I'm writing this petition to address a concerning issue that I personally experienced and believe needs urgent attention. Recently, after disembarking from a flight, my children and I were stopped and questioned by an airline employee with police presence.  The reason behind this distressing encounter? A flight attendant suspected me of trafficking my own children simply because one of them didn't answer her questions in a timely manner and called ahead to have us stopped questioned.

This incident left me shocked and humiliated, but it also made me realize the potential harm that can arise from leaving determinations of proof of guardianship up to the discretion of flight attendants, pilots, or concerned passengers. It is not fair nor justifiable to subject innocent parents and their children to such scrutiny without any concrete evidence or reasonable suspicion and should, by and large be outside the purview of airplane personel.

Therefore, I am calling on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to implement the practice of mandatory ID checks for children under the age of 18 when traveling with their parents or legal guardians.

By making it mandatory for all airports across the country to follow this policy consistently, we can ensure fairness and eliminate unnecessary encounters like mine, but most importantly,  implementing a standardized process will act as an effective deterrent against potential traffickers who exploit loopholes in our current system. Requiring children under 18 to show identification will make it significantly more difficult for criminals involved in child trafficking operations to go undetected at airport security checkpoints.

Most local DMVs already allow individuals of any age to obtain ID cards with proper guardianship or parental verification. This demonstrates that the infrastructure and resources are readily available to implement a nationwide policy change.

By signing this petition, you are joining me in urging the TSA to prioritize the safety and well-being of families traveling together by implementing mandatory ID checks for children under 18. Let us ensure that innocent parents are not subjected to unnecessary scrutiny, while simultaneously strengthening our efforts against child trafficking.

Together, we can make a difference and create a more efficient, fair, and secure travel experience for all families. Sign this petition today and let your voice be heard!

Thank you for your support.

David Ryan Harris