Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - TDC at EWR demanded a Passport as ID as traveling internationally

Myself and Mrs OrlandlFlyer were flying from EWR to LHR yesterday and the TDC at Terminal C took my GE card as ID with no problem (note that GE cards do not replace passports). Mrs OrlandoFlyer gave him her state ID and he demanded a passport as she was traveling internationally. I was about to question this requirement but decided not to as sometimes it easier not to as we were in a hurry. I questioned another TSO about this after going through security and he said United had asked them to do this.

Is this more BS from a couple from a couple of TSOs, which I believe it is, or is it a legitimate requirement to show a passport to a TDC

Is this more BS from a couple from a couple of TSOs, which I believe it is, or is it a legitimate requirement to show a passport to a TDC

The first.

United should have no expectation that they can ask the government to be their doc checkers, unless the doc checkers also can put the passport number in the United data base.

Another case of a lying TDC/TSO or mission creep by the management who then lied to their staff. You will be asked by UNITED staff at baggage check or the gate to display international travel documents.

This is not the first time and won't be the last

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/1053502-tsa-requires-passport-intl-flights.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/1314622-passports-now-not-valid-tsa-security-domestic-flights.html

and sure more to come.

United should have no expectation that they can ask the government to be their doc checkers, unless the doc checkers also can put the passport number in the United data base.

Another case of a lying TDC/TSO or mission creep by the management who then lied to their staff. You will be asked by UNITED staff at baggage check or the gate to display international travel documents.

Also, does the TSA really want to pretend that they understand entry requirements for all kinds of countries? If not, what good is checking for a passport - a passport alone is hardly ever a guarantee of entry anywhere (except coming back home).

Even check-in staff regularly gets this wrong, for entry into their own/carrier country.



Danishflyer

It's a TDC power trip. Had you refused, you would have eventually made it through.

It's no different than when they sometimes refuse federal/alternative ID and ask for a drivers license. The TDC tends to take his job seriously and (I've gathered) thinks anyone not showing a DL like all the other Kettles is either being insubordinate or has something to hide. I know you were in a hurry, but this is the kind of nonsense that needs to be immediately stood up to so as to keep these ______s in their place.

It's a TDC power trip. Had you refused, you would have eventually made it through.

It's no different than when they sometimes refuse federal/alternative ID and ask for a drivers license. The TDC tends to take his job seriously and (I've gathered) thinks anyone not showing a DL like all the other Kettles is either being insubordinate or has something to hide. I know you were in a hurry, but this is the kind of nonsense that needs to be immediately stood up to so as to keep these ______s in their place.

A lot of people , including me. Dont even have one cause we dont drive.

Also, does the TSA really want to pretend that they understand entry requirements for all kinds of countries?

I don't know why they wouldn't, since TSA employees already like to pretend to be law enforcement, DEA, ATF, doctors, lawyers, judges, and PSI Corps.

Not to mention all those foreign visitors who don't have a US driving licence.

Not to mention all those foreign visitors who don't have a US driving licence.

A nd not allowed to have since they dont live in USA.

Not to mention all those foreign visitors who don't have a US driving licence.

Even US citizens are having trouble getting state driving licenses renewed even when the individuals' situations remain unchanged since the previous renewals.

States having marched to the tune of paranoia and worked toward implementing the REAL ID nonsense, despite whatever public protestations some in state (elected and/or appointed) office may present against yet another un(der)funded federal government mandate that burdens the states and the citizenry when it comes even to renewal driving licenses. [By the way, these kind of new/renewal license hassles are going to risk disenfranchising some US citizens from being able to exercise the fundamental right to vote. I anticipate that, as a result of these difficulties, some will be denied their legitimate right to vote without harassment at the polls. :( ]

I don't know why they wouldn't, since TSA employees already like to pretend to be law enforcement, DEA, ATF, doctors, lawyers, judges, and PSI Corps.
Must we needlessly drag the good (by comparison) name of the Psi-Corp into this discussion? =)

I've seen this done by the contract line expediters from time to time (LAX T2 is bad for this), but not by the TSA itself. I'm not, however, surprised.

A nd not allowed to have since they dont live in USA.

Nor is driving or having a drivers license a requirement for any US citizens either.

A nd not allowed to have since they dont live in USA.

Not correct - some states will issue a drivers license to a foreign visitor who can show either lawful proof of a visa or they are exempt. Florida and Hawai'i currently issue drivers licenses to Canadian snowbirds who don't mind surrounding their Canadian licenses as an even exchange.

EWR and JFK almost always ask. And I always tell them where to shove it. 3 striper shows up, usually asks me if I have a passport. Which is responded to
with a "not that it is in any way pertinent to this discussion, but yes, I do have a passport." And that's where the conversation ends.

Not correct - some states will issue a drivers license to a foreign visitor who can show either lawful proof of a visa or they are exempt. Florida and Hawai'i currently issue drivers licenses to Canadian snowbirds who don't mind surrounding their Canadian licenses as an even exchange.

That is different if you can show you are here longer than a visitor/tourist.

We/I were talking about tourist's coming here.

Nor is driving or having a drivers license a requirement for any US citizens either.

I know. But does TSA know that?:rolleyes:

Not correct - some states will issue a drivers license to a foreign visitor who can show either lawful proof of a visa or they are exempt. Florida and Hawai'i currently issue drivers licenses to Canadian snowbirds who don't mind surrounding their Canadian licenses as an even exchange.

You dont have to exchange the Canadian one in Flordia. You can keep both.

You dont have to exchange the Canadian one in Flordia. You can keep both.

I saw a BC snowbird try this at the Kona DMV - the clerk was more than happy to give them a Hawaii license, but said they had to give them the BC license and they would need to swap back when they returned home.


That is different if you can show you are here longer than a visitor/tourist.

We/I were talking about tourist's coming here.

Snowbirds are visitors/tourists - and Hawaii will give a license to a tourist if they are staying long enough to make the transaction worthwhile (in the eyes of the tourist, who will need to take the written test at the least).

The OP does need a passport to travel to the UK so in a sense, they could simply just be making sure you have it with you but I'm sure that isn't why they asked.

In the old days, the only people who required you to show your passport were the airline staff at check-in. At least they let the OP use his global entry card, I've been questioned a few times that it isnt worth it so I just whip out my drivers license.

The OP does need a passport to travel to the UK so in a sense, they could simply just be making sure you have it with you but I'm sure that isn't why they asked.

Regardless, it isn't the mandate of the TSA to check to make sure that I have the appropriate travel documents on my person for leaving the U.S.

The reason why people should be sticklers for this kind of thing is that giving in allows the TSA to be more invasive. If the TSA can ask you if you have a passport when presenting a BP for a flight from LAX to LHR, then there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to ask if you are renting a car at your destination and requiring you produce a Driver's License to prove you can drive and rent the car.

In the old days, the only people who required you to show your passport were the airline staff at check-in. At least they let the OP use his global entry card, I've been questioned a few times that it isnt worth it so I just whip out my drivers license.

Airline staff work for a private company that can require you show your passport as a condition of carriage. I want to see the exactl language that gives a TSO permission to require me to show a passport to him/her.