"Passengers don't listen, a lot of them think the TSA is a joke. The fines are a way to enforce the rules for the REAL ID," the former TSA officer told TheTravel.
I've got one very concrete reason why I do think the TSA is a joke. They list a Veterans Affairs health ID card as valid ID even after this new Real ID rule. Despite that, I was forced to go thru "extra screening" in Austin because a bunch of agents were not aware of this (even though I had a print out of the website). Even in the TSA press release announcing this new fee still lists the VA ID as sufficient, but I'll forever just recall the complete lack of professionalism and knowledge of these agents.
The VA recently gave out more recent ID cards that seem more detailed than the older ones.
It’s right there, last bullet point.
Typically, in the states, veterans are presumed to be less of a safety risk and receive preferential treatment at all sorts of venues.
1. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
I've gone through more than one airport where TSA had someone yelling at everyone to keep their shoes on ... then like 20 feet later an angry TSA guy yelling at people things like "haven't you ever flown before, take off your shoes".
I dared mention that the other TSA agent up the line was telling people something different ... TSA just ignored me.
And what is the delay in those lines? It's always the scanner speed, not the people. People are usually rushing, and then just stand there and wait.
TSA operates like elementary school hall monitors all to often.
Previously, if you didn't have your "Real ID" (which, is a terrible name IMO) or passport, you were just... denied. And presumably that would cost far more than $45.
This seems like an extra step to help you get through airports and prevent delays.
Also, $45 for 30 minutes of a TSA agent's time + their software seems very reasonable? That could even be operating at a loss.
I get it, the median person flies 0 times a year, the average person flies 1.5-2 times a year, there's a huge number of people who fly 0-2 times a year. Mistakes happen and they should result in seizing the whole system.
...but it's just insane to me that someone could go to an airport and not have an ID, let alone a passport. Come on.
Edit (didn't realize the article continued):
> American travelers were still permitted to fly without this updated form of ID with no penalties; they simply had to undergo additional screening, including handing over current addresses, per the TSA's website.
I'm speechless.
I can't find that information anywhere in the article despite it being the entire point of the headline.
I agree I read it as being the same cost for 4 individuals.
There is a 10 day window so both groups could end up paying on the way back too.
(Apologies if this is a stupid question, I'm not familiar with how these things work in the US)
ChrisArchitect•42m ago
US air travelers without REAL IDs will be charged a $45 fee
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46136901
Vaslo•35m ago
neogodless•35m ago
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46115731 US air travelers without REAL IDs will be charged a $45 fee (apnews.com)
1 day ago | 69 comments
Polizeiposaune•33m ago