Well despite the well publicised and highly debatable restrictions on liquids on International flights, it appears Qantas and Virgin have decided that company profits are more important the the security theatre shoved in your face everywhere else.
It is now possible for anyone to board a plane in Australia without showing ID. Known terrorists sign up here, if you are finding it difficult to travel elsewhere, we’ll happily let you on board.
You see the new Qantas electronic check in terminals allow you to type in your name and destination, presto, instant boarding pass. No ID at the desk required. No ID at Security required. No ID at the gate required. No ID on the plane required. Now I can book a ticket as anyone over the phone through a travel agency, and pay via direct deposit, so still no proof me is me.
Now I won’t wade into the pro’s / con’s of the ID debate here, Bruce is covering that just fine. What I do want to say is this.
It’s interesting that the airlines have spotted a chance to save money and jumped on it, despite all the other guff going on. I guess the difference is the other security stuff comes out of the customers pocket in airport fees, as opposed to airline profits.
I remember it used to be common to buy airline tickets from others based on gender, as it was a little obvious if Paul traveled on Paulette’s ticket. The airlines tried to stop this for years by saying a ticket was not for a seat, but “a contracted agreement between two parties”. They finally came up with the “for security reasons” excuse and forced everyone to produce ID and shut down this exercise. Now I guess the money saved on check in staff exceeds the money lost on people re-selling tickets.
Money still rules hey boys…….Â