Passports for internal travel?????

[grumpyduck]

Did I just read correctly? If you live in one of nine states, including Oklahoma, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Washington, you will need a passport because these states' driver ID process doth not please TSA. Apparently it starts soon.

The clip is from Esquire.

[bobbieinok]

1. I'm old enuff to remember our national outrage rhat Soviets needed passes to travel town to town!!

[BannonsLiver]

69. That is not this

Oklahoma is in this situation because of its moronic governor and legislature who have steadfastly refused to adopt the real id like most other states have. It’s a situation entirely of their own making.

[Yonnie3]

2. Some states have not met standards in the REAL ID Act for issuing driver licenses.

I believe the requirement has been delayed several times. My state, Virginia was on a similar list, a while back. It has been more than 12 years since the act became law.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act has some info.

[Ms. Toad]

3. You will need an alternative ID if you want to travel by plane or other travel that requires an ID

E.g. by plane. It looks as if all states are either compliant OR on extension through October 2018

Starting January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver's license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, click here. Passengers with driver's licenses issued by a state that is compliant with REAL ID (or a state that has been issued an extension) will still be able to use their driver's licenses or identification cards.

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

[brush]

51. Anyone know if Nevada and Oklahoma have the real IDs?

[KatyaR]

59. I don't know about Nevada, but Oklahoma does not.

I think our extension runs out in late 2018, but I'm not sure of that.

[MineralMan]

4. Yup. No "real" ID, no flying.

That's why my wife and renewed or passports last October. Minnesota just announced that it won't be ready to issue qualifying licences until October, 2018. We'll be using passports from here on out.

Note: If you live in such a state, don't wait until the last minute to get a passport. There's going to be a rush.

Also Real ID Will be needs to enter many federal building, including Social Security offices.

[Hortensis]

52. Ouch, thanks. I forgot about this long ago, and

that last must never have sunk in.

Georgia's voting system was clearly designed for ease of tampering and fixing the machines has been "too expensive" for 12 years, but just checked and our ID cards are in order.

[JDC]

5. New Hampshire has the same issue

It has to do with the Driver's Licence type called REAL ID. There was a National law passed requiring states to update their IDs. Some states chose not to - I suspect because they had not budgeted for it. I think New Hampshire fixed it moving forward. If you want to fly, you need the proper approved ID. If you don't have a DL that is approved, you'll need a passport. Bummer.

[grumpyduck]

6. Okay, thanks all for bringing up the REAL ID law

Guess I missed it a few years ago.

Of course, I wasn't hanging around DU back then.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. And in states that are Real ID compliant, often getting a driver's license renewal

is a real nightmare.

I hear horror stories all the time here in New Mexico. A former mayor of Santa Fe couldn't get the DMV to issue him a license, not even the non real ID one because somehow he didn't have all 6,782 documents required. And this was even though the people at the DMV recognized him and knew perfectly well who he is.

I renewed my license about three weeks before the new rules came into effect. Maybe by 2020 they'll have it figured out. Meanwhile, I do have a valid passport which I intend to renew in the future until I'm so senile I don't know my own name.

[CurtEastPoint]

12. My last renewal in GA for 'Real ID'... no big deal...

1. Identity Document - An original or certified document to prove WHO YOU ARE such as an original or certified Birth Certificate, US Passport, Certificate of Naturalizaion, I-551, etc.

2. Your Social Security Card (e.g. Social Security card, military discharge papers, paystub, etc.)

3. Two Documents showing Georgia residency (e.g. utility bill, phone bill).

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. Apparently here in New Mexico the people at the DMV are being

very hard-assed about what is and isn't allowable.

One problem about the documents showing residency is that if someone does all of their bill paying on line, they don't get something mailed to their address. A real problem with younger people. Or, if a young person still lives at home, they aren't getting bills mailed to them. So it's a pretty stupid system.

On the other hand, aren't we all grateful to know we can buy guns without a background check?

Oh, and I will NEVER use my Social Security card as ID. In fact, my SS card states very clearly that it is not to be used for identification. I got that card in 1964, and some time in the years afterwards that little notice disappeared. It should not have. The SS card is strictly for Social Security, not for anything else.

I have on occasion lived in a state or attended a University that wanted to use the SS number as their ID. No. No way. Never. They get to issue me some other number.

