SPOKANE, Wash. – Travelers flying within the United States now face additional scrutiny due to federal regulations requiring a REAL ID at TSA checkpoints. Most state driver’s licenses must have the REAL ID star, or indicate an enhanced ID for those with a Washington license.
Military IDs are also accepted, yet one woman shared her experience at the airport, saying her military spouse ID did not work.
Korel Marks said, “I was told I have a military ID but I’m a spouse and I would get through no problem – but spousal IDs are not taken.”
NonStop Local checked the TSA checkpoint guidelines on their website. Based on the information provided, Marks should have been allowed through. The website lists U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents, as acceptable under the REAL ID Act.
Smith expressed relief that the situation occurred at a small airport in Columbia, South Carolina.
“Really thankful it’s a small airport because I probably would’ve been there for a while,” she noted.
She was surprised by the situation, as she had commonly used her military ID for air travel without issues.
“Even without my driver’s license, I just would hand my military I.D. and everything was fine. I was never asked anything else,” Smith said.
