I flew in mid-90s with no ID on tickets booked in name of office manager.
Can still fly in USA without ID. The checkpoint "agents" have you sign a special form.
Last summer I "Scotch" taped the crap out of the barcode and picture on my passport. Checkpoint person asked me why and I mumbled because the real answer was "to see what happens." She called supervisor and he quickly waved me through. May be different effect at immigration.