Anyway, New Mexico seems to make it exceptionally difficult to renew a driver's license, whether one that is Real ID compliant or one that simply gives permission to legally drive a car. As I mentioned above, it's not always feasible to get a whole lot of stupid documentation that was never needed before. And it's not as though a lot of hijackers are booking flights and then commandeering them. Sort of like maybe one in 10 billion votes cast is done fraudulently. So there is zero need for a lot of proof of identity at a polling place.

But, it's still awfully easy to buy a gun. Doesn't that make us all feel warm and fuzzy?

We are due for another school shooting this coming week. If I were a whole lot more cynical than I already am, I'd start a pool of some kind. Pick the state, pick the city or county in that state. And another pool for number killed, number wounded. Actually, I am that cynical I just don't know how to set up such a pool.

[SonofDonald]

30. In the military (USCG) in 1977

They used your SS number as your serial number, they made us stencil it on everything including our Sea Bags.

So every time you traveled your SS number was right out there in the open on your bag along with your name.

I don't know if they still do this although I'm sure they do, I'd hope they don't require you to stencil it on everything still.

I've been asked to supply my SS number many times over the years by entities that have no need to know it and I don't give it up willingly.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

37. I hope that the military has moved beyond that.

[csziggy]

20. Unless you are woman who when married, changed your name

Then you also have to show marriage certificate. If you were divorced or your husband died and you remarried, then you have to show the documentation for each of those events.

And of course, each of those documents have to be obtained and the costs add up pretty quickly for those who have had eventful lives.

Even though I had all the correct documentation - birth certificate, Social Security Card, and proof of residency, I was almost refused my Real ID Florida Driver's License. The idiot twenty something clerk had never seen a SS card like mine - it is the original obtained by my parents at the same time they applied for SS for all four of their children in the 1950s. I still have the original form from which the card was detached.

If there had not been an older clerk nearby I would have had a problem, because some little twit of a clerk was ignorant and too stupid to admit it.

[kcr]

22. Yep. Divorced and remarried and then moved to another state.

Had to get a copy of the original marriage license from the first marriage because my old license still had my old married name on it.
They couldn't read it so I had to contact the state and get them to reprint it with a letter stating it was a certified copy. Frigging nightmare.

[csziggy]

23. Right now I am wondering if I need a copy of my marriage certificate

To apply for my passport. I haven't changed my name, but I might need it to prove the relationship to my husband, who I list as spouse (non-gender specific form I prefer) on my passport application.

I am so glad I decided to not change my name when I married, even though the first few years were annoying. Everyone kept trying to use Mrs. (SpouseLast). They still do, but not as often.

To solve the passport issue, I just realized I can turn it in the application at the local Clerk of the Court office. If the marriage certificate is needed, I can get a copy right there!

[kcr]

24. Not sure, but the passport application isn't as ridiculous as far as the documents required.

Which seems totally backwards.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

43. If you never changed your name, your marital status is

irrelevant.

You started life as Baby Girl Whatsername, and even though you married Mr. Man, you remained Girl Whatsername.

As someone who married, never changed her name, had two kids who had their father's surname, I (other than mildly annoying things like someone who kept on wanting to know what my "maiden name" was) have never had a problem.

Back when I was first married and had not assumed my husband's surname, some people expressed surprised and asked what we'd do when there were children. I always pointed out that the divorce rate in this country was so high, and so many people married a second time, that in many families someone had a different last name. Big deal.

When I took my kids to the doctor, they never cared so long as I had the correct insurance information. The schools never cared.

It often happened that my sons' friends would call me Ms Smith (their surname) rather than Ms Jones (my surname) but that never bothered me. They were being appropriately polite, and I didn't need to go into the different surname thing. Eventually they all learned I had a different last name, but it was never a big deal.

Oh, and I always joked that I would happily sign a check with my first name and my husband's last name on it, and come to think of it, I did that more than once. I'd sign Sally Smith Jones and no bank ever refused the check.

I want to emphasize that these incidents were always trivial, especially compared to the hassles women go through if they did change their name and don't have good documentation. Even worse, something very common here in New Mexico, is people who have one name on their birth certificate, but have always gone by a slightly different name. Now the DMV cares a great deal about those differences. Sigh.

