It's a no-brainer. If there's a problem on the plane, they need to know who is on it. Of course, if this man had his way, an escaped murderer could just buy a ticket and fly off. Also, the airlines could require the ID, even if the government didn't.
Sure, the airlines could require that. But, there is stiff competition among the airlines. One would start to *not* require ID. People would fly it or not, and we would see if there was a market for it.
So? That was the case for ohh... 70 years, and it didn't kill us.
Tyranny is always justified with an appeal to safety. I'd rather be a little less safe and a little more free. You can fly the airline that requires ID. I'll fly the one that doesn't, or accepts private ID that the company vouches belongs to an American Citizen without a felony conviction.. or any of a thousand market alternatives that would do the job as well or better without worrying about government control run amuck, thank you very much.