Jacob Appelbaum (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} ioerror) wrote,@ 2006-11-25 07:19:00 |
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Attempting domestic flight without id
I'm quite tired, still up after a really nice party. Grey and Alex dropped me at the curb side bag checker at the SFO.
The checker was nice. He asked my name, found my ticket, he took my bags and asked for ID. I gave the delta checker my ID because it is their company policy. They have it written on their website. Admittedly, I didn't buy a delta ticket, I bought an alaska air ticket. That somehow became a delta ticket. Anyway, I was given a boarding pass.
I approached the first checkpoint with my boarding pass and my laptop bag. At the checkpoint, I handed my boarding pass over to be inspected. The security screener demanded my ID. I stated that I wished the fly without ID. After some squabbaling, he brought me to the delta counter. Delta sent an agent to talk to the two of us.
The delta agent seemed confused. I had my boarding pass. Why did delta need to be involved? The security screener explained that I had no ID. The delta agent understood this to be a pure TSA issue.
So back we went to the security line. This time I was told to wait while the agent (still the first screening agent) went to find a TSA agent. The TSA agent asked what the issue was and I explained that I wished to fly without ID, I showed my boarding pass and explained that unless someone could show me a law that requries ID, I'd like to board without ID.
The TSA agent asked the first screener what his policy was for allowing people through checkpoints. He attempted to lead the agent by making statements like "you normally have to have something printed on the boarding pass, something that says they have no ID. Right?"
The agent didn't entirely follow and said that one could not board without ID. The TSA agent said that I could not break this screeners policy, thus I must produce ID. I asked if it was his policy and he stated that until I got through the first screener, I would not be able to even have the TSA conversation.
At this point, a delta employee approached me. He seemed generally concerned but seemed to think that attempts to fly without ID were pointless. Why I was even talking to him, I don't know. He informed me that if I attempted to board the plane or if I attempted to go through security, I would be arrested. I asked what the charge would be and he declined to state it. He had a very interesting perspective, show your documents and all is OK. I simply wanted proof of a rule backed by a law that explained the federal government regulation supposdly requiring me to produce ID for domestic american travel.
I was then redirected to Anna at the delta desk, she eventually described "Delta law." The concept itself is interesting. Essentially, they have a policy that says I must show ID to fly with their airline. Without that, I would be denied a biarding pass. So at this point, I showed her my boarding pass and she seemed confused.
I stated that I wished to fly without ID. She stated that it was not possible and I responded with a request in writing. She returned with a printed copy of something from the delta website stating that they (delta) require ID. When I stated that a company rule did not apply to the TSA, she agreed. She then explained that delta had essentially created a law by requiring ID for boarding and the TSA enforced the airlines rules. She called this "delta law" and said that there was no way to board the plane without ID.
Naturally, I wondered what would happen if someone had lost their wallet - she stated that one would need a police report and even then, it would be tricky. I thanked her and went to the security checkpoint. I used my ID and I didn't even get to experience a secondary screening.
Through all of this experience, I had people look at me as if I was a criminal, as if I was breaking the law, as if I was somehow fighting a system I should just accept. That last one came from a guy who produced a DOD ID.
Delta, the primary ID checker, and TSA at SFO all insist that it is not possible to fly without ID. Secret rules that cannot be produced are unamerican in the most obviouis way, this is a basic right that is being restricted in a blatant manner.
It was a waste of time to attempt this but it proves a point. It is functionally not possible to even get through a security screening area of an airport without my ID. It isn't possible to even try without being singled out in a rude manner.
I'm quite tired, still up after a really nice party. Grey and Alex dropped me at the curb side bag checker at the SFO.
The checker was nice. He asked my name, found my ticket, he took my bags and asked for ID. I gave the delta checker my ID because it is their company policy. They have it written on their website. Admittedly, I didn't buy a delta ticket, I bought an alaska air ticket. That somehow became a delta ticket. Anyway, I was given a boarding pass.
I approached the first checkpoint with my boarding pass and my laptop bag. At the checkpoint, I handed my boarding pass over to be inspected. The security screener demanded my ID. I stated that I wished the fly without ID. After some squabbaling, he brought me to the delta counter. Delta sent an agent to talk to the two of us.
The delta agent seemed confused. I had my boarding pass. Why did delta need to be involved? The security screener explained that I had no ID. The delta agent understood this to be a pure TSA issue.
So back we went to the security line. This time I was told to wait while the agent (still the first screening agent) went to find a TSA agent. The TSA agent asked what the issue was and I explained that I wished to fly without ID, I showed my boarding pass and explained that unless someone could show me a law that requries ID, I'd like to board without ID.
The TSA agent asked the first screener what his policy was for allowing people through checkpoints. He attempted to lead the agent by making statements like "you normally have to have something printed on the boarding pass, something that says they have no ID. Right?"
The agent didn't entirely follow and said that one could not board without ID. The TSA agent said that I could not break this screeners policy, thus I must produce ID. I asked if it was his policy and he stated that until I got through the first screener, I would not be able to even have the TSA conversation.
At this point, a delta employee approached me. He seemed generally concerned but seemed to think that attempts to fly without ID were pointless. Why I was even talking to him, I don't know. He informed me that if I attempted to board the plane or if I attempted to go through security, I would be arrested. I asked what the charge would be and he declined to state it. He had a very interesting perspective, show your documents and all is OK. I simply wanted proof of a rule backed by a law that explained the federal government regulation supposdly requiring me to produce ID for domestic american travel.
I was then redirected to Anna at the delta desk, she eventually described "Delta law." The concept itself is interesting. Essentially, they have a policy that says I must show ID to fly with their airline. Without that, I would be denied a biarding pass. So at this point, I showed her my boarding pass and she seemed confused.
I stated that I wished to fly without ID. She stated that it was not possible and I responded with a request in writing. She returned with a printed copy of something from the delta website stating that they (delta) require ID. When I stated that a company rule did not apply to the TSA, she agreed. She then explained that delta had essentially created a law by requiring ID for boarding and the TSA enforced the airlines rules. She called this "delta law" and said that there was no way to board the plane without ID.
Naturally, I wondered what would happen if someone had lost their wallet - she stated that one would need a police report and even then, it would be tricky. I thanked her and went to the security checkpoint. I used my ID and I didn't even get to experience a secondary screening.
Through all of this experience, I had people look at me as if I was a criminal, as if I was breaking the law, as if I was somehow fighting a system I should just accept. That last one came from a guy who produced a DOD ID.
Delta, the primary ID checker, and TSA at SFO all insist that it is not possible to fly without ID. Secret rules that cannot be produced are unamerican in the most obviouis way, this is a basic right that is being restricted in a blatant manner.
It was a waste of time to attempt this but it proves a point. It is functionally not possible to even get through a security screening area of an airport without my ID. It isn't possible to even try without being singled out in a rude manner.
