Feds Force Non-Compliant Travelers to Pay Up for Air Travel Amid REAL ID Lack
Starting this Sunday, US citizens flying domestically without a REAL ID or other accepted forms of identification will have to shell out $45 to get verified through the Transportation Security Administration's new ConfirmID process. It's not a fine, but rather a fee meant to nudge non-compliant travelers into getting their hands on one of these star-marked licenses.
As things stand, most US air travelers are already compliant with REAL ID requirements, so this extra fee is likely intended for those who have yet to get in line. But the cost may catch some passengers off guard, especially if they're not aware that a REAL ID is needed for domestic air travel.
For the record, a REAL ID is a federally-compliant state-issued license or identification card that was mandated after 9/11 as part of enhanced security measures. It's indicated by a white star in a yellow circle on most US licenses and has been required since May. But passengers without one - and without another TSA-accepted ID like a passport - were still allowed through security with extra screening and a warning.
The new fee won't guarantee flight access, though. Passengers whose identities can't be verified may be turned away at airport security. According to Adam Stahl, acting TSA deputy administrator, the fee ensures that non-compliant travelers (not taxpayers) cover the cost of processing them without acceptable IDs.
So how does this ConfirmID process work? Travelers pay a $45 service fee online, either through a debit or credit card, Venmo, or PayPal. They'll need to enter their legal name and start date of travel. If someone else is making the payment, they must enter the traveler's information correctly.
Once paid, passengers will get an emailed receipt from pay.gov. When it's time for airport security, they just need a government-issued ID and that digital or printed copy of the receipt to begin the verification process.
TSA recommends paying ahead of time to avoid long lines - up to 30 minutes of extra processing is possible without the fee.
Other accepted forms of ID include passports, permanent resident cards, trusted traveler cards (like Global Entry), military IDs, and photo IDs from federally recognized tribal nations. A full list can be found on the TSA's website.
The goal here seems clear: getting more people to secure their identities before heading out for air travel. Whether this fee is effective remains to be seen - but it's a step in the right direction towards enhanced security measures, even if it does come with an extra cost for some travelers.
Starting this Sunday, US citizens flying domestically without a REAL ID or other accepted forms of identification will have to shell out $45 to get verified through the Transportation Security Administration's new ConfirmID process. It's not a fine, but rather a fee meant to nudge non-compliant travelers into getting their hands on one of these star-marked licenses.
As things stand, most US air travelers are already compliant with REAL ID requirements, so this extra fee is likely intended for those who have yet to get in line. But the cost may catch some passengers off guard, especially if they're not aware that a REAL ID is needed for domestic air travel.
For the record, a REAL ID is a federally-compliant state-issued license or identification card that was mandated after 9/11 as part of enhanced security measures. It's indicated by a white star in a yellow circle on most US licenses and has been required since May. But passengers without one - and without another TSA-accepted ID like a passport - were still allowed through security with extra screening and a warning.
The new fee won't guarantee flight access, though. Passengers whose identities can't be verified may be turned away at airport security. According to Adam Stahl, acting TSA deputy administrator, the fee ensures that non-compliant travelers (not taxpayers) cover the cost of processing them without acceptable IDs.
So how does this ConfirmID process work? Travelers pay a $45 service fee online, either through a debit or credit card, Venmo, or PayPal. They'll need to enter their legal name and start date of travel. If someone else is making the payment, they must enter the traveler's information correctly.
Once paid, passengers will get an emailed receipt from pay.gov. When it's time for airport security, they just need a government-issued ID and that digital or printed copy of the receipt to begin the verification process.
TSA recommends paying ahead of time to avoid long lines - up to 30 minutes of extra processing is possible without the fee.
Other accepted forms of ID include passports, permanent resident cards, trusted traveler cards (like Global Entry), military IDs, and photo IDs from federally recognized tribal nations. A full list can be found on the TSA's website.
The goal here seems clear: getting more people to secure their identities before heading out for air travel. Whether this fee is effective remains to be seen - but it's a step in the right direction towards enhanced security measures, even if it does come with an extra cost for some travelers.
, like, I thought we already had REAL ID and stuff? But apparently, not everyone is on board 
. I guess it's cool that they're trying to get more people to get their hands on a license, but $45 seems like a bit of a rip-off 
. Like, can't they just make the licenses free or something? 
I know some people might be lazy about getting one, but come on, it's not like we didn't have time to figure this out after 9/11 
. I'm kinda glad they're doing this ConfirmID thingy, though - at least it'll make things a bit more organized, right? 
. It's just that if most air travelers already have a REAL ID or another accepted form of ID, why do we need to pay extra? 
. I mean, a REAL ID has been required since May, so it's not like it's a new thing anymore 
.
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. But yeah, let's just hope this fee doesn't end up being a huge headache for some travelers 
. Anyway, I guess this is one way to get people to start caring about their identities... in time for the next round of identity theft scandals 
.
. But at the same time, I understand the importance of securing identities before flying. If it means more people get that star-marked license, then I'm all for it 
️. Maybe we can also consider offering some financial assistance or discounts to those who struggle to pay this fee 
.
. I mean, who expects to get caught off guard by a $45 fee just for flying domestic? It's already stressful enough dealing with airport security, and now you gotta worry about paying more too? 
It's just... maybe they could've made it clearer that there was gonna be a fee? Or offered some kinda free trial or something to test the waters 
. Still, I guess it's better than being turned away at security 
. Just hope everyone doesn't get caught off guard and ends up paying that fee without realizing what's going on 
.
anyway i guess its a good thing they're trying to push people into getting those star-marked licenses 
