more on Web Site Lets Anyone Create Fake Boarding Passes

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jennifer Knight <jargonslinger () tampabay rr com>
Date: November 1, 2006 9:58:14 AM EST
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on Web Site Lets Anyone Create Fake Boarding  
Passes

> From: john kemp <john.kemp () mac com>

>   - Check that your ID matches your boarding pass, and that your ID
> photo looks like you.

Actually, I've flown many times, crossing TSA security checkpoints  
for both international and domestic flights, and the fact is that my  
passport is in a different name than my boarding pass (I've married  
since the issue and the name change is stamped on the very back page  
of the passport). I hadn't even noticed this until I was discussing  
some of the issues commonly addressed on IP with my husband, we like  
to think about actual vs practical, or perceived vs effective  
security systems. So, it is absolutely not the case that my ID  
matches my boarding pass, so far as the quick glance of the TSA agent  
(without flipping to the back page) is concerned.

But I suspect this is no real or direct reduction in practical  
security. As many have stated, if we assume the security screen is  
effective, it matters little wrt security who actually passes  
through. I've always suspected that the reason the regulations limit  
such passage to people with boarding passes is a direct economic  
response to the increased security regulations. If it costs to allow  
people to pass, it makes sense to somehow limit passage, and in this  
case I have to admit, limiting passage based on a need to go basis is  
not unwise.

However, I am not privy to the "classified" knowledge that makes  
these increased regulations make sense, so my above argument does  
little to soothe my nerves. Also, I agree that making these fake  
passes easily available is as intellectually inspired and socially  
productive as quickly spraying ones sign on a piece of architecture;  
it is shock value  schadenfreude.

-jen.knight


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