07-05-2025
REAL IDs now being implemented in airports
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Airports across the country began enforcing the use of REAL IDs on Wednesday. Travelers coming into Tri-Cities Airport said everything with their REAL ID has gone smoothly.
'I had to go through with my husband. He just recently got his, and it was just smooth sailing,' said a traveler.
'You just stick it in the machine, and it scans it, that's it,' said another traveler.
According to TSA, the same can be said across the country.
News Channel 11 spoke on the phone with TSA spokesperson Mark Howell. He said there has been a low number of noncompliant IDs nationwide.
Another TSA spokesperson, Lisa Farbstein, said in a statement that wait times have not been affected by the REAL ID implementation. Those who do not have a REAL ID or another form of acceptable identification were given a warning and went through additional screening.
County clerks issuing Tennessee REAL ID's
Those who did have a REAL ID alternative say they had no trouble as well.
'I just applied for my REAL ID on Monday, it's in the mail now,' said a traveler without a REAL ID. 'I had to use my TWIC card for ID. It was pretty smooth. It wasn't hard or long at all.'
Those who do not have a REAL ID still need an alternative form of identification and may have to go through additional screening at the airport.
According to the TSA website, other acceptable IDs include a passport, permanent resident card, or a DHS Trusted Traveler Card.
Some travelers also said they saw workers helping those who were not sure about their ID in the TSA line.
'There were a lot of new people that I saw at the airport that I don't normally see, and they were helping people kind of get through that whole line and everything.'
'I did see some people who might have had some difficulties and, you know, they were taking them aside and helping them through the process. Whatever additional steps they said might be happening, they put that all together and everything really went smoothly.'
TSA is still encouraging those without a REAL ID to get one, especially if they plan to travel during the summer.
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