Aberdeen to Leeds - 92 year old veteran needs a passport
 

It is a problem for many old people - my 87 year-old father needed to prove his ID in the branch of the bank that he has been using for over 70 years and as he has neither a passport nor a current driving license then it took the personal intervention of the manager to allow his Blue Badge parking permit to be used (the only photo ID that he possesses).

The problem is that only these two forms of ID are currently accepted by most organisations these days (the day of accepting an RAF ID Card as proof of identity in banks etc are long gone) because the employee has to follow the rules without exception. I am sure that some-one with sufficient authority at Leeds Bradford will see common sense, but an employee's job could be at risk if they broke the rules without permission from above.

He'll get nowhere against the autobots of Airport Security. Without doubt they are the worst thing about civil aviation. :ugh:

"autobots of Airport Security"

I like that :ok:

Sums them up perfectly.

The lunatics are running the asylum. :ugh:

Can someone not just fly him to LBA in a light ac - is there a fg club there? - and keep him airside.

Duncs:ok:

I bet he didn't need a passport 70 years ago.

Yes, but German 'airport security' shot him down then.

A jobsworth for Leeds Bradford said: "There are strict guidelines governing the issue of visitor passes. One element is an official form of identification.
"Both Leeds Bradford and the Association have tried to assist the family in obtaining the required documents."

Amended the above quotation in the interests of accuracy :*

Mr Crowther is 99 according to the headline,and it was his brother that was shot down.If he was flying from Aberdeen to LBA and back he would need a passport,but it would seem that nobody has the balls to make a decision,and an exception to the `rules`.It should not be too difficult to provide an `escort`,even a hi-vis jacket with lights,in case he gets too frisky..
A sad reflection on those in `Authority` who can`t show some common sense,and a bit of curtesy and respect for those who gave them `freedom`....

I believe it's now sorted, according to the BBC Scottish news this evening.

BBC News - Aberdeenshire Veteran can attend WW2 memorial

That link now says he can go. He could have a free passport at his age.

so all security policy is now decided on the basis of media embarrassment?

at what point did PR become the be-all-and-end-all? I've a good mind to write to the PM about........HANG ON!?:suspect:

This very strange, I fly up to Scotland often enough. I'm flying up in a couple of weeks and I haven't needed a passport since I allowed it to lapse in 2009. I'm self conscious enough to check each time I book my tickets. I checked again this time and a photo I.D. is all that is sufficient.

FB

FB - it depends on the airline what sort of photo id is accepted. With easyjet, I've used my Costco card on one occasion, and I've heard of a Cineworld membership card being used. But others are more strict - passport, driving licence of Govt/Forces ID for example.

Sorry if maybe I'm over simplifying things, but, can't Cameron just tel em "Let Him In"?

On one occasion I got to LHR only to find I had left my passport at home. I told the check-in lady, Aer Lingus, and she asked if I had any other photo ID. On informing her I did have my Freedom Pass she told me that would be fine. :cool:

I have used my DL to identify myself to fly in the UK for 12 times in the last 6 weeks.. Next week I will have to work airside without a proper airside pass at two different places possibly. That is still in the process of application. Passport will not be enough either. Our old warhorse has it easy, get a passport because he is too old for a driving licence.. It will happen if he asks, why use the rubbish press?? :ooh:

?

Because he lost his last one 40 years ago and it will take six weeks to verify and re-issue.

Wouldn't rely on that. Wasn't the station commander of RAF St Mawgan refused boarding on a Ryanair flight to Stanstead when they didn't accept his F1250 as valid ID? A bit rich when it was his runway etc they were using!