Few issues at Atlanta airport as Real ID requirement goes into effect for flyers
The requirement went into effect on Wednesday.
If you have a Georgia driver's license and see the star in the upper right-hand corner, then you are good.
But some people at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport still had questions on Wednesday.
Channel 2's Richard Elliot spoke with Simone Reid, who was trying to board a flight back home to Tampa.
She hadn't heard that Wednesday was the first day you needed to have a Real ID-compliant form of identification to fly or face additional security screenings, meaning more delays.
TRENDING STORIES:
'Really? I hadn't heard that,' Reid said.
TSA spokesman Robert Spinden told Elliot they'd been working with Hartsfield-Jackson and other U.S. airports for weeks to get ready for Day One, and said it went off without a hitch.
'We developed a very detailed operational plan in advance of this day, and as you can see, it's working very well,' Spinden said.
TSA agent Alexis Pickeral thinks so, too.
She worked the initial security screening, and most people got through without a problem until she realized this woman did not have a Real ID-compliant driver's license.
That woman was facing more delays until she mentioned she had a passport with her.
'You do have your passport? Perfect. Let's go ahead and use that as an additional form of ID,' Pickeral told the woman.
'She was non-compliant, but luckily, she had a passport, which she was able to scan her passport and she was able to go through without additional screening,' Pickeral said.
Bottom line, if you have a Georgia driver's license, you're probably OK.
If you don't and aren't sure about Real ID, you can still board, but will need to get to the airport a little earlier just in case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Traveling with kids? You'll want to know about this new TSA perk
The TSA is trying something new that could ease one of the biggest headaches in family travel. Here's where it's happening first. Traveling with kids is an Olympic-level challenge—but few moments on the journey test a parent's stamina quite like the airport security line. Between wrestling strollers onto the conveyor belt, corralling wandering toddlers, and fishing crumpled boarding passes from the bottom of a diaper bag, it's a high-stress obstacle course before you've even reached your gate. Does it have to be this bad? Maybe not. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is introducing a new approach aimed at making it easier for families to get through security, and if it catches on, it could be a game-changer for parents. TSA launches family lanes Late last month, the TSA rolled out dedicated family lanes at the security screening checkpoints in select airports. These lanes are designed for parents traveling with young children, giving them extra space, a bit more time, and a less rushed environment to get everyone and everything through safely. The goal: reduce stress for families while keeping the line moving for everyone else. 'Department of Homeland Security and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,' said Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator. Who can use family lanes? The new TSA family lanes are open to any adult traveling with kids under 12 years old, according to a BabyCenter report. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or any other caregiver or guardian traveling with a young child. And yes, if Fido is coming on the family vacation, he can join you, too—the airport security family lanes are open to pets. The family lane is a convenient, but optional way to go through security. In other words, families traveling with children can still use the regular security lanes or TSA PreCheck lanes if they prefer—so you don't have to feel obligated to join if you roll up and spot a toddler mid-meltdown over putting their iPad on the conveyor belt. More than a separate line The TSA's new family lanes are more than just a separate line. The officers in those dedicated lanes will receive on-the-job hospitality screening to meet the unique challenges families face at security. Per BabyCenter, the officers will be able to help handle baby gear and make screening of breastmilk and pumping equipment smoother. At the very least, you won't get the stink-eye from other hurried travelers when it takes an extra minute to collapse a stroller or fish a pacifier out of a carry-on. In the family lane, everyone's in the same boat—and the agents are ready to help you get through it without feeling like you're holding up the entire terminal. Where are the TSA family lanes? The new family lanes are part of a larger TSA initiative called 'Families on the Fly,' which aims improve hospitality at 435 airports across the country. But you won't find these kid-friendly security checkpoints everywhere. The family lanes are slowly rolling out at select airports. The first dedicated TSA family lanes opened at Orlando International Airport (perfect for families traveling home after a Disney vacation!) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in late July. Honolulu also recently opened dedicated family lanes at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The TSA also plans to open family lanes at the following airports: John Wayne Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, California (SNA) Jacksonville International in Florida (JAX) Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (PVD) Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU) Tampa International Airport in Florida (TPA) Fingers crossed the next rollout is a 'no shouting about water bottles' lane—where agents don't have to yell, and somehow everyone magically remembers to chug before the checkpoint.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Traveling with kids? You'll want to know about this new TSA perk
