New TSA policy may charge passengers who do not have acceptable IDs at checkpoints

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may charge passengers $18 if they show up atairport checkpointswithout an acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or REAL ID.

The enforcement proposal comes as TSA launches a “modernized alternative identity verification program” for travelers who do not have a passport or REAL ID.

“This modernized program provides an alternative that may allow these individuals to gain access to the sterile area of an airport if TSA is able to establish their identity,” says TSA’s published notice.

SHUTDOWN’S IMPACT AT AIRPORTS WILL WORSEN, SAYS TSA — TRAVELERS SHOULD ‘GO EARLY’ AND ‘BE PATIENT’

The proposed fee will cover any “government-incurred costs,” valid for 10-day use.

Read More → Former SJSU volleyball star reveals ‘severe’health issue that stemmed from Title IX conflict with school

Participation is not required.However, it is not clear if passengers can still travel without identification.

A new TSA policy may charge passengers $18 for alternative ID verification at security checkpoints.(Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)

“[The] program does not guarantee that an individual’s identity will be verified or that the individual will be provided access to the sterile area of the airport,” reads the notice.

A

“This notice serves as a next step in the process [of] REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary [Kristi] Noem as of May 2025,” said the spokesperson.

The fee may cover any “government-incurred costs,” and is valid for 10-day use.

Read More → Faith leader explains why Charlie Kirk’s final Thanksgiving message matters

The spokesperson added, “TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure bothsecurity and efficiencyat our checkpoints.”

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

Read More → War on badges: House GOP targets anti-police rhetoric amid ICE attacks

The potential update comes as nearly 82 million Americans are projected to travel over theThanksgiving holiday period,from Nov.25 to Dec.1, according to AAA.

Of the millions of Americans traveling, six million are expected tofly domestically,for an increase of 2% from last year.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

AAA found thatroundtrip domestic flight ticketsaverage $700, which is not a big change from last year.

Read More → Israel releases body-cam video of deadly Syria raid targeting Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated terrorists

Thanksgiving Day, is the cheapest — with the Sunday and Monday after the holiday predicted as the busiest, according to AAA.

Ashley J.