Having recently had the experience of going through airport security without having my ID looked at, AND having missed a flight due to poor communication by the airline, I thought of something that could help improve security, and help track down missing flyers.

The first part would be a shared method of coding and scanning bording passes. Each airline would be assigned unique codes for their flights, which would be tied to a unique passenger ID at the time the boarding pass is issued. When the flyer got to security, he would have to present his ID at the gate. The ID would be scanned and the flyer's picture would be taken via digital camera at that time. This picture would be linked to the identifying flight information at the gate and stored in an Internet based system that would be linked to the bar code scanners at each gate. When the flyer goes to check in at the gate, a monitor would display the person's picture and the copy of the ID shown at the gate.

The benefits would be many. One, it would ensure that everyone who flys would have a picture on file prior to their flight. While this wouldn't stop someone bent on committing a terrorist act, it would make people think twice about trying to get past security. It would allow government agencies to monitor that the TSA is actually checking for IDs and comparing them to the person's face. It would also provide the airlines with a method of locating passengers who may have missed the flight by displaying their pictures on monitors when they make announcements requesting someone's presence at the gate. And finally, should something happen to the plane, there will be photographic proof of who was on the plane and possibly make them easier to identify.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

I agree

No opinion

I disagree