> > People were flying without any photo ID until just a few years ago

> And how well did that end up?

With no more serious problems than have been seen under the new regime over a much longer period than the new regime has been in place.

> Remember "back in the good old days" when 30+ highjackings a year was normal?

Well, no, not literally, because I'm under 50. But I do remember the much lighter than the current regime security checks that were put into place which ended that, and reduced the base rate of security incidents so low that it's nearly impossible to detect whether the much more intrusive current measures have any added effect.

Would showing a photo ID have prevented those hijackings? I suspect not but I am ready to learn otherwise.