Question about Flying

[mustard-tree]

I am in my mid 60s and have never flown in an aeroplane.

I have been in a hot air balloon and a 5 minute pleasure flight in a helicopter

I thought it would be a good idea for me and my friend to go from Bristol to Glasgow by air for a day trip

But looking on a website, it states that all passengers, even on domestic flights must produce photo id.

No problem for me, as I have a photo driving licence, but my friend has no passport or driving licence.

Anyone any idea why they should want this, when, if travelling by train or coach, we can simply buy a ticket and go.

I have trawled the website, but no reason is given.

[martinlufc88]

I think it's to do with immigration laws, everyone has to show some sort of photo identification even for domestic flights, check the airline you booked with it should show a list of the different I.D's required, you cant really do anything these days unless you have a passport or driving license to prove your identity.

[right-then-petal]

A Bus Pass

[right-then-petal]

Or If Your Friend Has A Council Place They May Have Their Photo Like Gloucester Do

[mustard-tree]

What have immigration laws to do with flying within the same country ( I use the term loosely)

It would be the same if I were flying from Bristol to Manchester.

[mustard-tree]

My friend does have a bus pass, and a disabled blue badge, but not sure if they are acceptable.

[not2sureabouthim]

Check with whatever airline you were thinking of using, they vary.

Flybe for instance, will accept a photographic disabled badge, a council issued bus pass, or even a pension book.

Easyjet though, don't seem to accept those, apart from a pension book.

[fallen-archie]

Is it not more to do with the possibility of some kind of threat, aircraft beng a favoured target of disaffected freedom fighters. You can't just pull up in a layby.

[2017clearout]

I think archie's right: it's a security measure (terrorists presumably not having access to fake photo ID...)  

Some airlines will accept those proof of age cards: they're aimed at youngsters, but there's no upper age limit - it varies by airline, though, so as others have said, check directly.

[vamo48]

Pensions don't come with books these days, they are paid through one's bank

[not2sureabouthim]

Ah I see. Not being in receipt of one, I wouldn't know, I was just quoting from those airlines websites, not personal experience.

[suzieseaside]

Undoubtedly for security reasons.

If it is Easyjet, they just say:

It’s not necessary to bring your passport if you’re flying to Scotland. You simply need to bring a form of photographic ID: your driving license is acceptable.

So they are only suggesting a driving license but presumably any other form of photographic ID such as a bus pass might be acceptable.  Best to contact them directly and ask before booking.

[fallen-archie]

Many younger RT regulars may remember a thread some years ago in which Ms Seaside built her own Aeroplane and flew it from a field in Brecon around Mount Snowdon wearing only a scarf and a flying helmet. The picture below was taken after she had landed and covered up.

[malacandran]

Looking at the picture, these thoughts occur:

.

1.  She hasn't got a scarf on

2.  She has no flying-helmet, just what looks like a woolen beenie-hat

3.  Her calfs and feet appear to be encased in leggings from a 14th-century medieval armour suit.

This is highly suspicious. 

Has the photograph been validated by reliable sources?

[fallen-archie]

Scrutinised, Hypothesised, scanned and panned by the mystified, stared and glared at, even the wooly hat, by official order but with caveat, Scarf and Helmet only must only be worn once the maiden fair has become airborn.

[malacandran]

Well ok, if you say so.  But it doesn't look real to me. Too posed and false.

What would the motive be? To show that women too, can fly aeroplanes?  If so, it  has led to bad results.

Even during the Battle of Britain in 1940, women weren't allowed to fly combat missions in Spitfires and Hurricanes.

But now in 2015 women are encouraged to join the RAF and attack in fighter planes. Though they probably don't really want to, except that they think they have to, because of the media-pressure on them. 

That old photograph shows a woman pushed out of her natural role.  Does she look happy?

[not2sureabouthim]

It is a real photograph, but the woman is Ruth Law.

She learned to fly around 1912 & was the second woman to perform a loop in 1915.

I can't swear to it, but I don't think the RT was around then. 

[electric*mayhem*band]

The RT wasn't, but a few of the contributors were.

[i-am-legion-too]

---

@malacandran wrote:

Well ok, if you say so.  But it doesn't look real to me. Too posed and false.

What would the motive be? To show that women too, can fly aeroplanes?  If so, it  has led to bad results.

Even during the Battle of Britain in 1940, women weren't allowed to fly combat missions in Spitfires and Hurricanes.

But now in 2015 women are encouraged to join the RAF and attack in fighter planes. Though they probably don't really want to, except that they think they have to, because of the media-pressure on them. 

That old photograph shows a woman pushed out of her natural role.  Does she look happy?

---

The Soviets didn't seem to have any objections to allowing the girlies to fly in WW2.

Most were late teens-early 20s, those that survived  had nearly all completed 800 missions, no radar, not even parachutes.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/07/night-witches-the-female-fighter-pilots-of-wor...

Media pressure?!

[suzieseaside]

Ooh Nooo - I've been outed 

Those joysticks were a challenge.