The Absent-Minded Terrorist

The Transportation Security Administration has changed its policy on flying without identification.  It's no longer allowed.  According to TSA:

This change will apply exclusively to individuals that simply refuse to provide any identification or assist transportation security officers in ascertaining their identity.

In other words, the policy is directed not at possible terrorists, but at rabble rousers like Jim Harper, who insist that the long-held right of anonymous movement ought to be preserved.  However…

This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers. Cooperative passengers without ID may be subjected to additional screening protocols, including enhanced physical screening, enhanced carry-on and/or checked baggage screening, interviews with behavior detection or law enforcement officers and other measures.

It's hard to see how this is going to make flying any safer.  Does TSA really believe that a terrorist is going to be the one loudly proclaiming his right to anonymous travel?

Brian Doherty wrote about millionaire John Gilmore's quest for anonymous travel in 2003.