identification checkpoints do nothing to improve safety
Johan wrote, "would you want to be on a plane, knowing one of the other passengers has exercised his right to fly without providing ID?"
My desire to be on a plane is unaffected by whether or not the U.S. government asked the names of people prior to boarding.
What difference would it make if the airport security guards asked and attempted to verify the names of the people next to you on the plane or if those people boarded anonymously?