The Grand Rush for REAL ID: What You Need to Know About Flying Domestically
U.S. Domestic flights now necessitate a REAL ID for most travelers.
Starting today, REAL ID requirements are in effect for those traversing the skies within the US. Across the nation, folks flocked to government offices yesterday to secure their compliant IDs to avoid last-minute chaos.
In urban centers like Chicago, officials set up a Real ID Supercenter, offering walk-in appointments, while California and other states extended their office hours to accommodate the influx of petitioners.
"I'm here today to beat the deadline," Marion Henderson, an eager applicant from Jackson, Mississippi, expressed, having applied for her REAL ID the day prior.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the Millions unready for today's mandate, vowing that passengers without a Real ID could still fly after undergoing additional identity checks.
Yet, some voiced displeasure at the unnecessary waiting lines faced as they secured their IDs. Michael Aceto, for example, endured a lengthy 2.5-hour wait at a DMV in Pennsylvania on Tuesday before receiving his Real ID.
"It's a colossal waste of time," he asserted. "Everyone needs to take a chunk out of their workday."
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urged those without compliant identification to arrive early at the airport and be prepared for in-depth screening to dodge delays.
Curious minds have deluged Reddit threads and Facebook groups in recent weeks, questioning whether travel without a Real ID is still possible and exchanging tales about wait times, among other things.
Addressing a congressional panel, Noem revealed that 81% of travelers already possess a REAL ID. She assured that security checkpoints would continue accepting other identification such as passports and tribal identification, as they have been doing.
Yet, those still languishing without REAL ID-compatible identification might face a separate line or an additional step to pass through checkpoints, according to Noem.
"But rest assured, people will be allowed to fly," she assured. "We're dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible."
Real ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card deemed a more secure form of identification by Homeland Security. Suggested by the 9/11 Commission and enacted into law in 2005, the law was initially intended to be rolled out in 2008, but implementation kept getting delayed.
Thomas Carter, TSA's Federal Security Director in New Jersey, shared that its aim is to "minimize identity fraud when encountering checkpoints by verifying individuals are exactly who they claim to be."
Carter advises those without REAL ID to grant themselves additional time to clear security. In his words, "if they do so, I don't foresee others missing their flights."
In addition to serving as a valid identification for domestic air travel, REAL ID cards will also be required for access to some federal buildings and facilities. With the surge in demand for REAL ID, state offices issuing driver's licenses and state IDs have had to extend their hours to cater to the influx of petitioners. Some even recommend waiting a while to apply for compliant licenses and cards if travel plans aren't imminent.
"We encourage people who possess passports or other REAL ID-compatible documents and those with no travel plans till a few months from now to wait past the current peak rush to apply for a REAL ID," suggested Erin Johnson, a spokesperson from Minnesota's Department of Public Safety. Johnson indicated that the department has witnessed an increase in demand for REAL ID in recent weeks, with more than 99,000 applications recorded in April, nearly double the number from February.
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends travelers without REAL ID to grant themselves additional time to clear security, as a precaution to avoid missing flights.
- REAL ID cards, apart from being a valid identification for domestic air travel, will also be required for access to some federal buildings and facilities.
- Some states, like Minnesota, are advising travelers who possess passports or other REAL ID-compatible documents, as well as those with no travel plans till a few months from now, to wait past the current peak rush to apply for a REAL ID to avoid the influx of petitioners.
