The
cutoff date for obtaining a Real ID
To be eligible for domestic flights is from May 7th onwards. However, if your travel plans precede this date, here’s what you can anticipate when arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports.
The Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, stated that most individuals do not require obtaining a Real ID by this coming Wednesday’s deadline. He is urging those who have the flexibility to remain at home instead of lining up, as queues continue to be an issue.
DMV facilities
Across the state, lines have extended for blocks with waits lasting for hours.
Beginning this Wednesday, you will require either a Real ID or another approved form of identification for flights within the country. Authorities are advising individuals who do not have immediate plans to postpone getting their Real IDs until after the crowds subside. However, travelers planning trips in the near future are facing long waits, sometimes lasting several hours each day.
Olivia Pertchi plans to travel soon and will be relocating in July. She requires her ID before updating her address.
She confessed, ‘I should have done this sooner.’ She added that she will be traveling during the first week of July and currently lacks a passport.’
Sandra Villanueva is departing much earlier than anticipated and lacks a passport as well. She mentioned that she feels content knowing the lengthy queue will ultimately bring her to her vacation.
She stated, ‘This arrangement works for me since I’m heading to Puerto Rico to have fun, which suits me just fine.’
However, Villanueva advised that those who do not urgently require a Real ID should stay at home instead of joining the lengthy queue.
She mentioned, ‘If there’s no need for air travel, then don’t show up.’ They’re indicating it’s more of a flexible date, so there’s no point in coming if you aren’t going to be flying.’
Even though authorities are telling people not to worry about being removed from their flights if they lack a Real ID by this coming Wednesday, you should still prepare for additional procedures and expect to allocate more time at the airport.
This is what you should understand.
Am I able to board an airplane without having a Real ID?
Giannoulias stated that the Department of Homeland Security informed him and other secretaries of state that individuals traveling to airports on Wednesday won’t face removal from flights for lacking a Real ID.
“According to Homeland Security, there will be an approximately two-year grace period during which they won’t deny boarding for lack of proper identification such as a passport or Real ID,” he stated. “Travelers might receive a warning and may need to complete some forms instead.”
The Transportation Security Administration stated that even without a Real ID or passport, you can still board a flight. However, this requires undergoing an enhanced identity check which includes providing personal details such as your name and present address for identification confirmation.
After your identity has been verified, you will subsequently undergo additional screenings at the TSA checkpoints.
Alternative valid forms of identification encompass a military ID card or a Trusted Traveler card issued through programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST. For an extensive listing of accepted IDs, please refer.
found on the TSA website
.
If you don’t have acceptable ID, won’t cooperate with additional identity verification, or your identity can’t be confirmed, you will not be able to enter a security checkpoint.
If your ID is non-compliant, you may also be pulled out to a separate area to complete your screening process.
What should I expect at the airport starting Wednesday?
Acting TSA Director Adam Stahl sat down with CBS News Chicago to give travelers an idea of what to expect if they don’t have a Real ID but must fly after the deadline to get one has passed.
Travelers carrying other approved compliant IDs will find it simpler, however, even those possessing a valid state-issued but non-compliant ID such as a driving permit can board their flight after undergoing additional scrutiny.
Passengers without a Real ID or passport ought to arrive at O’Hare or Midway airports well ahead—about three hours before their flight—to accommodate extra identity checks and security screenings. They might find themselves waiting in a dedicated queue or being moved from the regular security lane to an alternate location for this enhanced scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security mentioned that using distinct queues for individuals possessing and not possessing Real IDs could be among the tactics employed by TSA to regulate passenger movement at security check points. Authorities additionally noted that during specific hours or within particular sections of an airport, passengers who do not have compliant identification might be rerouted to different lines. However, TSA aims to keep options flexible across inspection areas so as to reduce hold-ups wherever feasible.
The TSA stated that passengers can still get through screenings under even the most adverse conditions, however, they stressed that these additional safety protocols require more time and may cause delays in line-ups.
“If someone arrives without any identification documents at all—like they misplaced their wallet over the weekend—we do have methods for handling such cases. This procedure is very lengthy, and we wouldn’t expect individuals lacking compliant IDs to require this extensive level of scrutiny or identity checks; however, they must provide some form of information,” explained Jessica Mayle, spokesperson for the TSA Great Lakes Region. “Starting entirely from zero means undergoing an incredibly thorough and drawn-out process.”
Regarding wait times, the TSA reports that the average at O’Hare Airport during March was 2.5 minutes—increasing to 6.5 minutes during peak hours and sometimes reaching as high as 28 minutes.
Mayle stated, “We continuously stay in touch with the airports and airlines.” He added, “We can forecast hourly the number of travelers we anticipate, ensuring we have enough personnel to handle the load and manage our ongoing tasks effectively.”
Stahl mentioned that even though enforcement starts on Wednesday, you can still obtain your Real ID after the deadline passes. So, if you haven’t gotten your Real ID yet, make plans to join the program as soon as possible.
Giannoulias asked residents who have other compliant forms of ID or who are not imminently traveling to wait to get their Real ID after the rush is over. It will take two to three weeks to receive your Illinois Real ID in the mail after you complete your application.
Kyle Potter, executive editor of
Thrifty Traveler
, said he plans to test out how things go on Wednesday with Real ID rules in place.
He mentioned that he purchased the least expensive ticket available for his trip from Minneapolis to Denver, aiming to visit both airports and get a feel for what will happen tomorrow.
Potter is preparing for the worst.
It’s been a lengthy process filled with numerous delays and extensions, so many Americans will likely be surprised by these new regulations,” he stated. “Many people might have reasonably dismissed the necessity for a new form of identification to travel as an impossibility.
However, Potter expressed his hope that he will be proven incorrect on Wednesday when everything is expected to proceed without issues.
He anticipates that an increase in enrollment for programs such as Clear or TSA PreCheck might occur, as individuals seek ways to expedite the security process.
Will people without a Real ID affect my wait time at the airport?
TSA said they do not expect those who are flying with the Real ID to be affected by those who aren’t; they plan to have different areas where they do additional screening to keep things moving. Anyone with a noncompliant ID will be pulled out of the main line and to those separate areas.
Map shows Real ID compliance state-by-state
According to recent figures compiled by the CBS News Data Team, Illinois is lagging behind other Midwestern states when it comes to Real ID. As of April, only about one-third of all active Illinois identification is Real ID compliant.
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