Tucson, Ariz. (13 News) –
The REAL ID is a comprehensive national changeover.
To confirm that air passengers are indeed who they claim to be, as suggested following the events of September 11th.
Travelers are advised to allow extra time when arriving at the airport, particularly those without a REAL ID, as they will require additional processing.
Among the crowd arriving at Tucson International Airport on Tuesday, identifying those who already possess their REAL IDs can be observed.
“It was really simple; I just brought my passport to the DMV, and they quickly handled getting my REAL ID for Arizona,” explained Eric Thomas. The REAL ID he received features a star in the top-right corner, setting it apart from a regular state ID.
However, individuals such as Pete McGraw hadn’t made the transition yet and, similar to nearly one-fifth of Americans, along with an even greater proportion of Arizonans, continue to possess their older state-issued IDs.
“I submitted my application yesterday. It’s in progress, but I won’t have it ready for this trip,” McGraw stated.
“It’s all about ensuring security. Our aim isn’t to penalize anyone. We don’t want travelers to feel like they’re being punished in any manner. What we do hope for is that individuals recognize the necessity and expectation of safety and security when arriving at an airport,” clarified TSA representative Patricia Mancha.
She mentioned that TSA collaborates with individuals who have forgotten their ID or found out it has expired. They accept passports or other IDs that meet federal standards or Global Entry requirements, but not just an outdated state-issued ID.
“If an individual does not possess a genuine REAL ID, we will be unable to authenticate their identity at the verification point,” Mancha stated.
The TSA will prepare accordingly so that people with this won’t face delays at security checkpoints. For those without it, the TSA will still assist them in getting through security; however, they might experience some waiting time.
“If we have 100 passengers without a REAL ID and you’re number 99 on that list, it’s highly probable that you won’t get verified in time for your flight,” explained Mancha.
McGraw still had to return to Tucson on Thursday and knew that he would need some extra time for that flight since he wouldn’t have his REAL ID by then.
“I’ll build that in, so we’ll make it happen,” he said.
REAL ID is not a passport, which is what you need to travel internationally and for the Ports of Entry.
REAL ID will be necessary for access to different federal facilities.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) frequently encounters passengers who unexpectedly find themselves flying, often due to funerals or ill family members. Consequently, individuals traveling under such unforeseen circumstances shouldn’t anticipate special treatment from TSA. Despite their urgent situations, these travelers can expect TSA to thoroughly check and confirm their identities just as they would with any other passenger.
As stated by ADOT, you can expect to receive your REAL ID via mail after approximately 10 days to two weeks.
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