Sacramento airport sees 95% compliance on first day of Real ID requirements

Yahoo

08-05-2025

The first day of federal Real ID enforcement at airports passed quietly across Northern California on Wednesday, with no significant disruptions reported at Sacramento International Airport or other major travel hubs in the region.
At Sacramento International Airport, compliance with the new federal identification requirement exceeded 95% by early morning, according to Lindsay Myers, a spokesperson for Sacramento County, which operates the airport. Myers said many travelers presented U.S. passports instead of state-issued Real ID driver's licenses to board domestic flights.
'That's about a quarter to a third of our daily volume,' she said, adding that passengers without compliant IDs are still being screened — but through additional security measures. 'Anyone traveling without a Real ID or acceptable alternative will have additional security screening when they get to the airport.'
That's what Dallas native Jenna Paez had to face.
When Paez came to Sacramento to visit family, she didn't need a Real ID to fly west. She said everything was 'very simple, very smooth.'
But on her return flight home, Transportation Security Agency personnel asked for another form of identification since her state-issued ID wasn't compliant with the new mandate. She didn't have a passport to show, so agents took her out of line for a quick bit of additional security screening. That included going through her carry-on bags before they allowed her through the checkpoint.
The extra check took a few extra seconds, said Paez, who was able to continue on and reach her gate well ahead of boarding.
Houston native Scout Roberts had a connecting flight in Sacramento before making his way home to Portland, Oregon, to meet friends and celebrate his birthday. Roberts boarded his Wednesday flight without a Real ID, opting to use his passport instead.
'I just haven't gotten around to getting the Real ID yet,' the now 30-year-old said. 'But sometime soon.'
Travelers pass smoothly through security at Sacramento International Airport on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as the federal Real ID requirement for domestic flights takes effect nationwide.
Despite concerns ahead of the deadline, airport operations across California were business as usual.
'At our airport, and from anecdotal reports at other airports, wait times have been normal and operations have been normal,' Myers said. 'I have heard of no negative issues.'
The TSA added extra agents to assist travelers with the transition. By Wednesday afternoon, SMF had not experienced any delays linked to the change, according to Myers, nor was it impacted by disruptions at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, which has experienced significant operational disruptions — including a critical shortage of air traffic controllers — since late last month.
At airports across the Bay Area — including Oakland and San Jose — operations remained similarly unaffected. San Jose Mineta International Airport reported normal checkpoint traffic, and Oakland International officials said there were 'no significant backups' despite the enforcement of the long-delayed security measure, according to the Bay Area News Group.
Nationally, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that travelers who lack a Real ID can still fly but should expect delays. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers this week that about 81% of American travelers already carry a federally compliant form of identification, such as a REAL ID, passport or military ID.
'But people will be allowed to fly,' Noem said during a Congressional hearing Tuesday. 'We will make sure it's as seamless as possible.'
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, sets minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. Implementation had been repeatedly delayed.
In California, a Real ID driver's license can be identified by a golden bear and star symbol in the upper-right corner. The California DMV said this week that about 58% of state ID and license holders have upgraded to a Real ID so far.
Gustavo Estrada, a San Diego native who was leaving Sacramento back home from a work trip, knew the day would eventually come when the REAL IDs were needed. When he recently renewed his driver's license, he ensured it came back as a REAL ID.
'It's just something that I noticed over the course of however long it's kind of been pushed,' Estrada said of getting his REAL ID. 'We've gotten the warnings and whatnot. So I just rather be safe than sorry. I'm really glad that I was safe, and that I have this gold bear with the star on there. …Today's the first day of the REAL ID, so everything just seems normal.'
For weeks, the DMV has ramped up services at select locations statewide including Folsom and Carmichael, and will continue to do so through the month to help motorists get the compliant licenses if they choose. Travelers can still opt to use a current U.S. passport to board planes.
Airports are urging travelers who are unsure about their ID status to arrive early and check requirements before arriving at the security checkpoint.
'We're fortunate that most travelers appear well-prepared,' Myers said. 'That's made a big difference.'
The Bay Area News Group contributed to this story