Gordie’s Midday Gossip - Real ID Deadline

The TSA has been warning everyone that they NEED to get a “REAL ID” for YEARS . . . and this time, they’re serious.

The TSA says that if you don’t have a Real ID by Wednesday, you better get to the airport at least THREE HOURS EARLY, because you’ll be subject to delays and additional screening. And even then, you might not be cleared to fly.

A “Real ID” driver’s license has a star in the top right corner, and it shows that you’ve verified your identity with additional documents.

Starting Wednesday, a regular old driver’s license will no longer be enough to board a flight. If you don’t have a Real ID, you’ll need a U.S. passport . . . Global Entry or NEXUS . . . a permanent resident card . . . a border crossing card . . . a foreign government-issued passport . . . or a Veteran Health ID Card.

If you don’t have one of those, get to the airport as early as you can . . . and bring as many other IDs with your photo as you can find. And if you aren’t flying until this summer, arrange to get a Real ID ASAP.

But there ARE a few acceptable alternatives to Real IDs. They’ve released a rundown of all the compliant identification. Here’s a full list:

1. A state-issued “Enhanced Driver’s License.” Several states issue these. They’ll have either a star or a U.S. flag at the top, with the word “enhanced.”

2. A U.S. passport, or a U.S. passport card.

3. DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST).

4. A U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents. Or a HSPD-12 PIV card, which some federal employees and contractors have.

5. A permanent resident card. Or a border crossing card.

6. An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation or Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).

7. A foreign government-issued passport.

8. A Canadian driver’s license.

9. A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

10. A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Employment Authorization Card (I-766).

11. A U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.

12. A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).