Latest news with #Dankers
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
The Transportation Security Administration wants to make something very clear: you can't use your Costco membership card as a form of identification. On June 4, the TSA attempted to dispel rumors on social media that using a Costco card is equivalent to using a REAL ID to get through airport security. According to reports, the rumor has been seen on Reddit posts and blog posts. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said presenting your Costco card to TSA will just lead to delays. "Let me tell you something about that. Whoever wrote that story is recycling old material,' Dankers told SF Gate. "Essentially, what the process they're describing is … let's say you lost your ID and only had a Costco card in your pocket. That would help establish a baseline identity for you. The TSA officer would use that as a starting point to confirm your identity, but they would still have to go through our identity verification process.' Here is the type of ID you're supposed to have at the airport. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, sets security standards for issuing sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to the September 11 attacks. Texas began issuing REAL ID-compliant cards on October 10, 2016. These cards are marked with a gold circle with an inset star located in the upper right-hand corner. If you look at your current Texas driver's license, it should have a gold star at the top-right corner of the ID. Your current Texas driver's license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. If it doesn't, you'll see the gold star on your next renewal or request a replacement card. If you plan to fly domestically, the deadline to be REAL ID ready was May 7, 2025. On June 4, the TSA shared a post on X, advising people not to attempt to use a Costco membership card of any kind to bypass airport security. A Costco membership card will not count as a REAL ID. According to you can apply for a new REAL ID-compliant Texas driver's license or ID in person at a Texas DPS office. You may be eligible to renew your existing Texas driver's license or ID online. You can still use your current, unexpired Texas driver's license or ID to drive and for non-federal ID purposes. When it's time to renew your driver's license or ID, you'll get a REAL ID-compliant one. REAL IDs work for domestic travel, but can't replace a passport for international flights. Passports are still required for venturing beyond U.S. borders. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
TSA refutes rumors about using Costco cards as an airport ID alternative
The Brief TSA officials are debunking reports that a Costco membership card can be used at airport security checkpoints. Officials stressed that the big-box membership card is not an acceptable form of TSA identification. They said trying to use the cards will result in significant delays for the traveler and others at the checkpoint. OAKLAND, Calif. - Federal transportation officials are strongly refuting internet rumors that suggest a Costco membership card can be used as a form of identification to get through airport security. What they're saying "That is not considered an acceptable form of identification. It's not a government-issued ID," said Transportation Security Administration Spokesperson Lorie Dankers, who noted that the agency has been very clear about what constitutes an acceptable form of identification for air travel, especially in the context of the REAL ID. The new law replacing the traditional driver's license with a REAL ID-compliant license for domestic air travel went into effect last month after years of delays. In addition to REAL IDs, other acceptable forms of identification include a passport, a U.S. passport card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, and a Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card like Global Entry and NEXUS. "Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel," the TSA specified on its website, with a list of acceptable IDs. The agency also noted that the list is subject to change without notice, and advised travelers to recheck it before getting on a flight. SEE ALSO: Traveling to the UK? You'll need this document to enter the country Dankers addressed the Costco card rumors by saying that every few months, this fallacy circulates on the internet, and people are misled to believe the membership card will be accepted at TSA security checkpoints. But she warned against depending on a Costco card or any non-governmental card to get you cleared to board a plane. A Reddit post from last month has gotten a lot of traction with many people discussing their experiences. "It's mostly click-bait," Dankers said. She did note that Costco cards and other identification that uses a photo can be used in extreme cases to support those travelers who find themselves in a bind due to lost or stolen identification. Dankers said that in the situation where a traveler only has a non-governmental-issued photo ID on them, anything from a Costco membership card to a library card or student identification, the cards can be used to establish a launching point in the strict and detailed process of proving their identity. It's better than not having any form of a photo ID. "At least we know that some place has given them an ID," the TSA spokesperson explained, while stressing, "That in itself is not considered an acceptable ID but is considered a baseline." That baseline would allow TSA officials to begin a vetting process, involving a series of verification steps to try and confirm someone's identity. But travelers are warned that it's not a process anyone would want to go through, as it's time-consuming, and if the person's identity can't be confirmed, they will be denied access to fly. "There is no upside to doing this because all it does is delay you," Dankers said, adding that it's not only going to delay the traveler without their proper ID on them, but the process can lead to long delays for others. A TSA agent working on your case will affect the workflow at the checkpoint and threaten the schedules of other travelers who are rushing to catch a flight. "It causes our resources to be taken," Dankers said, stressing, "It should only be used in the most extreme of cases." And even then, there's no guarantee your Costco or other non-governmental photo card will lead to a verification of your ID and allow you to get on that flight.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
