Latest news with #MarkHowell
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
REAL I.D. enforcement at the Columbus Airport
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says they have not experienced many issues in the first week of enforcement. However, they do expect to see a spike very soon. Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson says the lack of issues is due to many Georgia residents already having a compliant I.D. . The Georgia Department of Drivers Services says licenses issued after 2012 are Real I.D. compliant. 'It's just a handful of folks that maybe are just moving to Georgia and haven't gotten their I.D's yet,' Howell says. Due to the size of the Columbus Airport, if someone's I.D. is not Real I.D. complaint it is communicated to that individual. This differs from bigger airports as those without a complaint identification will receive a red card with a QR code that shares all acceptable forms of I.D. No matter the size of the airport, Howell says once someone has been identified as non-compliant, they are then separated and subject to additional screenings. 'We've been recommending those folks that don't have their real I.D. or one of the other accepted forms to get to the airport a bit earlier than our usual two hours ahead of their departure time,' Howell shares. TSA says they expect to see an increase in delay time and those without a Real I.D. or other acceptable form of identification. 'The potential for that to happen grows when you have additional volume and a lot more additional infrequent travelers planned over the Memorial Day Weekend and those other holiday weekends in the Summer,' Howell explains. He recommends getting the Real I.D. sooner than later. 'The whole purpose behind it is really to raise security and it goes right in line with everything else we're doing at security checkpoints,' Howell says. 'We want to make sure the person that's presenting that I.D. is who they're supposed to be and that they're getting screened at the most state of the art technology that we've got available at security checkpoints.' Pro tips: Getting an Alabama STAR ID doesn't have to be a hassle | WRBL Alabama's Star ID to go into effect in May, according to ALEA Most airports are operating smoothly on the first day of the REAL ID requirement | WRBL Don't have a REAL ID yet? That could cause you travel headaches after May 7 | WRBL Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
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. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Do you have to have a REAL ID by May 7? What to know
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — It's something that has been talked about for years, but beginning Wednesday, air travelers will be required to show what's called a 'REAL ID' when going through TSA. This rule isn't just for major airports, but for small airports such as Sioux City as well. The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, based on findings of the 9/11 Commission that showed the TSA needed to raise the baseline for security on state-issued IDs. After being delayed several times, officials say they are committed to the enforcement coming on Wednesday. 'May 7 is only a deadline if you're traveling on May 7,' TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell said. 'We're calling it an enforcement date. So, really, your deadline for REAL ID is going to be the next time you're traveling or the next time you're going to visit a federal building that requires a REAL ID to enter.' The way to know if you have a REAL ID is to look at the top right corner of your license, and if you see a star, you're good to go. Story continues below Howell said the differences between a REAL ID and a legacy ID are different. 'The REAL ID has a number of additional security features on it, like holographic, photo inlays, things like that, that make it nearly impossible to replicate or counterfeit,' Howell said. Those without REAL IDs will face inconvenience and delays, which is why officials ask those travelers to get to the airport three hours early. 'There's a potential we're going to have to do a full identity verification, which can take some time,' Howell said. TSA officials report that so far, 81% of travelers either have the REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that travelers who don't have a REAL ID will be able to fly after the REAL ID deadline hits, but they will have to provide an additional form of identification, such as a passport. In the three Siouxland states, a REAL ID is distinguished by the star on the upper right of your ID. Sioux Gateway Airport told KCAU 9 that they do not anticipate big problems since they only have two flights per day. Officials at the airport said that they have already began watching for REAL IDs ahead of Wednesday's enforcement date. 'So, for the majority of the passengers that we have randomly checked, a lot of them do have the REAL ID,' Sioux Gateway Airport manager Alvin Lorenzo said. 'There probably was one or two that did not that we know of, but they've been reminded that they do need that REAL ID on their card.' Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was before members of Congress on Tuesday to set the stage for the ID rollout. Floyd Blvd. and 4th St. bridges to close over summer 'So, we will make sure that it is as seamless as possible,' Noem said. 'And the travelers will get to stay on their intended itinerary, but we are telling people that this law will be enforced and it will allow us to know individuals in the country who they are and that they're authorized to travel. Noem told a Congressional panel that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements. 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Business Journals
25-04-2025
- Business Journals
TSA to enforce Real ID checks, may cause airport delays
While Florida leads the nation in compliance with new federal ID standards, airport authorities are concerned about out-of-state passengers who may be caught off guard by the upcoming changes. Story Highlights TSA begins enforcing Real ID checks at airports on May 7. Florida has 99% Real ID compliance, but rates vary by state. Travelers without compliant IDs may experience delays at security checkpoints. Travelers could experience delays starting on May 7 as the Transportation Security Administration begins enforcing Real ID checks at airports. Florida has a 99% Real ID compliance rate, according to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. Those stats vary from state to state, and roughly 81% of travelers currently present an acceptable form of identification, according to TSA. However, TSA said it is preparing for delays as it has been alerted that many travelers rushing to comply are having trouble finding available appointments to get their state-issued IDs updated. 'If you don't have the Real ID, or a passport or another acceptable form of ID by May 7, then you're probably going to experience some delays at the checkpoint,' Mark Howell, regional spokesperson for TSA, told the Business Journal. 'I don't think there's going to be a kind of systemic issue with screening at the checkpoints, but the individuals [who] aren't prepared come the enforcement date may have some additional waits and screenings.' 'While we know we have a very good compliance rate here in Florida, we know we will have some passengers — especially those from other states — who may get stopped and delayed at the TSA checkpoint for Real ID non-compliance, and that creates a customer experience issue we try to avoid here,' said Tampa airport spokeswoman Emily Nipps. The Real ID Act was created in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission found it was too easy to obtain driver's licenses in the U.S. It wasn't until 2020 that all 50 states became compliant with their respective licensing requirements. Driver's licenses and ID cards are compliant if they have a star marking on one of the top corners. Howell said there have been several instances where people rushing to get a compliant ID fail to check what documentation they need to bring to their appointments and then must reschedule, which often is several weeks out. The looming deadline will 'raise the baseline' of identification security features to make it harder for fraudulent or stolen IDs to be used when people travel. Howell said there are still 'some bad actors' attempting to use fraudulent IDs to move around the country, which this new enforcement will help crack down on. 'We had someone who had a fraudulent ID a few months back that was actually somebody else's identification,' Howell said. 'The technology we had at the security checkpoint when they put that ID in didn't match the person standing in front of them. They called it in and found out that the person had an open warrant, and she was arrested.' Sign up for the Business Journal's free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news affecting Orlando. Download the free OBJ app for breaking news alerts on your phone.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Joplin Airport travelers need REAL ID by May 7 deadline
Two decades after the program first launched—the real ID deadline is almost here. May 7 is the date that requirement will be enforced. In Joplin, you'll need the upgraded identity card if you plan to fly out of the Joplin Regional Airport or for air travel anywhere in the US. It will also be required at federal courthouses and other federal facilities. Mark Howell, Regional TSA Spokesman, says it's important not to wait to get your real ID—since demand is growing as the deadline approaches. 'There's always a thing that will come up. You may not be a traveler—but something may come up and you need to travel. And you need to make sure you have an acceptable form of ID if you're planning to travel after the May 7th enforcement date,' said Howell. Earlier this year, the state estimated just 41 percent of Missourians have real ID identification. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
