I always wondered...

cowman

cowman

Final Approach
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What would happen if I was going on an airline and when the TSA agent asked for ID I "accidentally" handed them my private pilots license?

I completely realize it shouldn't prompt anything but a request for a valid photo ID. But nobody ever said the TSA was smart and I doubt the average TSA agent would know the difference between the certification difference between private and commercial airline pilots...

Perhaps get to skip a line? Get sent somewhere I am not supposed to go? Cavity search? Curious but don't want a cavity search..
 
I don't think airline pilots flash their FAA Certs. They have airline issued IDs for ramp access privileges.
 
It's not a picture ID, unless you are Orville or Wilbur...
 
I can remember post 9-11 I somehow lost or forgot my driver's license at the airport. Had a gym membership with a printed photo...agent said OK, as long as you have two other items like a credit card with your name on it.

Easy...well, the first card I pull out and plunk down without looking at it was one of my employee's credit cards with another name on it....oops!

Still made it through without a colonoscopy.
 
I have a library of Congress photo ID I flash to lesser authorities sometimes, but would never try that with TSA.
 
I made it through the TSA with nothing more than a Sams Club card awhile back.
 
They'd tell you to give them a photo ID. And roll their eyes because you are wasting their time not having it out and ready to go already. You would get absolutely no special treatment. Aircrews at airports have other special credentials with photos that they show to get access to other parts of the airport and they have to go through security too. Not sure if FFDOs have to or not.
 
I have a KAUS GA ramp gate card that is TSA issued and has my picture. I aways wear it flying, I'd rather show the authorities that card rather than my driver's license.
 
cowman said:
What would happen if I was going on an airline and when the TSA agent asked for ID I "accidentally" handed them my private pilots license?

I completely realize it shouldn't prompt anything but a request for a valid photo ID. But nobody ever said the TSA was smart and I doubt the average TSA agent would know the difference between the certification difference between private and commercial airline pilots...

Perhaps get to skip a line? Get sent somewhere I am not supposed to go? Cavity search? Curious but don't want a cavity search..
Click to expand...
It would do absolutely nothing. Airline pilots have crew badges that issued by the airline. They sometimes get annoyed. I've seen it before. But then again it's tsa so when are they not
 
A private pilot's license permits you to fly an airplane. That's it.

It doesn't even allow me to ride a bike on an air force field outside movement areas because I might not know the airport markings (I wish I was kidding, but I'm not).
 
The only way I got to skip the security line was my SIDA badge with access to the ramps, aircraft, security, terminal, baggage claim, CBP, etc.

Besides the crew members and pre-check passengers, no one else gets special treatment.
 
You need a government issued picture . Be it a drivers license,or pass port. Not sure if an airport pass would make the grade.
 
The captain may come find you during boarding because the FO isn't feeling well and needs you to work the radios.
 
I showed the TSA agent my ramp pass issued by-you guessed it-the TSA and the gate checker said he needed to see my drivers license and the ramp pass was not a proper form of ID. I did not think it wise to engage in an intellectual conversation with this guy.
 
Cpt_Kirk said:
The only way I got to skip the security line was my SIDA badge with access to the ramps, aircraft, security, terminal, baggage claim, CBP, etc.
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I'm not saying you're doing this, but nobody should be using their SIDA to avoid security if they're planning on being a passenger. That's a big no-no.
 
I don't think it will work.

I think at a bar if you "accidentally" pay with it you can get laid.

"Whoops, That's not my credit card. That my Pilot's license. Silly me.
Man this is so embarrassing. Hey Dave! [shouting to a friend across the bar], you are not going to believe how dumb I am. I was just going to pay my tab and I accidentally tried to pay with my Pilot's license. I was reaching for my credit card but gave my Pilot's license instead. You know because I'm a pilot. [back to the bar tender] sorry, that never happens I feel so silly"
 
I normally use my CPL* for ID, but I don't think I'd do that with TSA unless I had plenty of time to spare and wanted to answer a lot of questions. :nonod:

*Concealed Pistol License.
 
frfly172 said:
You need a government issued picture. Be it a drivers license,or pass port. Not sure if an airport pass would make the grade.
Click to expand...

