NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Following numerous postponements, the
Department of Homeland Security’s deadline for Real ID is Wednesday
. Secretary Kristi Noem says the enhanced form of identification for boarding flights and accessing federal buildings and installations will reduce fraud and make the country safer.
Having the credential will ensure the smoothest, quickest pass through airport security. But administration at Norfolk International Airport said those travelers who still don’t have a Real ID will be able to get on their plane.
“If you have another form of acceptable alternative identification, for example, a passport, if you have a military ID or a government-issued DoD type pass, that would be something else that could be acceptable to be able to move forward,” said Chris Jones, chief communications officer for the airport.
Jones said he doesn’t want people to cancel their travel plans if they can’t meet the deadline, but those without Real ID will need to plan for additional scrutiny.
“It’s very unobtrusive, very quick,” Jones said. “It’s something that they’d be able to move through people in volume and be able to get forward within a matter of less than a minute to be able to keep you going.”
Jones stated that the federal screening personnel will be prepared for the updated procedures, despite the upcoming start of the summer travel season.
We’ve spoken with our local federal security director,” Jones stated, “and he seems quite confident that we’ll manage to resolve this with barely any incidents.
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