[MineralMan]

67. I sometimes get mail addressed to {myfirstname} {wife'slastname}

It's funny. She didn't change her name when we married. Why should she. It's her name, after all. Never has it been a problem.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

68. That's amusing.

My ex never got mail addressed to him that way. Darn.

[csziggy]

72. That's why I am not too worried about the marriage certificate

Plus, the place where we will submit our applications is at the county clerk's office so if I do need the certificate I can order a copy right there!

I never planned on kids and it was certain by the time I married that there would be none. My little sister, who did have kids, didn't change her name. I got the impression that sometimes her children would have preferred that simple last name over the harder to spell surname of her husband, but they were proud of their Dad and all use his name now.

I'm lucky - may parents selected nice, simple names for me. While my middle name has several different nicknames, my first really does not so I never had variations to worry about. The biggest problem was to get people to put the "E" on the end of the first name and not remove it when I tell them my middle initial is "E"!

[RobinA]

70. The Way Things Are

nowadays, I can't imagine why anyone would change their name. Especially if they aren't 18. Once you get going in life,m the documentation is getting more difficult by the year.

[csziggy]

73. Especially how much people move around today

I was lucky - when I needed copies of my birth certificate, my mother was (and is) still in the county of my birth and could get them for me. I still live in the county where I was married so that is no problem.

But I know people who are not even certain exactly where they were born. If they have to get new birth certificates, they will have to research where to get a copy!

[OhNo-Really]

36. yes true, and theybwere'nt going to allow my laminated original birth certification

no lamination.

I looked at the young man and said " honey, it wasn't laminated it would have turned ro dust. Im old

And it costs $25 or more to get a birth certificat now that the states feds privatized production. Poor people can' afford $25.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

38. I honestly don't understand why any woman in the past 40 years or so

has changed her name at marriage.

I didn't. I got married in 1980. Trust me, not changing your name is vastly easier. Once, and only once in some 25 years of marriage (I'm since divorced) was having a different surname from my husband was an issue.

I am honestly astonished that young women today still change their names. Why?

[nocalflea]

53. Oh Poindexter !

You know the answer.

Enculturation.

Disney, Bridezilla,etc.
I'm amazed whenever I tune into a show that has been touted to feature strong female characters (Innovative !) and I find how damn conventional they are. They are all under the spell.

And thank you for having no part of it, role model.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

55. I got married in1980.

Despite my name, I am a woman.

I am constantly surprised that women much younger than I am fall into the changing their name trap. A few years back a niece of mine was getting married and I casually asked her if she was planning to change her name. She said, "Of course! It's so much easier!" I bit my tongue, because I do sincerely believe that changing your name is a personal choice.

But here's my story about the one and only time in 25 years that having different last names caused a problem.
We'd gone out to eat, and my husband left his credit card behind in the restaurant. When he realized this, he called the restaurant and yes, the had the credit card. "Can my wife pick it up?" he asked. He worked some 45 minutes away. I was a stay at home spouse and was readily able to go to the restaurant. "Of course" they replied.

My husband called me and I went to the restaurant to pick up his credit card. They of course wanted ID. I pulled out my driver's license. But it had my name, Stephanie Smith, and he was Robert Romero. Uh oh. The person at the restaurant understandably did not want to give me his card. I didn't blame them. But luckily, I had my checkbook with me. A joint account. It had his name, my name, and our address, which matched the one on my driver's license. When I showed it to the restaurant person, she was happy to let me have my husband's credit card.

The worst that might have happened, had I not had the checkbook with me, was that my husband would have had to stop by the restaurant that night to get his credit card.

And this is the very worst thing that happened in 25 years of marriage in which I kept my original name.

Oh, and my niece? She was divorced within four years and went through the nonsense of changing her name back.

I will again assert that if you (a young woman) wants to change your name, then do so. Just make sure you document it. Sigh. I'm old enough that I know how easy it used to be. It really should still be that way, especially considering that the default is still that a woman change her last name when she gets married.

I am NOT intending to debate whether that name change should occur. I'm talking about the fact that changing your name can lead to stupid problems in the future.

[nocalflea]

60. I agree it's a personal decision.

I admire your willingness to follow your own path because keeping your maiden name is an example of what's possible, not what's expected.

