LaGuardia TSA lets passenger through without checking ID

by Grant Martin on

My girlfriend hasn’t had a valid ID for a few months now. The story has something to do with alcohol, a Jimmy Eat World concert and a giant squid (I think), but it’s something I can tell later.

In the time before she procures new identification from the great New York department of motor vehicles, she’s been using various forms of expired ID to get into bars and onto planes across the country. It’s kind of a dodgy way to go about business, but living in the financial world without a car, other things have priority.

At first she had trouble getting through security at the airport. Technically you can get past TSA without picture ID, mind you, it’s just that you have to be subjected to secondary screening at the checkpoint and bring a couple other forms of ID. Once you get used to it though, it’s really no big deal — and she’s adapted pretty well.

Passing through security at LaGuardia yesterday, she was prepared for the same questions. Instead however, in blatant disregard for protocol she just got waved through by the security officer. Nobody asked for ID. Anywhere.

Anyone else slip through security today?

Great job guys.

Minor relief for those flying out of New York

by Jerry Guo on

Did I mention the relief will be minor? After months–hell, years–of resistance to a bill of rights for airline passengers, there’s been one small step in the right direction. Now if you’re flying out of JFK or LaGuardia, you have the right to “fresh air, lights, functioning restrooms and adequate food and drinking water” on the tarmac if your flight is delayed more than three hours.

The whole movement got a kick in the pants last Valentine’s Day, when a ice storm caused some passengers to be literally trapped on planes for up to 10 hours, with none of the above mentioned “amenities.”

Unfortunately for customers, the bill of rights trend isn’t sweeping the nation. Though airline employees can be dullards, airlines have made sure their lobbyists in Washington are the best and brightest. And the penalties can barely be called steep. $1,000 a pop–if the violation can be confirmed (read: lots of paperwork).

I’m waiting to see what kind of impact this will have on the two New York airports, which are infamously headaches to go through. Next summer is also gearing up to be one of the busiest seasons on record. So good luck everybody We’ll need it.