REAL ID deadline causing no major issues at SEA
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways With the REAL ID deadline here, many travelers throughout SEA airport were prepared for the worst — with people possibly being turned away at TSA checkpoints or longer screenings if they didn't have a REAL ID or other forms of ID compliant with REAL ID. Yet when KIRO 7 was out at the airport throughout the day, it was smooth sailing with no major issues. 'It was like in and out and done. It was… it was good,' said one passenger traveling through SEA. A spokesperson with SEA says all went well with no problems or concerns with operations and that many travelers were ready with their REAL ID or other form of identification in order to get through TSA. During a conversation with KIRO 7 the week prior to the deadline, TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said they were prepared for the deadline. 'And we are making sure that those who are ready for REAL ID enforcement aren't slowed down when they come to the checkpoint. That is our promise to the public who planned ahead,' Dankers said. Although most people we spoke with are happy with easier air travel, they also were curious why they had to have their REAL ID in the first place. 'That's kind of what I want to know. Like what is the benefit to the REAL ID because they really haven't explained that to us,' said a traveler from California. For more on what other forms of ID are REAL ID compliant, click here.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
TSA Warns Travelers to Expect Possible Airport Delays
The deadline when passengers will need a REAL ID to travel is looming, and the TSA is warning that travelers could face delays at airports when it arrives on May 7, 2025. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers told Fox News Digital that about "81% of the public is ready for REAL ID enforcement." But that leaves 19% that isn't. Asked by Fox News Digital how this would affect travel times, Dankers said, "If you do the math, the reasonable response would be to arrive early." "The length of the delay travelers experience will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential, or another form of identification accepted by TSA," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Officials with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) "reminded the public that starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need to have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license, instruction permit or identification card or another acceptable form of ID to board a U.S. commercial aircraft," a TSA news release says. "Once enforcement begins, passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID-compliant and who do not have another acceptable form of photo identification can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint, if their identity cannot be verified," TSA noted. TSA has released details about traveling after May 7, noting, "If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles. A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification." There are alternatives, though. "Passengers traveling after this enforcement deadline should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices," TSA noted.
Fox News
18-04-2025
- Fox News
REAL ID looming deadline prompts TSA travel warning: 'Expect delays'
The fast-approaching deadline for REAL IDs has many Americans rushing to obtain the important new identification even as travel issues may lie ahead. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a press release reminding Americans of the May 7 deadline while also warning of delays. "Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," the release said. Air travelers at domestic airports will be required to present a REAL ID in order to fly. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers told Fox News Digital the agency estimates that "81% of the public is ready for REAL ID enforcement." "That potentially leaves 19% who are unprepared," Dankers said. When asked if the implementation of REAL IDs will impact travel times, Dankers said, "If you do the math, the reasonable response would be to arrive early." "The length of the delay travelers experience will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential, or another form of identification accepted by TSA," the spokesperson added. Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital he doesn't expect there will be "meaningful delays," but it will impact travel times. Leff says, "If there are additional identity verifications to go through, even calling over another TSA staff member to handle that takes time." "Take even an extra 10 seconds per passenger without REAL ID (or 10 seconds per passenger while the document checker verifies what kind of ID it is) and multiply that out across thousands of passengers per checkpoint per day at larger airports," said Leff. He continued, "that could become a meaningful bottleneck."