You chose not to taken your husband's surname and nothing evil befell you. Amazing.

[The_jackalope]

61. I've been married 5 times since 1970. None of my wives changed their name.

Turned out to be a good idea for all of them

[Exotica]

62. lololol

[pangaia]

74. HA HA ! Good one. Same with my 2 wives.. One at a time, of course..

[csziggy]

65. I know - I married in 1977 and it was a battle

Our accountant at the time claimed the IRS would not accept a woman as head of household even if she had the primary income. So he switched our names and CHANGED mine - but did not switch our SS#s. So the IRS wrote about the incorrect SS#s. That part was easy.

Then I got a letter from the SS Administration - "Why did you not notify us of your name change?" Well, I didn't because it didn't change!

Then we got audited four years in a row. I think it was revenge for my temerity in wanting to be head of household.

The only time it was a real concern was when I was taken to the ER with a concussion. They were interviewing me for their records and got all bent out of shape when I insisted my surname was different than my husband's. That almost got me admitted to the hospital for observation, while the concussion was not all that bad - it was my worst of four concussions, but still.

I tell every young woman to NOT change their names. Most don't listen, but I try.

[sarah FAILIN]

32. It can be a problem showing residency for some

We tried to gather up what my daughter needed recently and are going to have to get a mailbox put up to prove residency. We prefer the PO Box for security because so.eonw.
We can get her another voter registration card mailed to her I think, but my kids don't have utility bills or property tax to pay so they can't use something like that.. When her next income taxes are done, she can use the home address. It is not as easy as it sounds to get this

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

39. I don't think a PO Box will show an actual address. It will only show the PO Box

and that's not a home address. You might want to have her subscribe to a magazine or two. Kids, especially those still living at home or away at college, have not yet established what the DMV wants. It sucks.

[sarah FAILIN]

58. We have to actually install a mail receptacle at our home first.

Our last one was a Rubbermaid and was burned down when the neighborhood punks couldn't beat it flat like the others on our road. We have not received mail here at our home in 10 years. Everything such as her car registration is sent to the PO Box so we have to handle the mail receptacle first, then get something sent here.

The list of what is acceptable proof of residency is short. She has plenty of mail that comes to her, but nothing on the list and is no longer a student. Here is the list

"Applicants must verify their address of principal residence by providing any two of the following documents:
Voter Registration Card
Residential Mortgage ContractCurrent Lease or Rental agreement for housing
Proof of payment of residential property tax (Homestead)
Previous year tax returns bearing applicants address
Vehicle registration bearing applicants name and address
Utility bill (Water, Gas, or Electric) less than 90 days old
Any State or Federal Court documents indicating residence address
School enrollment documentation
Defense Department Form 214 (Report of Separation)
Sex offender registration documents
Current Homeowners insurance policy with name and address
Social Security benefits statements/summary mailed to physical address
U.S. or State Government check or other document mailed to applicants physical address
Military Orders documenting duty station and place of residence.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

66. And there are lots of people in her shoes.

Maybe draw up a rental agreement with her.

[Demsrule86]

78. If you are a woman who has taken a married name, it is much more difficult and requires a marriage

certificate...I was told by the State of Ohio, I need to change all my ID to include my middle name. I had taken my maiden name as my middle name when I married. I called the governors office and because of the fit I pitched, Kasich changed it to allow maiden names to be included...I am now a hyphen...so if you need one...bring divorce papers as well as marriage certificates.

[GulfCoast66]

64. So you have no personal experience just what others say?

I agree it can be a pain is the ass...if you choose not to read or follow the instructions.

You are plainly told what types of documents count as official ID and how many you need to bring with you. If I recall correctly it was 3 including a bill addressed to your address in your name.

I followed the instructions and was in and out in less than 20 minutes.

[Major Nikon]

8. The "deadline" keeps getting pushed back

As of now there's no enforcement till Oct 2020, and there's good reason to believe it will never happen.

You can freely travel without any ID whatsoever today, and almost certainly for the foreseeable future. Freedom of Movement is a basic human right guaranteed by UN treaties, the US Constitution and various state constitutions. Any enforcement would undoubtedly result in numerous challenges on a number of fronts that the government would likely lose. As of right now it's simply a bluff generated by a poorly drafted law that is unlikely to pass muster.

