Dunno about flying, but if you refuse to show ID when asked for it on Amtrak, you'll get put off the train at the next station.

Wow. I do like the idea, although I admit I probably won't do it either because when I fly it is usually for something fairly important to me. :-(

What is 'secondary screening' though?

The thing I found most odd in the US was being required to show photo id when using credit cards in just ordinary shops and such like. I usually didn't have to, mainly because of having an English accent I suspect, but that was very very strange.

It was the randomness that bugged me, I didn't feel like keeping my passport anywhere other than in the hotel safe while I was wandering around and I'd be VERY surprised if 'random person in a shop' knew a genuine UK driving licence from a hole in the ground.

I just didn't get it - and as I said an English accent usually got me out of it, at both Disneyland and a nightclub in Hollywood (where it seemed photo id. was mandatory 'cos alcohol was served), we still managed to talk our way past about 3 layers of security. All very odd.

I believe it's legal, because using a credit card isn't a fundamental right, kind of thing.

For the brave and patient, indeed. I'd love to try something like this, but I think most folks would be too intimidated, or to worried about catching an important flight to try this.

I was under the impression that adults are legally required to carry ID in public. Maybe it's a local law? Anyway, I'm all in favor of challenging it, but I limit my challenge to walking the dogs around the block without ID.