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STORY

FAA Pilot Certificate ID Paradox

Type: story
Participants: Randal Schwartz

  • FAA Pilot Certificate ID Paradox

  • A humorous observation about the security paradox of the FAA-issued pilot certificate.

  • The Incident

    • While picking up a prescription at a pharmacy, the pharmacist asked for my ID.
    • As I leafed through my wallet, I noticed my federally issued pilot certificate card and briefly wondered if I should use it, before presenting my Oregon driver's license.

  • The Paradox

    • The incident made me realize the funny bureaucratic contradiction of the card.
    • The FAA pilot certificate officially authorizes me to command a flight as pilot-in-command (having logged 270 hours of PIC flight time).
    • However, because the card does not contain a photograph, TSA regulations prevent me from using it as identification to board a flight as a passenger.
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.