Latest news with #LorieDankers
Yahoo
2 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
- Politics
- Yahoo
REAL ID deadline comes and goes – airports report business as usual
Despite fears of first-day chaos over the new REAL ID requirement, airports reported smooth sailing Wednesday, with no major disruptions tied to the rollout, according to security officials. "We didn't see long lines," one passenger arriving at South Carolina's Greeneville-Spartanburg Airport from Washington-Dulles told a local reporter. "It was a walk in the park." TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said in April that about 20% of the public still lacks REAL ID compliance. When asked whether this could affect travel times starting Wednesday, she said it's "reasonable" to expect travelers may need to arrive early. Do We Even Need This? Lawmakers Get Real About Real Id Mandate Starting Today "I am extremely concerned there will be long lines and a lot of confusion," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, added in comments to travel website The Points Guy ahead of the rollout. Meanwhile, Philadelphia International Airport urged passengers to arrive two-and-a-half hours early for domestic flights Wednesday. However, reporters at various airports across the country found that the delays some feared never came to fruition, and wait times were minimal. Airport and security officials confirmed their reports. Read On The Fox News App "We are pleased to share that the TSA lines are moving efficiently," Nashville International Airport said Wednesday. "Smooth operations this morning," Baltimore-Washington International Airport reported. "Smooth" operations were reported by airports and security officials alike. There was an increased presence of Homeland Security officials at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, but no complaints were reported to Fox News reporters on the ground there from passengers. Travelers on social media and in news reports shared stories of getting through airport security without a REAL ID, or its compliant equivalent such as a passport, which federal officials indicated would be possible with additional screening ahead of Wednesday's rollout. Several passengers without compliant identification were given a notice indicating their IDs were not REAL ID compliant, and they should expect delays the next time they travel if they don't have one. Flight Passengers Warn Of 'Real Id Apocalypse' While Others Acknowledge Americans Can Still Fly The federal government's REAL ID requirement is two decades in the making and has faced several delays over the years. The law stemmed from long-held concerns from federal officials about false identification, but gained momentum and was enacted following the 9/11 attacks. "REAL ID will keep us more secure. It gives us more information so that we know who is traveling on our federal transportation systems and our airlines," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday in a video from Washington-Reagan International Airport. "Thank you everybody for all of your cooperation, and we're looking to make America more secure in following our federal law."Original article source: REAL ID deadline comes and goes – airports report business as usual
Fox News
08-05-2025
- Fox News
REAL ID deadline comes and goes – airports report business as usual
Despite fears of first-day chaos over the new REAL ID requirement, airports reported smooth sailing Wednesday, with no major disruptions tied to the rollout, according to security officials. "We didn't see long lines," one passenger arriving at South Carolina's Greeneville-Spartanburg Airport from Washington-Dulles told a local reporter. "It was a walk in the park." TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said in April that about 20% of the public still lacks REAL ID compliance. When asked whether this could affect travel times starting Wednesday, she said it's "reasonable" to expect travelers may need to arrive early. "I am extremely concerned there will be long lines and a lot of confusion," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, added in comments to travel website The Points Guy ahead of the rollout. Meanwhile, Philadelphia International Airport urged passengers to arrive two-and-a-half hours early for domestic flights Wednesday. However, reporters at various airports across the country found that the delays some feared never came to fruition, and wait times were minimal. Airport and security officials confirmed their reports. "We are pleased to share that the TSA lines are moving efficiently," Nashville International Airport said Wednesday. "Smooth operations this morning," Baltimore-Washington International Airport reported. "Smooth" operations were reported by airports and security officials alike. There was an increased presence of Homeland Security officials at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, but no complaints were reported to Fox News reporters on the ground there from passengers. Travelers on social media and in news reports shared stories of getting through airport security without a REAL ID, or its compliant equivalent such as a passport, which federal officials indicated would be possible with additional screening ahead of Wednesday's rollout. Several passengers without compliant identification were given a notice indicating their IDs were not REAL ID compliant, and they should expect delays the next time they travel if they don't have one. The federal government's REAL ID requirement is two decades in the making and has faced several delays over the years. The law stemmed from long-held concerns from federal officials about false identification, but gained momentum and was enacted following the 9/11 attacks. "REAL ID will keep us more secure. It gives us more information so that we know who is traveling on our federal transportation systems and our airlines," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday in a video from Washington-Reagan International Airport. "Thank you everybody for all of your cooperation, and we're looking to make America more secure in following our federal law."
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
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ready, set, REAL ID is a go starting today
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 Wednesday's the day, Real ID is being enforced at airports across the country. Our crews at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) were there as the first passengers went through TSA. Agents are not turning people away, but giving them stern directions to have the ID next time. 51-thousand people will travel through SEA security on Wednesday, with around 9,700 of them expected to not have a Real ID or the Washington equivalent, 'Enhanced Driver's License'. TSA Spokesperson Lorie Dankers tells KIRO 7, if you don't have the Real ID, there will be delays. 'They can expect to be delayed, they can expect additional screening, and if they can't verify, they risk being turned away from the checkpoint,' Dankers said. But TSA isn't quite turning anyone away yet. KIRO 7 watched the agents handing out little purple cards to anyone without a Real ID. They let agents know who needs extra screening. For people like Doug Thompson, it wasn't for lack of trying when it comes to following the rules. 'I have paperwork that says I have an Enhanced License. I went to the DOL, got everything done, but I haven't received my new license in the mail yet,' Thompson said. He tells us he tried to get an appointment sooner, but the next appointment wasn't until late July. 'I got there before the door opened, and there were 100 people in line in front of me. They said it's been this way for four months,' Thompson said. Don't worry, he did make it through security, just with extra screening. We found that most people followed the new requirements. 'I got it about two years ago, just went online and did it,' passenger David Lautermilch said. Or at least prepared accordingly, like Francis Mahurin. 'I've got my passport and that's all I need, I don't have my Real ID, I have my passport until '28, until then I'll use that,' Mahurin said. TSA says a regular license is no longer acceptable, but many other forms of ID are.