[AJT]

33. You need a drivers license or passport to get on a plane.

[Major Nikon]

34. Not according to the TSA

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/04/09/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-can-you-fly-without-id

The TSA doesn't readily offer this information at their locations, but the method exists for a couple of different reasons. One is that there will always be occasions when people lose their IDs while traveling. The other is if they actually ever did make a hard ID requirement, they would almost certainly face serious legal challenges from the ACLU, various states, and other folks from which they probably wouldn't be able to withstand.

[Demsrule86]

79. I saw signs at Ohio and Georgia about this when I traveled in August of last year. You

need an ID with a star on it (license) or a passport.

[TomSlick]

9. Does anyone know if the passport card will suffice?

I've asked TSA supervisors at various airports and no one knows.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

18. It should.

You needed exactly the same documentation to get it as you needed for the regular passport. I don't fully understand why it has such limited use, although the explanation I'm most often given about no room for visa or entry stamps makes sense.

I have used my passport card to and from Mexico and in the Caribbean, exactly where it's intended to be used.

[NutmegYankee]

25. Yes. I've used it as my ID at the TSA checkpoint.

It's not intended for air travel outside the USA, but it's still a valid ID for domestic flights.

[PJMcK]

10. A word of advice from my many travel experiences

Whenever I fly, I use my passport as my ID. It's the best ID I've got and the TSA nearly always waves me through when I present it.

It also helps to dress politely, act respectfully and not try to carry-on the contents of your storage shed.

[Major Nikon]

13. Good advice, but...

I think the underlying problem is that we have these restrictions to begin with. When a few terrorists with a relatively small investment can create potentially trillions of dollars in impacts and serious limitations on personal liberty, it's not hard to understand how we are utterly losing the so-called "War on Terror".

[PJMcK]

14. We lost that war when we declared it

The minute that the W administration over-reacted to the 9/11 terror attacks, we abdicated a leadership role. We've spent tremendous amounts of treasure on false security and we've sacrificed our civil liberties and safety for a false security.

Regardless, my earlier point was simply about one's personal travel experiences in light of the new ID requirements. I live in NY and our drivers' licenses meet the new requirements. We actually have an enhanced license that can be used to travel in and out of Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries in lieu of a passport.

When you encounter the TSA during your travels, the better your ID and personal behavior, the better they will treat you.

[Major Nikon]

16. There's all sorts of tricks to get through security efficiently

It's certainly worth pointing out those that have the most benefit. I just took the intent of the OP was to question why we have the requirement to begin with.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. The trick I mostly use for airport security

is to purchase a first class ticket. It automatically gets me into that shorter line, which is nice. I have no idea how much my age (69) helps.

I was an airline ticket agent at Washington National Airport (DCA) for ten years, starting in 1969, before any security measures whatsoever, and I know that everything since 9/11 is pure theater. And I rarely fly, although, as noted above, I purchase a first class ticket if I do. Hint: if you buy the ticket three or four months ahead of time, you can probably get a decent fare. No, it won't be as cheap as the cheapest possible coach ticket, but it might well be a price you're willing to pay. I am.

Side note: the airlines have trained most passengers to go for the cheapest possible fare, even if it means they fly between Baltimore and New York City with stops in Cincinnati and Albany. Crazy.

The last time I flew coach, about five years ago, I had the stupendous good fortune that when I was in the gate area, right before boarding, the gate agent announced they had one first class seat available for fifty dollars. Luckily I was very close to the podium, and the agent had barely finished the announcement when I popped up and said, "I'll take that seat."

I have flown all of twice since then. I will probably be flying to the east coast this summer (my plans are still in flux) and if I do, trust me, it will be in first class.

I despise the TSA.

[Major Nikon]

21. TSA has pre-check available for an extra expense

You have to apply, pay extra, and get fingerprinted. It only works in some locations and in some instances like Dulles, it can take longer to get through the pre-check line.

If you want to avoid TSA altogether, just fly military transport, or charter your own jet. That's what folks in the Trump administration do. Personally I own and operate my own airliner, so I don't have to worry about such things.

[pangaia]

26. Ive had tsa pre oir a few years, was never finger printed.

You pay a fee with the application. Thats it

[Major Nikon]

27. Just got mine renewed last year

They had a scanner that took digital fingerprints. I have no idea if the requirement is universal or how long it's been going on.

