Air travel became a big issue for travelers after 9/11 because of much longer waiting times. Over the years, many people felt stressed by long queues and hours of sitting around in crowded terminals after taking off their shoes and much worse. But, did the new REAL ID help move things along this holiday season? Read on to find out.
The New ID System At Christmas
The Christmas travel rush is over for now, but in the new year, no doubt it picks up again. The REAL ID system by TSA tested the efficiency of it in the USA. It’s been in place for a while, but the festive season shone a spotlight on it.
Of course, airport terminals were chockful of people and many of them experienced weather delays. But there was one thing that stood out this year. The long-postponed enforcement of the REAL ID that many feared would create a huge mess actually quietly reduced confusion at TSA checkpoints.
The enforcement of the REAL ID started in May this year. So some travelers had a few months to get used to it before the holidays came. According to Travel Pulse, TSA officials claimed that the majority of flyers already had the identification that complied with the new requirements. So, that helped with the last minute rush to board planes.
Did It Help?
The reason for the success seemed to revolve around the need for fewer security checks. The REAL ID Act was enacted in 2005; however, its enforcement was continuously postponed for years. Due to the delays of implementation, it’s no wonder that many folks felt skeptical about it. Instead, the usual chaos happened, but not because of the changes.
Travelers needed to produce some form of official identification like a driver’s license. Other alternatives were available, but they had to show a little star. Of course passports worked and others could use their trusted traveler cards. While long queues didn’t magically disappear, waiting around certainly doesn’t seem to have taken as long as in most years.
Delays Not Caused By The New System
Of course, at this time of the year, it would take a miracle to reduce airport crowding. And notably, Christmas travel numbers were close to being the highest ever. Long lines were created at major hubs. Delays also increased during peak hours. However, any delays don’t seem to relate to the new identity requirements and mostly, were attributed to the weather.
Of course, some folks didn’t have the necessary IDs required. But, they were inconvenienced rather than those who complied. Some of them had to undergo extra screening while others spent more time with TSA officers as they verified their identity. Notably, in future, they’ll also have to pay a fee for the extra work. However, it seems that most people arrived prepared for the new REAL ID system.
A Stress Remover
In a nutshell, REAL ID wasn’t the main reason for delays and it reportedly removed one of the biggest sources of stress. If enforcement hadn’t started before Christmas, chaos would, no doubt, have ensued. What also helped was the TSA notifying the public about the new requirements well before the peak season started. Instead of that, TSA spent a lot of time during the months preceding the holidays warning travelers to prepare.
At the same time, digital IDs were undergoing limited testing at a number of airports. Some travelers successfully stored their IDs on mobile wallets. Nevertheless, the TSA regarded these gadgets as complements rather than substitutes. Mostly though, physical REAL ID documents were still the norm.
The bottom line is that the system actually functioned in the manner it was supposed to a few years ago. It improved security without causing travelers extra overwhelming stress.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree that REAL ID made a difference to your travel plans this year? Shout out in the comments below, and come back here often for all your travel news and updates.