The TSA is trying something new that could ease one of the biggest headaches in family travel. Here's where it's happening first. Traveling with kids is an Olympic-level challenge—but few moments on the journey test a parent's stamina quite like the airport security line. Between wrestling strollers onto the conveyor belt, corralling wandering toddlers, and fishing crumpled boarding passes from the bottom of a diaper bag, it's a high-stress obstacle course before you've even reached your gate. Does it have to be this bad? Maybe not. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is introducing a new approach aimed at making it easier for families to get through security, and if it catches on, it could be a game-changer for parents. TSA launches family lanes Late last month, the TSA rolled out dedicated family lanes at the security screening checkpoints in select airports. These lanes are designed for parents traveling with young children, giving them extra space, a bit more time, and a less rushed environment to get everyone and everything through safely. The goal: reduce stress for families while keeping the line moving for everyone else. 'Department of Homeland Security and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,' said Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator. Who can use family lanes? The new TSA family lanes are open to any adult traveling with kids under 12 years old, according to a BabyCenter report. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or any other caregiver or guardian traveling with a young child. And yes, if Fido is coming on the family vacation, he can join you, too—the airport security family lanes are open to pets. The family lane is a convenient, but optional way to go through security. In other words, families traveling with children can still use the regular security lanes or TSA PreCheck lanes if they prefer—so you don't have to feel obligated to join if you roll up and spot a toddler mid-meltdown over putting their iPad on the conveyor belt. More than a separate line The TSA's new family lanes are more than just a separate line. The officers in those dedicated lanes will receive on-the-job hospitality screening to meet the unique challenges families face at security. Per BabyCenter, the officers will be able to help handle baby gear and make screening of breastmilk and pumping equipment smoother. At the very least, you won't get the stink-eye from other hurried travelers when it takes an extra minute to collapse a stroller or fish a pacifier out of a carry-on. In the family lane, everyone's in the same boat—and the agents are ready to help you get through it without feeling like you're holding up the entire terminal. Where are the TSA family lanes? The new family lanes are part of a larger TSA initiative called 'Families on the Fly,' which aims improve hospitality at 435 airports across the country. But you won't find these kid-friendly security checkpoints everywhere. The family lanes are slowly rolling out at select airports. The first dedicated TSA family lanes opened at Orlando International Airport (perfect for families traveling home after a Disney vacation!) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in late July. Honolulu also recently opened dedicated family lanes at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The TSA also plans to open family lanes at the following airports: John Wayne Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, California (SNA) Jacksonville International in Florida (JAX) Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (PVD) Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU) Tampa International Airport in Florida (TPA) Fingers crossed the next rollout is a 'no shouting about water bottles' lane—where agents don't have to yell, and somehow everyone magically remembers to chug before the checkpoint.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
TSA's faster PreCheck lane is now available at these 15 airports
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched a quicker version of PreCheck, although the service is currently available at only 15 airports in the United States. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID utilizes an enhanced facial recognition technology, Traveler Verification Service, which creates a secure biometric template of a passenger's live facial image and compares it to images the passenger previously provided to the federal government. The live image is taken at an airport checkpoint. The technology is currently being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to TSA's website. It's supposed to be faster because passengers do not need to present an ID card or boarding pass. Passengers who have consented to use the technology can opt out at any time. What US airports are using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID? Here are the airports where the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is in use: Chicago O'Hare International Airport Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Denver International Airport Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport John F. Kennedy International Airport LaGuardia Airport Los Angeles International Airport Newark Liberty International Airport Portland International Airport in Oregon Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Salt Lake City International Airport San Francisco International Airport Seattle–Tacoma International Airport How to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID? To use the feature, passengers must opt in through a participating airline's profile. TSA and CBP are allowing airports and airline partners to request the use of Traveler Verification Services for identity verification under an established TSA process. Upon approval, partners purchase camera equipment to take photos of voluntary passengers at airport baggage drop and boarding locations. The pictures are used to create biometric templates, which are compared against existing government images, according to the TSA's website. During an airline partner's mobile app check-in process, the airline alerts passengers if they can opt in to the service. Passengers who choose to participate will be given a consent indicator on their mobile boarding pass. Those who decide against participating will not receive a consent indicator, TSA states. Even though passengers can opt out at any point, a previously taken photo may still be stored. Which airlines are participating? American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the first carriers to implement the technology, which will be available at the following airports: American Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport. Delta Air Lines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport. United Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport. Alaska Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. How much does it cost? PreCheck Touchless ID is free for individuals who already have TSA PreCheck. The initial cost of TSA PreCheck ranges from $77 to $85. When will PreCheck Touchless ID become available at more airports? While the TSA has not announced any plans to bring the technology to additional airports, the agency's website notes: 'As part of its on-going efforts to enhance the identity verification of passengers by using facial identification technology at airports, TSA looks to continue to expand this technology to additional airports with new airline partners at checkpoints, bag drop and boarding areas for testing and evaluation purposes.' Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is faster, only found at these 15 airports