[pangaia]

29. Humm...

I did have a retina scan for my GLOBAL ENTRY . Plus an interview.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

40. For me the extra expense is the cost of the first class ticket.

I am not willing to surrender a lot of personal information to them.

Some years back I used to joke that my goal in life was to be rich enough to be able to fly first class all the time. Then, once the bullshit with the TSA came in to place, I (not joking any more) say that my goal in life is to be able to charter a plane when I want to go somewhere. That won't happen, so I instead limit my flying. I drive a lot. I even take Amtrak, which can be quite nice. Several years ago I took the train from New Mexico to Portland, OR, and it was a totally delightful trip.

[Major Nikon]

44. First class doesn't get you through the security line any faster

It usually gets you through the ticket lane and the boarding gate faster.

I fly for private and charter outfits part time. Unless you just have money to burn I just don't see the attraction. Even if I had money to burn I don't think it's worth the expense which is many times higher than first class. I'd rather fly my own Stearman and pick the bugs out of my teeth.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

46. My, admittedly very limited, experience has been that it does.

I apparently automatically get into that line bypass thing that you can otherwise pay money and give up your privacy for. It is so nice to go to that shorter line, to leave my shoes on, to not have to open my carry-on bag.

And then I get to sit in the relative comfort of first class, have a drink or four on the flight.

Several years ago I was waiting to board a flight when the gate agent said there was a first class seat available for the low, low price of fifty dollars. I jumped on it. Luckily I was sitting right in front of the gate podium, although I think no one else was actually jumping to grab the seat.

The agent credited back the $25 I'd paid to check my suitcase. On board there was a sort of meal, a grilled cheese sandwich which was actually quite nice as I happen to love grilled cheese. I managed to have four gin and tonics on the flight from Portland to Los Angeles, which pretty much made up for the upgrade charge I'd paid.

I have never flown on a charter or a private jet, but I would certainly love the opportunity. Meanwhile, in the land of the great unwashed, I'll settle for flying first class when I have the chance.

Oh, and many years ago I was an airline employee and not only flew for free (yes, really for free) but almost always was boarded in first class. Most of the time our passes were specified for first class, and often even when they weren't we were put up front anyway. Especially when flying out of my own airport, DCA. One time I was flying to Tucson with a connection in Chicago. In Chicago, when I was given my boarding pass it was for a coach seat. I sighed inwardly but started down the jetway. After all, I was flying for free or close to it. Behind me I heard someone say, "Wait! That's a non rev? Give her this boarding pass instead." and I was then handed a first class boarding pass. Nice. That may make me sound spoiled, but trust me, I appreciated it. Back then it was constantly stressed to us employees that flying for free (or close to it) was a privilege that could easily be revoked and we'd better appreciate it. Trust me, I did.

So I choose to purchase a first class seat when I fly for a bunch of reasons. I don't fly very often, which makes it a bit more possible to afford it. I also do it in a tribute to the past.

[Thekaspervote]

45. I love the train

Just don’t always have that kind of time

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

47. Oh, yes!

Several years ago I took the train from Lamy, NM (just south of Santa Fe where I live) to Portland, OR. I booked a sleeper car and it was the best trip ever. I arrived in Portland two days after I left New Mexico, quite rested and happy to start the Oregon part of that trip.

Right now I have a son living just outside of Washington, DC, and I plan to visit him this summer. I'm thinking of taking the train again. One part of me is practical and says that I can fly more cheaply and get there more quickly, and another part says "Oh, go for it! Take the train. Take three days. Enjoy the journey!" I am fortunate in that I am retired and while money matters, time doesn't. Still not sure what I'll do, but that train trip to Portland was so fantastic that I need to do it again, even if it is in the other direction.

[pangaia]

28. You buy a first calss ticket? Are u kidding?

Just get TSA-pre... there is a small application fee. I wizz through all the time. I fly a lot. Keep your shoes a d belt on and walk by almist everybody.

I also have GLOBAL ENTRY, which is a godsend when returning to the USA from international trips. I bypass hundreds of people.. usually takes about 1 minute.