I tried to use my Aircraft Operating Area badge one time, the one that allows me onto the ramp where the big airplanes park and other restricted areas on the airport. It has my picture, my name, the name of the airline I worked for and big letters: AOA. I was told I needed a state issued ID. I pointed out that the first line on top of the badge said "State of Alaska" and asked is that not proof of a state issued ID. The last line on the back that says, "Property of the State of Alaska" was not enough proof either.

Oh well, I guess if no one is allowed on the plane then the flight will be safe, as long as a terrorist isn't disguised as a pilot. (oops)
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
I don't think it will work.

I think at a bar if you "accidentally" pay with it you can get laid.

"Whoops, That's not my credit card. That my Pilot's license. Silly me.
Man this is so embarrassing. Hey Dave! [shouting to a friend across the bar], you are not going to believe how dumb I am. I was just going to pay my tab and I accidentally tried to pay with my Pilot's license. I was reaching for my credit card but gave my Pilot's license instead. You know because I'm a pilot. [back to the bar tender] sorry, that never happens I feel so silly"
Click to expand...

It doesn't work.
 
My wife was able to use her Smithsonian ID badge when she misplaced her driver's license once.

My picture is on my pilot's license on the back side left, I don't know who the bald guy on the right is.
 
kayoh190 said:
I'm not saying you're doing this, but nobody should be using their SIDA to avoid security if they're planning on being a passenger. That's a big no-no.
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You don't bypass, you go through security just in the crew lane. Its privileges for being an employee. No lines still the"safety" of the security check
 
Catalo said:
You don't bypass, you go through security just in the crew lane. Its privileges for being an employee. No lines still the"safety" of the security check
Click to expand...

I meant using the badge to avoid security altogether, via a bypass door. We've had pilots get into some serious crap for using the door to meet a flight they weren't working. TSA no likee!
 
kayoh190 said:
I meant using the badge to avoid security altogether, via a bypass door. We've had pilots get into some serious crap for using the door to meet a flight they weren't working. TSA no likee!
Click to expand...
Yeah that will get you fired at least where I worked
 
Zeldman said:
I tried to use my Aircraft Operating Area badge one time, the one that allows me onto the ramp where the big airplanes park and other restricted areas on the airport. It has my picture, my name, the name of the airline I worked for and big letters: AOA. I was told I needed a state issued ID. I pointed out that the first line on top of the badge said "State of Alaska" and asked is that not proof of a state issued ID. The last line on the back that says, "Property of the State of Alaska" was not enough proof either.

Oh well, I guess if no one is allowed on the plane then the flight will be safe, as long as a terrorist isn't disguised as a pilot. (oops)
Click to expand...
That's weird. My dad uses his Delta employee ID all the time when he goes through security and they let him through.
 
I once used my military contractor's ID to get through security when I forgot my license. Of course, I still needed my license to rent a car on the other end, so my wife had to save my bacon and run to the airport and have the airline hand off my DL to me past security. Fortunately that was at Long Beach, CA, probably would have been a bigger hassle at a major airport.
 
jordane93 said:
That's weird. My dad uses his Delta employee ID all the time when he goes through security and they let him through.
Click to expand...

I think Zeldman is talking about an AOA badge that happens to have his employer listed. Any airline crew badge (such as your Dad's) should be acceptable for a photo ID.
 
jordane93 said:
That's weird. My dad uses his Delta employee ID all the time when he goes through security and they let him through.
Click to expand...

Yep, I tried the AOA badge. I was on a ticket, not jumpseating. The airline employee ID and other proper credentials would get me through security when jumpseating. When I rode on a ticket, I never wanted anyone, not even TSA to know I am a pilot.

Is anyone here a pilot that hasn't had the fish for dinner..??:lol:
 
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