Originally Posted by
cbn42
I have been told the opposite, smaller airports are being more strict. Larger airports are getting a ton of people without REAL ID and don't have enough officers to handle them, so the extra screening is minimal.
Essentially, the policy right now is "soft" enforcement. This means that if you don't have REAL ID, you are given a written warning (i.e., they hand you a pamphlet) and then you "may" get additional screening such as a hand swab, depending on the availability of officers.
Yes, I am sure it depends. I was watching a smaller airport rolling this out (and know several GAs there too) and they are handing out slips to get a REAL ID, but due to the size and ease, it was much simpler. Logistics make it so. Having flown in or out of all the airports I cited, I would not ever take my chances on LAX for anything I was not prepared for with SOP. So you may have been told right or not, I can't say, not knowing your source. Going off experience with all the LA metro airports, and then seeing the rollout and asking the GAs there (I often stop to chat if it is a down time, and I do a lot of overnights to and from DFW when I am in the States), that was my somewhat informed experience.
That said, yes, there is a bit of leeway, but again, would anyone want to do LAX when BUR was an option? Maybe some would because of lounges, but it sounds as if OP's son mostly wants to get home and see his family after a year no one should have to experience.
OP, your son might ask co-workers about recent flight experiences, TSA in general, as well. I always tried to fly to/from BUR or SNA when I could. I still do when I head that way.