Rather you lack perspective on the wider world. It is not uncommon to have an "unofficial" living situation and work under the table. In that scenario which documents would have your name and address on it? Will the DMV accept a purchase order from Amazon? Get real.
Even when I worked under the table and was out of status, I always had enough documents to get Real ID (but couldn't due to status).
For context, at one point I couldn't even get AB60 license in California because I didn't have a single photo ID that isn't expired, and you just need some photo id and pulse to get AB60.
> Will the DMV accept a purchase order from Amazon?
DMV accepted my marriage license and bank statement. Bank accepted "I will mail you my card, bring back in sealed envelope".
> Rather you lack perspective on the wider world.
I don't think so.
That's an interesting point about the bank statement. However you still need a second document IIUC. And to even open an account in the first place won't you need similar documentation? I've never tried opening one while in that position - I've always just brought my passport in with me while cursing KYC laws.
So assuming you already have a regular driver's license and a bank account this would make the requirement to fly 1. verify address with bank 2. figure out an additional piece of documentation 3. pay fee for "real" ID 4. wait a while.
How does that improve security? Why do I need any ID at all in the first place? If the concern is weapons or explosives then just search for those ... which they already do.
Another thought occurs to me. What if I grab a homeless person off the street and attempt to fly with him? So now there's an additional $45 "no ID" fee? That hardly seems reasonable. Will they even be able to verify much of anything in that scenario to begin with? (Granted that's an edge case but that doesn't mean it's okay to ignore it.)
> However you still need a second document IIUC. And to even open an account in the first place won't you need similar documentation?
Nope, KYC rules are different from Real ID rules. Banks accept more documents ad PoA. It comes down to: does the person have access to banking or not because it's the easiest PoA.
> How does that improve security? Why do I need any ID at all in the first place? If the concern is weapons or explosives then just search for those ... which they already do.
Like I said in the original message - every state has different requirements for IDs. I was able to get California AB-60 with just paper (no RFID) foreign passport that looked like I made it myself and laminated at it at FedEx.
> 3. pay fee for "real" ID 4. wait a while.
I don't know how other states do it, but I'm pretty sure in CA it's the same time it takes to get a regular ID. and the fee difference is like $20?
> Another thought occurs to me. What if I grab a homeless person off the street and attempt to fly with him? So now there's an additional $45 "no ID" fee?
Well, that person still needs some ID to fly? I'm against that tho, I'd start enforcing real id years ago if it were up to me.