Analysis from a JHU CS Prof

Wed Sep 12 18:43:06 UTC 2001

> 
> 
> On Wed, 12 Sep 2001, David Howe wrote:
> 
> > 
> > > There are mechanisms in place that would detect this type of
> > > behavior.  (Prebooking multiple flights for the same individual.)
> > Does a domestic flight require a passport or other form of positive ID?
> > if not, they could book as many tickets as needed with a different name per
> > ticket.
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> Yes.  Photo identification to get your tickets, period, the end.

Not necessarily. I've boarded planes several times without showing a piece
of ID. With the new automated check-in kiosks in several airports, if you
have no luggage to check-in, you don't see a person at all.. (You still do
need a credit card in your name though) Both times I left Houston-Bush
International, I had my tickets printed and checked in by only telling the
attendant my name. (I thought it was very strange, but didn't question it)

Many really small regional airports allow you to board without going through
metal detectors/bag x-rays. Once you get off the plane at the
destination(larger airport) you're behind the "secure" zone, and can also
board another flight without going through one.

I'm not saying that these kinds of things are what caused yesterday's
events, or that whoever did this didn't use fake ID's, so I'm not sure that
strictly enforcing this sort of thing would have mattered anyway.

-- Kevin