The whys and wherefores of airline-travel procedure

Have you ever wondered why certain details seem to be so important when you just want to get on your flight and get out of town? What if I don't have my driver's license with me? Why did they pick my bag to hand check?

These questions and many others are among the most often asked by passengers traveling through our nation's airports. Following are some of commonly asked questions and answers.

Do I have to have a photo identification to fly?

The Federal Aviation Administration does not prohibit the airline from transporting any passenger who does not present a photo ID. Airlines have alternate procedures that allow them to transport passengers without ID. However, some airlines choose not to use those procedures, which is their prerogative.

Why didn't the airline ask for my ID?

The FAA does not require all passengers to present ID. The FAA requires that airlines apply additional security measures to passengers who are unable to produce ID upon request.

Is it acceptable for the airline to transport my baggage without me?

The FAA does not require airlines to transport the passenger and the baggage on the same flight for all passengers on domestic flights. Airlines may apply security measures to checked baggage at the ticket counter and after acceptance, which allows them to transport the baggage without the passenger. The FAA does require that the airline transport the passenger and her baggage on the same international flight.

Who is responsible for the people working at our nation's airports performing security screening? When and why do they physically search my carry-on?

Preboarding screeners are either direct airline employees or, in most cases, contracted by the airline to perform security screening functions. The FAA requires airlines to screen all items entering the secure area of the airport. Preboard screeners may screen carry-on items by X-ray or manual search. If screeners observe an item inside a bag that they cannot readily identify during the X-ray inspection, they must open the bag and manually inspect the contents.

Why did the alarm go off at one walk-through metal detector and not another?

The FAA calibrates each walk-through metal detector to the same minimum standard using FAA approved test items. However, walk-through metal detectors may respond differently depending on the physical environment they are operated in.

Why did the airline select me for additional security screening? Did they violate my civil rights?

If the air carrier followed proper procedures, your civil rights were not violated. You were selected based on predetermined passenger screening selection criteria. The Department of Justice has reviewed the FAA selection criteria and determined that it does not violate the civil liberties of anyone regardless of race, gender, national origin or religion.

Why do some places manually search my laptop or electronic equipment and some X-ray it?

Depending on the equipment available at the checkpoint, pre-boarding screeners may be required to hand search electronic items instead of placing them through the X-ray machine. X-ray screening will not harm computer hard drives or diskettes. Explosive trace detection systems deployed at some screening locations allow the pre-boarding screener to inspect electronic devices without requiring them to be turned on.

These questions and answers are provided by the Civil Aviation Security Organization.

The FAA's primary focus is aviation safety. If you ever have a safety-related concern, or want to report a possible safety issue, you can call the FAA safety hot line at 800-255-1111.

(Leigh Daniels is marketing and communications director for the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport.)