FAA Airman Certificate replacement

Just replaced mine, as much of the text had worn off the plastic card.
The certificate replacement application requires a photo ID, but there is no photo on the new certificate. The accompanying paperwork states:
"All certificate holders are required to carry positive photo identification while exercising the privileges of the certificate."
Any idea why they aren't putting the photo used to apply on the Airman certificate?
Jim

On Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 2:04:27 PM UTC-4, JS wrote:
Just replaced mine, as much of the text had worn off the plastic card.
The certificate replacement application requires a photo ID, but there is no photo on the new certificate. The accompanying paperwork states:
"All certificate holders are required to carry positive photo identification while exercising the privileges of the certificate."
Any idea why they aren't putting the photo used to apply on the Airman certificate?
Jim

Because the certificate isn't an ID?

Years ago, when I used to fly a lot for work, I would use my pilot cert as my "government issued ID" to go through airport security. Usually left security clueless. I would have to show them it was a federal ID, not some lame state ID. ;-)
That all changed when the requirement was changed to government issued photo ID. About that time, most states went to a photo drivers license.

On Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 1:04:27 PM UTC-5, JS wrote:
Just replaced mine, as much of the text had worn off the plastic card.
The certificate replacement application requires a photo ID, but there is no photo on the new certificate. The accompanying paperwork states:
"All certificate holders are required to carry positive photo identification while exercising the privileges of the certificate."
Any idea why they aren't putting the photo used to apply on the Airman certificate?
Jim

Congress told the FAA over a decade ago to do this. Instead they decided it would be too complicated so they produced the plastic certificate and started doing background checks on us all to provide an equivalent level of security. This is why the 14 yr old kids have to wait multiple weeks for the plastic student pilot certificate to show up now before they can solo. It sure makes me feel safer...