[herding cats]

31. This is what I do.

They pass me through with no bother. The first time I wasn’t sure what to expect and remember being surprised when I bypassed all the checks. A

[Major Nikon]

41. I have it also and I'm not sure most would find it of much use

I most often fly out of DFW and there's rarely much of a line to get through TSA as there's numerous locations. A 5 min wait is pretty typical even for non-precheck. At Dulles, the only pre-check location is in the middle of the airport and you generally have to walk a good distance to get to it depending on where you are coming from. I usually find it much faster to simply take off my shoes and belt and go through the regular line. So the two airports I travel most to and from it isn't of much use most of the time. It's nice at New York area airports and a few others. Some locations don't offer it and even with those that do they sometimes close it for unknown reasons which has happened a few times.

If you go the Global Entry option, the cost works out to $20 per year and the closest location for me to apply is about a 1 hour round trip. I can't really see the advantage for an occasional traveler, unless maybe JFK is your home airport.

[pangaia]

75. I've only flown out of DFW 2x and yeah, also remember seeing short

lines at security, haven't flown OUT of Dulles since. jeeze.. maybe.. 1995. :&gt )

As for GLOBAL ENTRY, not sure what you mean by $20/year cost? You mean if you have it for say, 10 years? something like that? I think it cost me something like $200.?? I forget..

I had to drive almost 2 hours each way for my appt., but for me, as I travel international numerous times/year, it is a great thing. When I return to the USA , the port of entry can be any number of places, SEA, ORD, JFK, EWR, SFO, LAX... the GLOBAL Entry has always been a lifesaver.

Safe travels..

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

48. I'm not willing to tell them all about myself.

I don't travel enough to use Global Entry. I haven't flown outside of this country since 2001. I've actually flown about four or five times since 9/11, and so for me paying for a first class ticket makes sense. Plus, I'm not crammed like a **&%^ sardine in a coach seat. And I'm all of 5'2", although I'll admit to not being as thin as I'd like to be.

Actually, the last time I flew was in November, 2015, from ABQ to FLL to take a cruise. I bought a first class ticket. And even though I got what I considered a reasonable rate for that ticket, it was more than the cheapest coach fare would have been. But I got the pre thing. And I wasn't crammed into a middle seat. Plus I got a couple of drinks and meals.

I will once again state that the airlines have done a very good job of convincing a good 90 percent of the travelling public to go for the cheapest fare possible, no matter how many stops, no matter how inconvenient the timing. Me? I won't take a 5am flight. I won't change planes three times to get from Phoenix to Seattle. I will happily pay a bit of a premium for some comfort.

Actually, I hope that everyone reading this is convinced I'm a nutcase and never, ever, books a first class seat. Because that way I'll still be able to get a decent bargain.

[RobinA]

71. I Used To Feel

as you do about the personal information. My goal was to die without the government getting my fingerprints. I figured I might have to murder somebody someday. But then I waited in a customs line for 90 minutes upon returning to Philadelphia from Scotland. With my ride waiting outside whom I couldn't text, because if you use your cell phone in the customs area they send you to Guantanamo. So that ended my personal information objection. If I have to murder someone I'll just wear gloves.

[pangaia]

82. Plus, "they" have all that info anyway. LOL...

[pangaia]

80. Hope my previous reply didn't sound to.. um.. snooty. I CAN be snooty. LOL

I do fly a lot.. domestically and internationally...

Maybe 10-12 times in the US and a few less outside the US, which also requires flying IN the US from Rochester, NY to.. wherever.

Just a couple observations,
--1st class seats cost a LOT more than coach, even the. 'extra space' coach seats. Do you know about those? I can not afford 1st class OR Business, although I have flown Business international a few times at somebody else's expense. And of course on my next flight to.. Tokyo, say, "even extended coach" feels MORE like the infamous cattle car. BUT, on any flight more than say 2 hours I get the extra room seats. DELTA COMFORT, etc etc. and ALWAYS an aisle.. Bulkhead seats can work also..depends....It is considerably better than the jam 'em in' seats.

