoint, then we won't let you on the plane". In some ways, I can agree: arguing with a TSA flunky at the checkpoint isn't likely to change anyone's policy. I'm for civil disobedience, but you have to accept the consequences.

On a somewhat related note, has anyone had a chance to check out Schneier On Security yet?

My experience is to keep cool. I have pulled several experiments such as Jackalopes; the results have been interesting.

I have used the following to get through security: an expired driver's license.(apparently only good for a year from the expiration date, thus quoth a TSA agent): an expired passport (ditto); a social security card. An expired CAC card. An electric bill. All save two of these items have a photograph that slightly resembles my person. Your mileage may vary.

I do find curious the broad interpretation of "the rules." It may be that the TSA finds itself dealing with a more educated public.

I politely refuse to go through their stupid machines, requesting a physical inspection if I am required to submit to "extra vigilance." Yes, I have had intimidation tactics used on me. I just refuse to let them upset me.

Voltage Spike: yes, I have read the book. Quite interesting on several levels. I don't normally suggest books, however, this is a good read.

regards

valkyrie
______________________________
sapere aude

[noid]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Yeah, I don't get that either. Good enough to carry a firearm but not good enough to cash a check. It's a government issued id, by law enforcement no less. But it does put a lot of people off when you show it to them. I get the OMG!!!!!!! he's got a gun look, is this a hold up, or is he just trying to make a deposit.

xor

And unlike your drivers license or state ID card, you had to pass a background check to get your CPL/CCW. If anything it should be more valid than any other ID on your person.

I have used my CPL as ID before, but I think I was exploiting apathy more than anything. Used my credit card to buy something, gal asked for ID, I realized I had left it in the rental car, so I busted out my Oregon CPL. She glanced at it and was mollified. In that case I think a library card would have also done the trick, or maybe my Radio Shack Battery Club card

[streaker69]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

And unlike your drivers license or state ID card, you had to pass a background check to get your CPL/CCW. If anything it should be more valid than any other ID on your person.

I have used my CPL as ID before, but I think I was exploiting apathy more than anything. Used my credit card to buy something, gal asked for ID, I realized I had left it in the rental car, so I busted out my Oregon CPL. She glanced at it and was mollified. In that case I think a library card would have also done the trick, or maybe my Radio Shack Battery Club card

I agree with this. To get the CCW here, you have to give three personal references, and I know that the sheriff here calls every single one, I used three local Chief's of Police for mine, and they all asked me later what kind of firearm I'd be carrying out of curiousity.

BTW, Radio Shack stopped the Battery Club card about 10 years ago, but I'm sure that they still have old fogies (not like Thorn though), coming in with a tattered card asking for their free battery.

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

Just because you bought a ticket does not mean they have to let you on the plane.

Nope, they sure don't! That's kind of why I was hoping for a TSA guy and not just a Continental agent since Continental does not equal TSA. It just equals doing a sale for Continental, not actually stepping on board.

[xor]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

And unlike your drivers license or state ID card, you had to pass a background check to get your CPL/CCW. If anything it should be more valid than any other ID on your person.

I have used my CPL as ID before, but I think I was exploiting apathy more than anything. Used my credit card to buy something, gal asked for ID, I realized I had left it in the rental car, so I busted out my Oregon CPL. She glanced at it and was mollified. In that case I think a library card would have also done the trick, or maybe my Radio Shack Battery Club card

Actually you know what a carry permit is in reality. It's an I haven't been convicted of any felonies card. see smiling face on card.

xor

[Z^2]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

I've flown on a police report card that looks like a business card before, with no picture ID (police report was because all my ID got stolen...long story).

Funny thing is you couldn't even read the police agent's name, and since it was in a location where you have to even ask for a police report card if they even show up to investigate (yes this was in the US), I doubt that the police department would even investigate a gate agent calling about the validity of the report, let alone the airline employees not even looking remotely like they want to be calling the police about it at all.

[barry99705]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

I agree with this. To get the CCW here, you have to give three personal references, and I know that the sheriff here calls every single one, I used three local Chief's of Police for mine, and they all asked me later what kind of firearm I'd be carrying out of curiousity.

BTW, Radio Shack stopped the Battery Club card about 10 years ago, but I'm sure that they still have old fogies (not like Thorn though), coming in with a tattered card asking for their free battery.

So how's that gold plated .50 desert eagle working out for you?

[SarperDomain]

Re: More TSA Fun...don't have a picture ID? You can show these instead...

I, also, tested this and found that they would let me not only buy, but get through TSA checkpoints with; get this; my SAMS Club membership card. I guess old Sam Walton must have been a suit after all. lol