[anjel]

Because boarding a flight was already miserable enough

[IshKebab]

This doesn't really make a difference. You just show ID & boarding pass instead of just a boarding pass. You already have your ID on you. It's literally just a case of taking an extra thing out of your pocket.

This is how it works in Europe and it never even crossed my mind that it could be annoying.

[miracle2k]

> This is how it works in Europe and it never even crossed my mind that it could be annoying.

I've taken many flights in Europe without id check, see also: https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/180781/what-deter...

It's not really a big deal if someone sneaks on board, therefore, no reason to burden millions of flyers every day with additional checks. Also, you may well not have ID on you. Maybe you don't like to carry it. Maybe you forgot your wallet. Maybe you don't even have one. Who cares?

[prmoustache]

Most companies tell you the name of the tickets you purchase must absolutely match the name on your ID, so no you can't just not carry it if you are flying.

So it really depends on airlines AND departure/destination laws. Like if you are flying in or out of Spain, I am 100% positive you need your ID.

[kwhitefoot]

Not on internal flights in Norway. Not at Trondheim at least. There the whole process is automated and handled by the customer. It goes like this:

- drop bag on the belt

- present the credit card used to buy the ticket

- attach the baggage tag that gets printed

- record your thumbprint

- go through security

- walk to the gate and use your thumbprint to enter the gate area

- The gate staff just count people on to the flight.

[mr_mitm]

I fly out of Stuttgart, Germany, with Eurowings a lot and if it wasn't for the payment process, I could fly completely anonymous, i.e. even under a fake name. Not possible to pay in cash AFAIK, and having a credit card or a checking account under a fake name is much more difficult.

If I even have a bag to check, I present the boarding pass to the machine. After that, there is no thumbprint check, no ID check, no photographs, nothing. Even internationally (within Schengen).

[kwhitefoot]

The thumbprint is optional at Trondheim I think. You can use your credit card instead. It's just a convenience for the traveller. There are no boarding passes.

[troupo]

It's annoying because sometimes they don't check your ID :)

It's also a bit annoying because you don't really add an actual document you really want to keep safe into the mix (and the rush)

[lostlogin]

Here in NZ you don’t need ID. There is zero checking for domestic. Wonder how long until someone ruins that.

[ghaff]

Often you only have one acceptable ID on you and if you lose that because you're fumbling around with things at 6am in the morning, you can be screwed.

After somehow losing my driver's license one morning between the curb and the airport door--no idea how to this day--I always use my Global Entry card when I can to present ID because it's essentially a spare ID.

So, yeah, I prefer not to present ID any more than I have to.