Originally Posted by
Global_Hi_Flyer
What's funny about this is the following story:
When I got my DL in Texas a few years ago, the drivers license bureau (run by the Department of Public Safety) confiscated my old Ohio picture license and issued me a "reciept" to serve as a "temporary" license until they got around to mailing the official picture TX license to me. You can't get one on-the-spot.
I looked at the clerk and asked how long it would take. Up to a month, came the reply. I looked at her and asked if there was an expedited process as I travel all the time and the airlines & security folks demand picture ID (not letting on that I had a passport). In all seriousness (and confirmed by a badge-wearing supervisor) she replied: "You can use your Sam's Club card, all the airports will accept that, I can assure you".
Idiocy is not limited to the Federal level.
I ran into a similar problem when I moved to Texas. I fly every week, so I asked them before surrendering my Oklahoma driver's license how I could get a picture ID immediately. I was told to get a Texas state ID, not a driver's license but a legal government ID. This ID still takes aboutt 30 days, then come in and surrender my OK driver's license. I just went back to Oklahoma on a business trip and told them I had lost my DL and got a duplicate. Then went to Texas and surrendered my older (but still valid) Oklahoma driver's license. They were right, it took 30 days. I know the Oklahoma driver's license isn't valid anymore, but it hasn't expired on the face so I keep it for a back up. I am constantly amazed at the rental car agents and hotel clerks that have to be prompted to return my DL. This happens on a regular basis, I have to be very vigilant to make sure my DL has been returned.