Just a quick search came up with this- without any of my usual extra work to get something a little cheaper...
ROC-FLL round trip- COACH $343 --- 1st Class $737- and only the longer flight is "1st class"
ROC- ICN(Seoul)-Round trip-- Premium Economy - $1,596 1st Class $18,530. ooppssie

--I NEVER end up in a middle seat, so if you book far enough in advance, you shouldn't either. BTW, if you book on say EXPEDIA, and they don;t let you choose a seat, just call the airline... IN FACT, always better to book through the airline.
You could also check www.seatguru.com to help you find the better/worse seats, well in coach anyway... Of course not so useful on short flights.


--As for those 3-4 stop flights.. I seriously doubt ANYBODY does that, well maybe a few. But when you search Expedia or Kayak or wherever, they always show up first because they are the cheapest... "23 hours from ROC to FLL, ---with stops in PHL, BOS and DTW"




But, hey. to each her own. I fly enough to know somewhat how to use the system, as crappy as it is, and getting worse...

Speaking of crappy. I have to meet a friend arriving from Japan on March 30 who does not speak English and is bringing a big expensive musical instrument with her. SO I want to meet her to help her. Last week I booked a RT from SYR to ORD (her port of entry from Narita). I MUST arrive in Chicago a couple hours BEFORE she does and must come back with her from ORD to SYR. same day, no Sat overnight.. $850 smackers!!!!!!!!!

Good night---


Happy flying..

[Skittles]

54. this is what I do and how I behave

no problems

[lithiumbomb]

11. It's a Real ID requirement

These states do not have driver's licenses that meet RealID requirements. You can fly domestically on a passport card. I got a passport card when I renewed my passport. My my GA driver's license is nearly 10 years old with a very very old picture, and it was becoming harder to fly domestically with that alone. So yes you can fly domestically on the passport card and it makes a handy second official government ID.

You can NOT fly internationally on the passport card. You can use it as an official ID (and therefore fly domestically), You can use it for cruises in the Caribbean, and you can use it to drive across the border with Canada. If you plan to fly internationally, you need a real passport.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

49. The passport card is wonderful.

Nearly three years ago when I last renewed my passport I also got the passport card. I've used it to cross the border into Mexico, and when I took a Caribbean cruise.

Haven't used it to go go Canada, but here's a Canada crossing story anyway. In 2008 I was on a driving trip from Kansas, where I then lived, to the east coast. At one point I drove through northern New York State and crossed in to Canada at the Thousand Islands Bridge. We (my sister was with me) spent several hours in Canada, mainly in Brockville. Both going in to Canada and coming back in to the United States the customs officials on both sides were astonished to see my Kansas license plates. I assured them that it was the nearest border crossing I could find.

[icymist]

15. Washington State has enhanced driver's licenses. It's the standard license which won't work.

Passport to fly domestically? What Washington residents need to know

2. What do I need to get on a domestic flight in 2018 and 2019?
Again, just your driver’s license, either standard or enhanced.

3. When do rules change?
Enforcement for the new law starts in 2020, according to the Washington State Department of Licensing.

After enforcement starts in 2020, the state's standard licenses will not be accepted by TSA.

However, TSA will accept Washington’s enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL). Many residents in state already have these.

http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/passport-to-fly-domestically-what-washington-residents-need-to-know/626678277

[Thekaspervote]

42. TSA does vary their protocol

I fly at least 5-7 times a year.

I always carry my passport, but just present my license and have never been asked for a PP

I always get a precheck, never paid extra for it. My profession requires my finger prints, I have no idea if they know that

If you are a FF it does make a difference.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

50. Help me out here. What is PP and FF?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

56. A guess: PassPort, Frequent Flyer. nt

[Orange Free State]

76. Thank goodness it means PassPort

Cause I am NOT letting TSA examine my PP.

[raven mad]

57. I rarely leave here -

if I do, it's by dogsled or snowmachine.............

[heaven05]

63. well

Checkpoints and shouts of, SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS!!!!! Coming to your neighborhood soon, expecially the 'urban' neighborhoods.

[Demsrule86]

77. Yes I saw the airport notifications for it. This is because those states refused to do the new

driver licenses which have stars on them...and require way more documentation...it was begun during the Bush years.

[yallerdawg]

81. Just to clarify:

Real ID does NOT apply to the following:

• Entering Federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification

• Voting or registering to vote

• Applying for or receiving Federal benefits

• Being licensed by a state to drive

• Accessing Health or life preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant's access to court proceedings)

• Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs