Latest news with #BartJohnson
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Buffalo Airport TSA prepares for possible delays as Real ID deadline approaches
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Starting Wednesday, travelers flying out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport will need to be Real ID-compliant. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said travelers could run into delays and possibly miss flights without a Real ID. TSA officials said having a Real ID has been long overdue and that everyone will need to follow the new requirement. Posters around the airport will be up to remind travelers. Bart Johnson, the federal security director for the TSA in upstate New York, said only 40 percent of New Yorkers already have a Real ID. If travelers show up to the airport and do not have a Real ID or passport, TSA will give them an orange slip and they will be be subject to additional screening. It's unclear what that additional screening will be and how long it could take. Johnson said for security reasons, they won't release that information. 'We're going to be very much involved, we're going to be very careful, very secure and individuals may be selected for additional screening,' Johnson said. 'I'm not going to share what that general screening is because I don't want to make ourselves vulnerable and tip off anyone that may try to take advantage of the situation.' Johnson is asking travelers to be patient on Wednesday while TSA officers do their jobs. Travelers who have a Real ID or passport should have no issues making their flights, he said. A Real ID-compliant license will have either a star or flag on the top right corner of the card. It is still possible to acquire one after May 7. Latest Local News Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
TSA: New Yorkers without REAL ID may face airport security delays
GATES, N.Y. (WROC) – New York's REAL ID law takes effect Wednesday. Travelers who don't have the correct form of identification will still be able to fly, but should be prepared for extra screening, according to the Department of Homeland Security. As News 8 has previously reported, in order to board a flight, the TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at security checkpoints. This applies to all passengers 18 and older. Other acceptable forms of identification include an enhanced license or a passport. TSA federal security director Bart Johnson made a stop to the Greater Rochester International Airport Tuesday to make a last push of awareness for passengers. Johnson reiterates New Yorkers who don't have the proper identification can expect to face delays and additional screening. 'My message to them is if they don't have it, check to make sure you don't have a passport, or government DOD identification, or another acceptable form. Then, you'll be fine,' said Johnson, 'If they're not prepared, we'll still deal with them individually based on our operational plan. It wouldn't be a good idea to get in an argument with an officer, there's going to be additional law enforcement here should that problem arise.' Those who still need a REAL ID compliant license must visit a New York State DMV branch in-person. If you plan to travel, TSA leaders encourage you to be prepared and know the requirements. More information can be found on the TSA's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Buffalo Airport TSA intercepts 2 guns at security checkpoint
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two men from Williamsville and Grand Island were stopped at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport's security checkpoint last week and this week for allegedly having guns, a TSA spokesperson announced Thursday. Officials said the Grand Island man was stopped on March 21 with a 9mm handgun that was with his carry-on items. The gun was allegedly loaded with 13 bullets, which included one in the chamber. The Williamsville man was stopped on March 26 with a 9mm firearm loaded with nine bullets, officials said. He also allegedly had one bullet in the gun's chamber. TSA workers then notified police, who responded to the security checkpoint and took the weapons. Since both men had a valid New York State pistol permit, they were cited with a notice of violation on a weapons charge. Officials said the men are facing a 'stiff' civil penalty from TSA. A penalty for carrying weapons can be up to $15,000. 'It is difficult for me to understand how two individuals who hold New York State Pistol Permits did not know where their handguns were and as a result they brought them to a checkpoint, jeopardizing innocent people,' said Bart Johnson, TSA's federal security director for airports in Upstate New York. 'The actions of these travelers were irresponsible and reckless, and they will be held accountable. Fortunately, the weapons were detected by our alert officers.' The two guns marked the first guns to be intercepted at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport this year, according to data from the TSA. Last year, four guns were intercepted. Click here for more information from the TSA on how to travel with a firearm. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
