I know there are a lot of people out there who think the TSA is a total waste of time, is security theater, etc. I suppose everyone has their own right to have an opinion (not that their opinion will actually change anything, but it’s still nice to have one).

Personally, I have no qualms about the presence of the TSA, or what they do. I don’t even mind when they’re gruff or short with people, because I know the training they get for customer service is secondary to the training they get for safety. Plus, they’ve even explained why they’re rude sometimes. And I get all of that.

But what I don’t understand is why or how, by this point, some TSA officers have no idea what counts as appropriate ID at the TSA checkpoint.

Recent problems

It’s all come to a head in recent weeks because requirements for Real ID are here. And sure, they’re “easing” passengers into having Real ID (because I guess hearing about it for 20+ years and every state offering it for the past 5 years wasn’t enough for people to get one?) and letting them go with a warning of sorts.

But the issue that’s been popping up more recently is that people who choose to use a different form of ID at the checkpoint are sometimes having problems. Why? The TSA officer claims whatever ID they’re using isn’t legitimate. Except they are.

What’s acceptable?

Obviously, a U.S. driver’s license is the ID most people offer at the checkpoint. A passport is probably the one that’s offered second most often. But there are 15 other forms of ID that the Department of Homeland Security says can be used at the TSA checkpoint.

Except passengers have been giving those alternative IDs – which are supposed to be perfectly acceptable – and there are some TSA officers who are saying “nope, not good enough.”

The Threads discussion

A conversation about this started on Threads just a few days ago. It started with a user named kelleybri who explained what she had recently gone through at the TSA checkpoint and had a conversation with the TSA officer that went something like this:

She then explained that the ID she used, VHIC, was absolutely allowed as ID at TSA (it’s on their list). And then others commented. Paraphrased:

• A woman ahead of me at MCO was told by TSA that her US military DOD ID wasn’t valid. Luckily she had her passport with her, too.
• My Real ID DL has a gold star on it. I handed it to the TSA lady, who insisted it wasn’t Real ID. After going back and forth a few times (“Yes, it is.” “No,it’s not.”), the lady, smirking, says, “I guess we’ll see.” She runs it through the machine and, of course, it worked fine. Lady says, “Huh! I didn’t think it was Real ID.”
• More than one person described a situation similar to Kelleybri’s, except they tried to use their Global Entry card. The TSA officer asked one of the respondents person who grants them? “Customs & Border Control, a division of Homeland Security. I had to interview and background check that. That’s more than my passport” Said TSA officer said they had never seen one; nor had the 3 other TSA agents they called over. Another person refused to accept their Global Entry card and insisted they use their driver’s licesce (which they purposely hadn’t upgraded to Real ID because they have a Global Entry card).
• Another person said that they had never had issues with their Global Entry card at airports, but their TWIC (again, an unusual form of ID but still very much on the list) is usually more hassle than it’s worth. (they explained that their renewed GE card hadn’t arrived by their last flight).
• Someone else said they tried to use their tribal ID. Their US passport is being renewed, so they can’t use it right now. They live overseas and don’t have a home in the US to get a Real ID. But they did have their Tribal Card, which is a Federally issued ID (and on the list!). TSA tells them it’s not acceptable. They pull up TSA’s website and show him it is. A supervisor and 30 minutes later they were finally let through.
• Another person explained that they tried to use their green card (on the list) because, “it’s been impossible for months to get an appointment at the DMV.” They let them through but asked to see their boarding pass in KY. They had no problems in Austin, though (they guessed TX has a lot of green card holders, so they were used to seeing them).

How do they not know this?

OK, granted…there are some forms of ID on the list that are pretty unusual. I’m willing to bet that a TSA officer doesn’t often see, say, a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential. But they should know it still counts, no? Isn’t that part of their job?

Of course, we all know the answer to that – inadequate training (or, more likely, inadequate review of same), poor critical thinking and little common sense. And for some of them, probably a bit of a superiority complex, too.

As one respondent said, “Their scanner will literally flash red if it’s NOT an acceptable ID. All they have to do is put the ID in the device.” But some TSA officers apparently would rather insist that the ID isn’t legit.

And this is part of the reason why you’re told to arrive at the airport 2 hours early, travel friends.

Meanwhile, if you’re using an ID besides a Real ID driver’s license, be ready for the potential of an argument. And have their list of appropriate ID at the ready on your phone.

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