Originally Posted by
morcheeba
Last week on a business trip to flyover country, though, I got some major pushback at the airport. When I presented my state ID card, I was told, "I need to see your driver's license."
I explained that I don't have one, and the response was, "You've got to be s__tting me. An adult without a driver's license? Do you understand how suspicious that is? What, did you get a DUI or something?"
When informed of my disability, the response was, "Well, that's not my f__king fault, is it?"
Eventually I got a supervisor involved, who resolved the situation. But as I prepared to move on, he discreetly said, "Look, do me a favor and get a passport card for next time."
A passport card is just as likely to get you hassled. There are many posts here about TSA hassling travelers with those or other non-drivers-license non-passport-book IDs. (A nexus card is even more likely to get you hassled.)
You have a serious and valid complaint that might actually get some traction; please consider making use of it. Many of us who (do have drivers licenses and) choose to use alternative IDs get heckled by TSA apologists who say "just make it easier and give them your drivers license." The apologists aren't happy with the response that some people cannot get drivers licenses (DLs) and that those of us who don't use DLs at the checkpoint are helping preserve the rights of everyone.
What those of us with DLs experience with such hassle is "just" harassment. What you experienced is outright discrimination based on a government-recognized disability. Please consider making a stink with TSA, your congressman (who is up for reelection this year), and possibly with the local media.
TSA repeatedly claims that they protect the rights of the disabled, but they can't even universally train their ID-checkers on the simple fact that not all people have, want, or can get a DL. That's a major testament to the incompetence and out-of-control behavior of that agency.