“We knew it was going to be complex to implement, but we weren’t going to kick the can down the road anymore. It’s been 20 years. We are doing this.” – TSA
Beginning May 7, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification may face extra screenings, potential delays, and even denial at TSA checkpoints, including TSA PreCheck lanes, a senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official told Forbes. “Expect additional screenings,” the official warned, noting 80% of PreCheck members carry passports.
“We are used to dealing with people who lose their wallets and IDs,” the official said. “We have ways to vet passengers and make sure we’re satisfied the person standing in front of us is the person they say they are.”
The enforcement will vary by airport, with smaller locations potentially experiencing longer lines. “We don’t have the option to set up a separate lane for those without a REAL ID,” the official added. Travelers without proper ID on round-trip tickets could be cleared to depart but not return.
“We knew it was going to be complex to implement,” the official said. “But we weren’t going to kick the can down the road anymore. It’s been 20 years. We are doing this.”