Help! Grandma has no I.D.!

[ShesAPirate]

A little background...

I'm supposed to leave Sunday for a trip to Clearwater Beach with my mom, my aunt and her daughter, and my grandmother. The trip is booked and paid for.

Grandma is 82 and has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. In the past two years, she's gone from big house (sold because it was too big for her to handle anymore) to small apartment -- and now to living with my mom, because of various Alzheimer's related reasons. In all that shuffling, some things were apparently misplaced.

Gram hasn't driven in years, and all that remains of her old license is a photo copy. In addition to that, we have a temporary non-driver ID with no photo - which we just got from NY motor vehicle today -- they mail the official one within 10 days (NJ gives it to you the same day, don't know why NY is like this), her birth certificate, insurance cards, credit cards (including one with her photo). That's it.

Everything I've read online (TSA, Newark airport website, and Continental website) says if you don't present "acceptable ID" you may be "subject to further screening". It doesn't say anything definitive about being denied boarding.

Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? My poor mom is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and is thinking we have to cancel the trip. Any and all ideas/advice/whatever are welcomed!!!

*Posting this on this board in the hopes that, in addition to getting advice from the very knowledgeable podcast listeners, maybe some of the wonderful Podcast hosts/Dreams Unlimited agents might have some solid info for me

 

[mrzrich]

My grandmother passed away last year at 99. She would fly twice a year dividing her time between my Aunt in PA and my mom in FL. Everytime she flew the TSA would pull her out for the more thorough screening. They really scrutinized all her documents and checked her person over well. She never drove in her life, but did have a state issued photo ID.

Your Grandmother really needs proper ID if she plans to fly.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

My son just flew to summer camp and one of the other campers only had a copy of his ID. He couldn't find his original. I just talked to my son and he said he had to fill out a ton of paperwork but they did let him on the plane. I'd call the airlines and ask them directly what you will need to bring to make sure she gets on the plane. Does she need any assistance getting on the plane? It might be beneficial to request pre-boarding so you can get her settled in her seat before the masses are allowed on the plane.

Good luck and let us know what the airlines says.

 

[Carolinagal]

I thought I lost my license on a business trip and they told me I would have to go to the DMV and get a new one. I called the airlines and asked what they need for the flight, and they indicated that I could fly same day with the appropriate temporary documentation. It sounds as though you have the documentation you need, but you might call ahead and see.

As the previous poster mentioned, they may request that she go through additional screening....

 

[suzannecstarr]

If you use online check in then you can avoid dealing with the airline all together. I think getting past security will just be a matter of getting the right agent. I found this online

"In practice, many TSA employees and supervisors do not know the ID-or-extra-search rule (it is, after all, a secret), and act flummoxed when they encounter a passenger who says they prefer not to show ID.

Under the new rules, passengers who "lost" their ID can expect to be hand-screened, have their bags searched and — according to the release — undergo 'interviews with behavior detection or law enforcement officers.' "


Technically in NY they are supposed to accept the temp ID as official state issued ID. I would just give yourself a lot more time at the airport. Unfortunately the worst that could happen is not being turned away at Newark but not being able to return home. Yikes! I hope everything works out.

 

[mikelan6]

I think you should be fine as long as you explain what happened. I suggest you go extra early to the airport.

Personally, I think asking for a photo ID is done more for the airlines than for security. Matching a name on the boarding pass to the ID allows the airlines to make more money since only that person is allowed to fly.

 

[disneygirl 17]

I agree with everyone above...I mean an agent has to have common sense to an extent.

If you are really worried have you thought about paying the extra money and going to a passport agency where you can get a passport the same day.

 

[tlcoke]

The mailed License/ID is part of the Secure ID law - which require them to fully verify who you are before issuing the permanent Secure license/id, in which States have to have all ID's & Licenses switched over by 2016 when the law goes into full effect - but you should be able to get a limited ID issued immediately.

 

[spokanemom]

I (not too long ago) went to the airport knowing that my license was happily tucked away in my wallet. It wasn't. I was still able to get my boarding pass but when I went through security, I had to have additional screening. They marked on my boarding pass that I had no ID. I was just pulled aside. It took maybe 5 minutes more.

In the meantime, I had my friend break into my house and retrive my license from my coat pocket on the back of the dining room chair and bring it back to me...

Although, it wasn't too much of a hassle, it certainly was stressful. I would just make sure to bring whatever ID she does have. She will still get on the plane, it may just take a few minutes more.

Happy travels!

 

[Illini Disney Guy]

I had the misfortune of losing my drivers license and credit cards while on vacation at the world last year. I found this out early in our vacation and had my expired passport fedex down to me and and after a little extra screaning on the way home we got through security. We were at the airport extra early just to make sure.

T

 

[disneym2m]

It sounds like everyone experienced something different regarding the airlines. I would call the airline and find out exactly what documentation is required. Explain to them what has happened and see what they say. I would arrive early (which was previously suggested) just in case there are extra security checks needed.

Good luck and I hope all works out okay.

 

[starwood]

In NJ you can get a non drivers ID from motor vehicle. Maybe you can go there with here and get one of these. It has a picture on it. My mother never drove and she got one of these.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think she should be OK with what she has. Just explain what happened to the TSA agent and expect that she might be subjected to a little more screening.

My sister and my mom flew in May to meet up with us in Orlando. My sister made all the reservations and made one for my mom (J----- X-----) and then, without thinking, used the same last name (her maiden name) for her own ticket. She didn’t realize she had done that until she printed out their boarding passes the evening before the flight and didn’t have time to do anything about it. So, she brought her driver’s license with her picture and her current married name (2nd marriage), her marriage license which had her new (2nd marriage) and her first married name, her nurse’s license without a picture but with her current married name, her birth certificate, which has her maiden name and of course my mom listed as her mother. Mom had her own ID with her correct name and a picture.
Besides that, my sister had her daughter from the first marriage who had her own picture ID and birth certificate, which listed my sister as the mom with her first married name.

My sister said she did get a little extra security, but also got some laughs out of the TSA people. They said they never had anyone bring their birth certificate and their mother (with her ID) and daughter to verify who she was.

It took longer for her to explain all her ID to them than to have the extra screening. And, she had no problem getting back at the Orlando airport with the same ID.