Rural Airline Checking

[Flying Fox]

So last week I was flying from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs with the family on QF and had what I consider an unusual experience with check-in.

So I was asked for photo ID for the four adults in the group. Then I was asked for a Medicare card for my kids (never had this asked of me before). I didn't have it on me and there was panic on the faces of our family and the check-in lady. After some fumbling I remembered that I had a photo of my Medicare card and she accepted this.

I have flown many times with the family all around AUS and never experienced either the request for photo ID or Medicare card.

1. Is this normal?

2. What happens if I didn't have a photo of my Medicare card?

TIA

 

[Dr Ralph]

So last week I was flying from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs with the family on QF and had what I consider an unusual experience with check-in.

So I was asked for photo ID for the four adults in the group. Then I was asked for a Medicare card for my kids (never had this asked of me before). I didn't have it on me and there was panic on the faces of our family and the check-in lady. After some fumbling I remembered that I had a photo of my Medicare card and she accepted this.

I have flown many times with the family all around AUS and never experienced either the request for photo ID or Medicare card.

1. Is this normal?

2. What happens if I didn't have a photo of my Medicare card?

TIA

Definitely not normal nor required.

Many people may not carry their Medicare card with them at all times and some may not even possess one.

Perhaps they were just after a second form of ID?

 

[JohnPhelan]

Quite common to ask for photo ID if using a check-in counter (as distinct from online check-in or kiosk). I guess the Medicare cards for the kids were because the staff presumed the kids would have no photo ID.

 

[dontwanttoregister]

So I was asked for photo ID for the four adults in the group. Then I was asked for a Medicare card for my kids

I had this for the first time recently when flying Virgin Syd-Mel and back home. I was asked for ID for adults and asked for a Medicare card showing the children's names and at the name of at least one adult from the party.

I don't recall ever having to do this before.

 

[Flying Fox]

Many people may not carry their Medicare card with them at all times and some may not even possess one.

Agreed, I don't carry my Medicare card around in my wallet. Fortunately I had started taking phone photos of my second tier cards (such as Medicare etc) so that I can carry them virtually.

I had this for the first time recently when flying Virgin Syd-Mel and back home. I was asked for ID for adults and asked for a Medicare card showing the children's names and at the name of at least one adult from the party.

I don't recall ever having to do this before.

Glad it wasn't a first just for me.

Actually, my kids also sometimes travel with their only their grandparents. What happens then?

I still wonder what happens if your don't have your Medicare card or similar on you?

 

[Gremlin]

I've had this request regularly when travelling with the mini-Gremlins. All passengers are required to show a valid form of ID upon request.