This web page is devoted to the privacy implications of the FAA's aviation security policies, particularly the photo ID requirements and its implications on privacy and civil liberties.
EPIC maintains an informative web page on air travel privacy, which would serve as a reasonable introduction to some of the issues.
There is an excellent publication from the CATO institute on the cost of antiterrorist rhetoric that does a great job of explaining some of the civil liberties concerns. On a similar note, the ACLU also testified before a White House committee on the same subject back in 1996, and their comments are worth reading as well.
Another interesting link is a report on aviation safety from the New York City bar association. This report provides a much more scholarly, thorough, and neutral assessment of US aviation security, although privacy concerns are not a major focus.
If you like, you may read my analysis of the FAA photo ID requirements, and why they are treading on the public's privacy without serving any positive purpose. This essay also gives an overview of some of the issues.
I also have a number of links to newspaper articles on aviation security and its privacy implications:
There is a good web page with links to more information from Declan McCullagh. You can also read the FAA's FAQ on photo ID requirements on their website.
I have obtained two secret documents relating to the FAA photo ID requirements:
Here is a transcription of the flowchart giving America West's procedures on selectees. Also, we have a portion of USAir's photo ID procedures; and you can view Continental's flowchart for photo ID procedures.
I have called up the FAA and asked them for information on the FAA's photo ID requirements. You may read my summary of what they said.
Here is a letter from the FAA themselves on the subject, dated March 13 1996. Notable points: while airlines are required to request ID, they are not required to require ID. (Note that Gail Richardson of the FAA recently said in a phone conversation with me that this is not the case.)
The related technique of profiling passengers---based on, e.g., country of birth, one's last name, and other undisclosed factors---has also raised many concerns. USA Today wrote on the subject; Wired reported on what happens when you hit the profile (summary: Microsoft's chief architect is reminded of his youth in Communist Hungary when he must pass through an aviation security checkpoint), and you can also read their followup article on profiling. You may also read my comments on profiling I sent to the FAA in response to a call for comments.
You can read my description of how to fly without ID, but it involves an unreasonable search---not much of an improvement over an unreasonable violation of privacy. (But if you try it, you'll also see how easy it would be for terrorists to bypass the ID check.)
You can also read about another person's experiences flying without ID and further anecdotes. Several journalists have written about how to avoid showing government ID while flying: see, e.g., Vin Suprynowicz's essay.
If you'd like to ask the FAA for more information or express your opinion, their phone number is 1-800-322-7873. Or, you can visit the web page for the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security and contact the people listed there; or use their handy web comment form.