Frequent fliers -- help with an ID problem

[tar heel]

My adult son is flying next week. He does not have a drivers license and has let his permit expire (he's not interested in driving, so it wasn't something he thought about much). He went to get a new permit today, and it turns out North Carolina is now giving you a paper, no picture temporary then mailing the permanent one. The paperwork says to use the expired one as ID. So, he has an 11-month expired permit with photo, a paper valid one (which I guess shows a government agency found him acceptable). He works at a university and could also show his picture ID from there. Is he going to have trouble getting on a plane? Should he take his birth certificate or something like that? He has a week -- is there something else he can do in case the picture ID doesn't arrive.

TIA.

 

[Jestocost]

My adult son is flying next week. He does not have a drivers license and has let his permit expire (he's not interested in driving, so it wasn't something he thought about much). He went to get a new permit today, and it turns out North Carolina is now giving you a paper, no picture temporary then mailing the permanent one. The paperwork says to use the expired one as ID. So, he has an 11-month expired permit with photo, a paper valid one (which I guess shows a government agency found him acceptable). He works at a university and could also show his picture ID from there. Is he going to have trouble getting on a plane? Should he take his birth certificate or something like that? He has a week -- is there something else he can do in case the picture ID doesn't arrive.

TIA.

He should take whatever he has and should be able to get through security. However, he should be prepared to be subjected to additional screening at the checkpoint. Here's what TSA has to say on the issue on their Web site:

We understand passengers occasionally arrive at the airport without an ID, due to lost items or inadvertently leaving them at home. Not having an ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won’t be allowed to fly. If passengers are willing to provide additional information, we have other means of substantiating someone’s identity, like using publicly available databases.

Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint or onto an airplane.

 

[JessicaR]

This may be helpful.

Q. Can I fly without ID?
A. Adult passengers, 18 and over, are required to show a valid U.S. Federal or State-issued photo ID that contains a name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature. A passenger that refuses to provide any ID and will not cooperate in the identity verification process will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. If you lose your primary ID or it has expired, TSA may accept other forms of ID to help verify your identity.

Q. If I lose my ID during travel, what secondary forms of ID will be accepted?
A. Passengers who do not have a valid photo ID, such as State-issued driver’s license, should bring any ID or documents they have available to assist in verification of identity. Passengers need at least two alternate forms of identification, such as a social security card, birth certificate, marriage license, or credit card. The documents must bear the name of the passenger. Also, one of these documents must bear identification information containing one of the following: date of birth, gender, address, or photo. If TSA can confirm the passenger’s identity, they may enter the secured area, but they could be subject to additional screening. For more information, please review the ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1029.shtm

 

[RadioNate]

State ID? Its too late for a passport.

An adult should really have some kind of government issued photo Id.

I'd go the state ID route for now.

 

[tar heel]

Can't walk in and get a State ID -- that's the problem. You get them for the DMV. He already has one of those coming -- he's just worried it will take longer than a week.

 

[ccgirl]

Can't walk in and get a State ID -- that's the problem. You get them for the DMV. He already has one of those coming -- he's just worried it will take longer than a week.

They don't print them out right than and there? MY DMV gives them on the spot. I would call and see if they could rush it somehow.

 

[golfgal]

If he has the expired photo id and the valid paperwork to renew he should be fine. DH flew with his old license/paperwork and just presented both documents. Our state does not issue the card on site, it is mailed out a few weeks later. They trim a corner of your current card and give you a validated paper that states you are "current". They know this is how it works in many states so it isn't an issue as long as the names and dates of birth match.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

My Mom had a similiar problem recently. She wasn't aware that NC now mails everything. My dh didn't know either, so I wouldn't feel too bad. Anyway she waited until the day that her license expired to go to the DMV and they told her she would be fine with the expired until the new one came in, just to keep the printout from the DMV with her. Then there was a death in the family and had to fly to MA. She was freaked!! She's not a great flier to start with. Anyway, she was fine. They didn't grope her to awful bad. Just asked her alot of questions. There's also a chance that the ID may arrive in time. It only took a few days for DH's license to arrive. We're in Rowan County.

 

[cglaura]

Check with your County Clerk's office. Our's offers County IDs w/ photo and they print them on the spot (with your appropriate paperwork...birth certificate, proof of residency, etc.)

My daughter has flown with it many times.

 

[tar heel]

Unfortunately, the DMV handles official IDs in North Carolina. Our county does not issue any. The DMV offices don't even have the license printing equipment any longer.

I noticed that his temporary has a barcode, so they can scan it at the airport.

If the official thing doesn't come by Thursday, I'll recommend that he take his birth certificate as well as a wallet full of other IDs. He does have several including the picture ID from the university. His expired ID is almost a year expired. My husband flew with a five months expired one -- they said they accept you to six months expired.

