# Flying next month? Make sure they will let you.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 31, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787 "2015-12-31T01:07:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787/1 "2015-12-31T01:07:24Z")

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The US TSA is planning on tightening the ID requirements, [says the Grey Lady](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/29/business/tsa-moves-closer-to-rejecting-some-state-drivers-licenses-for-travel.html?emc=eta1&_r=1). My own state drivers license will not be good enough for them, which is OK so far, I have no intentions of air travel any time soon. If you do, check the map to be sure you can get into the concourse for your flight (unless you already have a passport or EDL).

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**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787/2 "2015-12-31T01:39:39Z")

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Or, get a passport.

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**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787/3 "2015-12-31T02:36:09Z")

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If it becomes a problem, it won’t be “next month.” The article you linked to said “120 days’ notice would be given before starting to enforce the law at airports.”

I’m not American so this doesn’t affect me (in that if traveling in the US I need my passport anyway), but I would be concerned if a passport became a requirement for US citizens on domestic flights. Seems to be overkill, and not in keeping with the original purpose of a passport. Then again, requiring a driver’s license isn’t in keeping with the original intent of that document either!

The article says “another form of government ID, like a passport” - I wonder if, when they announce the impending enforcement, they will specify exactly what will be accepted for residents of states whose drivers’ licenses are non-compliant.

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**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-next-month-make-sure-they-will-let-you/741787/4 "2015-12-31T02:46:24Z")

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> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#):
>
> The article says “another form of government ID, like a passport” - I wonder if, when they announce the impending enforcement, they will specify exactly what will be accepted for residents of states whose drivers’ licenses are non-compliant.

They [already have a list](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification) of all the forms of ID they accept, although I think the only other one an ordinary US citizen can just go get is a passport or passport card.