TSA & ID
Jun 29, 2013 | 7:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 219
TSA & ID
So the 'consistent inconsistency' got one of my friends today. Well, one of his kids' friends. The kids were flying to CA, and one of them forgot his ID. Got through security in PIT just fine.
Got to PHX for their layover and they left the sterile area. When they attempted to return, the TSA would not allow the friend without his ID back through the checkpoint. So now they're stuck, because my friend's kid would not leave HIS friend on his own.
Yeah, they should never have left the secure area, we get that, but why is the TSA in Phoenix telling this kid that he absolutely is not allowed to go through security without an ID?
Got to PHX for their layover and they left the sterile area. When they attempted to return, the TSA would not allow the friend without his ID back through the checkpoint. So now they're stuck, because my friend's kid would not leave HIS friend on his own.
Yeah, they should never have left the secure area, we get that, but why is the TSA in Phoenix telling this kid that he absolutely is not allowed to go through security without an ID?
Jun 29, 2013 | 7:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 919
While there are ways to prove the ID of an adult my guess is it's a lot harder to for a minor due to lack of a paper trail. If they're at T4 they could try another checkpoint since all concourses are interconnected behind security. I think both of Terminal 3s are as well but I can't remember off the top of my head.
Jun 29, 2013 | 7:54 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
The TSA website makes clear that you do not need an ID, but that TSA must be able to verify your identity. That's relatively easy and painless for an adult, but can be harder for a kid.
Are you saying that TSA refused to attempt the verification process or that TSA attempted the verification process and could not satisfactorily complete it?
If the former, I would find a senior supervisor at another checkpoint. If the latter, them's the breaks. Fedex the license, they'll have it tomorrow and be on their way.
Are you saying that TSA refused to attempt the verification process or that TSA attempted the verification process and could not satisfactorily complete it?
If the former, I would find a senior supervisor at another checkpoint. If the latter, them's the breaks. Fedex the license, they'll have it tomorrow and be on their way.
Jun 29, 2013 | 10:28 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: United Airlines 1 MM, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,777
Define kid - how old were they?
"The kid" screwed up twice. Forgetting the ID, then going outside security on a layover. The first is understandable and forgivable, the second is just plain stupid.
"The kid" screwed up twice. Forgetting the ID, then going outside security on a layover. The first is understandable and forgivable, the second is just plain stupid.
Jun 29, 2013 | 11:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / CNX / SFO
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,253
If they're under 18, they shouldn't be required to provide ID in any case, and they should push this accordingly. Otherwise, assuming they attempted (and failed) to verify their identity, there's little practical recourse.
Jun 29, 2013 | 11:08 pm
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
More information is needed. The TSA says
Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.
So something is not making any sense if the kids are under eighteen.
Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.
So something is not making any sense if the kids are under eighteen.
Jun 30, 2013 | 1:35 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,532
More information is needed. The TSA says
Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.
So something is not making any sense if the kids are under eighteen.
Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.
So something is not making any sense if the kids are under eighteen.
Jun 30, 2013 | 6:57 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 219
They're both over 18, so "kid" is relative. And they're traveling on their own, so they have no clue how to contact a supervisor, etc. My friend's son called his dad, but his cell phone died so we don't have the entire story, we just know that he wasn't allowed back in the sterile area. (And everyone is agreed that leaving it was incredibly stupid, but apparently smoking is a necessity. 
)
)
Jun 30, 2013 | 7:30 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
They're both over 18, so "kid" is relative. And they're traveling on their own, so they have no clue how to contact a supervisor, etc. My friend's son called his dad, but his cell phone died so we don't have the entire story, we just know that he wasn't allowed back in the sterile area. (And everyone is agreed that leaving it was incredibly stupid, but apparently smoking is a necessity. )
)There has to be more to this story and it sounds as though the story needs to be completed when the cell battery is recharged.
TSA does this ID verification thing all the time. It takes time & patience, but it's all doable.
Jun 30, 2013 | 9:55 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 5,015
They're both over 18, so "kid" is relative. And they're traveling on their own, so they have no clue how to contact a supervisor, etc. My friend's son called his dad, but his cell phone died so we don't have the entire story, we just know that he wasn't allowed back in the sterile area. (And everyone is agreed that leaving it was incredibly stupid, but apparently smoking is a necessity. )
)"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." - Sufi sage, Mulla Nasrudin.
Jun 30, 2013 | 10:26 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 616
The TSA could just screen the passenger to make sure no prohibited items are allowed past the checkpoint. Even if a terrorist got on a plane, what is he going to do if he doesn't have a weapon or bomb? I could care less who is on the plane as long as they don't have any weapons or bombs. It's not like the TDC is checking against the no fly list anyway.
Jun 30, 2013 | 11:47 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 219
The "kid" is 19. Just found out that the TSA said that they need "more" information in Phoenix than in other airports because of the "problems" they have at that airport, so the medicine bottles with his name on them were not sufficient. Someone at home found his driver's license and faxed that, but they want his birth certificate too. (???)
WN is being awesome on this and will get the kids on a flight once they clear security, at no extra charge. Kids mom is going to overnight his license to CA so he has it for the return trip.
WN is being awesome on this and will get the kids on a flight once they clear security, at no extra charge. Kids mom is going to overnight his license to CA so he has it for the return trip.