 

[golfgal]

Unfortunately, the DMV handles official IDs in North Carolina. Our county does not issue any. The DMV offices don't even have the license printing equipment any longer.

I noticed that his temporary has a barcode, so they can scan it at the airport.

If the official thing doesn't come by Thursday, I'll recommend that he take his birth certificate as well as a wallet full of other IDs. He does have several including the picture ID from the university. His expired ID is almost a year expired. My husband flew with a five months expired one -- they said they accept you to six months expired.

But his ID is no longer expired. He has the renewal paperwork--that brings his old ID current.

 

[tar heel]

That's a good point, golfgal. What he has now is perfectly valid.

 

[Jestocost]

But his ID is no longer expired. He has the renewal paperwork--that brings his old ID current.

While I agree with this and a court probably would too, there are plenty of knuckleheads working for TSA who could decide to steadfastly deny it. Unfortunately, if you encounter one of those it can be like debating with a brick wall.

The bottom line is what I said in my first response to the original question.

The PP's DS should be able to get through the security checkpoint with what he has but also should be prepared for some additional identity verification and screening procedures.

 

[DebbieB]

This is not exactly related but a heads up on something I heard from my aunt. She went to a wedding last Saturday. The couple had a honeymoon planned at Sandals in Jamaica. They showed up at the airport on Sunday, her passport was in her maiden name and the reservation was in her married name. They refused to allow her to board (American Airlines). So they did not board and tried to sort it out. American wanted $1,000 to rewrite her ticket (current fare for new ticket purchased day of flight), and since her husband did not get on, his was no longer valid either. So $2,000. They were going to cancel but Sandals refused to refund them the $5,000 they spent on the room. So they ended up paying the $2,000 and headed to Jamaica on Tuesday. She had her marriage license to show the name change but they would not accept it. Part of the issue may have been that they had been legally married last year and American thought she would have had time to change the passport. They had the formal wedding for last Saturday all planned, then she got pregnant so they had a quick legal ceremony but continued the plans for the formal wedding. Unfortunately, she lost the baby at 18 weeks. She didn't use a travel agent. I said they should try to dispute the charge with the credit card co.

 

[JessicaR]

This is not exactly related but a heads up on something I heard from my aunt. She went to a wedding last Saturday. The couple had a honeymoon planned at Sandals in Jamaica. They showed up at the airport on Sunday, her passport was in her maiden name and the reservation was in her married name. They refused to allow her to board (American Airlines). So they did not board and tried to sort it out. American wanted $1,000 to rewrite her ticket (current fare for new ticket purchased day of flight), and since her husband did not get on, his was no longer valid either. So $2,000. They were going to cancel but Sandals refused to refund them the $5,000 they spent on the room. So they ended up paying the $2,000 and headed to Jamaica on Tuesday. She had her marriage license to show the name change but they would not accept it. Part of the issue may have been that they had been legally married last year and American thought she would have had time to change the passport. They had the formal wedding for last Saturday all planned, then she got pregnant so they had a quick legal ceremony but continued the plans for the formal wedding. Unfortunately, she lost the baby at 18 weeks. She didn't use a travel agent. I said they should try to dispute the charge with the credit card co.

What a nightmare! So sad for them. A travel agent would have avoided this headache. No way you can travel with one name on your passport and another on your ticket. So sad that she didnt know that. Expensive lesson.

 

[cluvsdisney]

In NYS, the DMV mails the photo ID/license which I didn't get in time for a trip last year. I brought my old/expired license with the temporary renewal card and the TSA basically waived me in. Granted my license was only expired for a few days.

Maybe your son can look into getting an expedited passport?

 

[dis-happy]

Saw this article in USA Today a couple of days ago....HTH

http://travel.usatoday.com/news/sto...uments-How-to-avoid-being-grounded/47515166/1

 

[Green Tea]

A man in front of me at the security checkpoint last week didn't have a picture on whatever ID he was showing. It didn't seem to be too big a deal. The agent asked him if he had anything with his picture on it, which he didn't. He was asked to show his credit cards and other cards in the wallet. He did that and went right through like everyone else.

 

[onelilspark]

Just make sure he gets to the airport with lots of extra time.

I flew with my Grandmother (who no longer drives) a year or so ago and even though we asked my Aunt (who lives with her) to get her just a Photo ID so she can fly, it was never done. So her Driver's License was expired. We were still able to go through security just fine, but she was subject to "extra" screening. Actually turned out to be a blessing for us since we were able to go through security at our own pace with no one behind us. BUT yeah, he'll be subject to the extra screening, which isn't much, just an extra pat-down in a separate area. Not a huge deal, just a little extra time.