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Comment by njarboe | Hacker News Reader

You don't have to show ID to get past security at the airport. Lose your wallet on vacation and you can still fly home. Tell them you don't have ID and you'll get a special security check. How that will work in practice at different airports and for different people with different TSA agents is hard to say. Could be a answering a few questions, a pat down, and a quick chemical test or something else much more involved.

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Not completely true. You do have to confirm your identify to the satisfaction of the security officer. So while you technically can fly without an ID, you still have to prove your identity. The ID card is just an expedited way to do that.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

“ In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You will be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property. You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you choose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process.”

This has not been my experience, at least not flying domestically in the US. In order to get to the gate, I have to get past TSA and the security checkpoint, which involves presenting my boarding pass and ID to an agent.

If I've not checked-in electronically and have to get a printed boarding pass, I've had to present ID and credit card at a kiosk or ticket desk as well.

They ask for it but you don't HAVE to present it. If you don't most airlines will ask you identity verification questions, similar to those you're asked when retrieving your credit report. If everything matches up your ticket will get marked with SSSS[1] and you'll be sent through that additional security.

1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_Security_Screening_S...

This isn't true. I couldn't fly back to the US from Dominican without ID. I had to go to consulate.

That’s a totally different scenario - international travel requires a valid travel document.

For domestic flights you don’t technically need an id but be prepared to wait a long time and/or be subjected to a invasive questioning/security search.

Pro tip: make photocopies of your documents and stuff them in your luggage in case your wallet gets pinched. Happened to my dad and it solved that issue quickly.

Good idea to do this with your passport, also, when visiting abroad.

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