WP: "D.C. resident: TSA agent questioned if license from nation’s capital was valid"
Feb 27, 2014, 7:23 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: EWR
Programs: AA, Delta, NWA,HHonors, Hyatt BF
Posts: 1,762
I gave up on using a DL for ID a few years ago since I obviously have an eyeball problem 
When I got my NJ DL (back in the 80s) the DMV said my eyes were green and applied this to my application. Ok, they were green-ish, and at 17 I didn't care. As I got older, my eyes got lighter, and now they are definitely blue. But my DL says green. And unfortunately I have had to explain this over and over again to TSA... no, I'm not wearing colored contacts.... yes, it's really me and these are my original eyeballs..... and to change it in the system means a whole new DL# or some monumental horror or so I was told when I asked about it (and quickly averted my eyes) as the last 3 digits of our DL's are a combo of eye color code and birth year.
When I got my NJ DL (back in the 80s) the DMV said my eyes were green and applied this to my application. Ok, they were green-ish, and at 17 I didn't care. As I got older, my eyes got lighter, and now they are definitely blue. But my DL says green. And unfortunately I have had to explain this over and over again to TSA... no, I'm not wearing colored contacts.... yes, it's really me and these are my original eyeballs..... and to change it in the system means a whole new DL# or some monumental horror or so I was told when I asked about it (and quickly averted my eyes) as the last 3 digits of our DL's are a combo of eye color code and birth year.
Feb 27, 2014, 8:00 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
The District of Columbia "Home Rule Charter", which is the "organic statute" for the activities of the DC local government, is an Act of Congress, Public Law 93-198, approved 12/24/1973:
http://www.abfa.com/ogc/hrtall.htm
http://www.abfa.com/ogc/hrtall.htm
[D.C. Code 1-204] Except as provided in sections 601, 602, and 603 [D.C. Code 1-206, 1-233, and 47-313], the legislative power of the District shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation within the District consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the provisions of this Act subject to all the restrictions and limitations imposed upon the States by the tenth section of the first article of the Constitution of the United States.
So unless the Congress wants to regulate drivers in DC, I will still see that as a de facto state ID/DL.
Feb 27, 2014, 8:16 am
#33
Join Date: May 2003
Location: N/A
Posts: 403
I have had an agent verify with his superior whether or not Hawaii was part of the USA.
Last edited by msiamsia; Feb 27, 2014 at 8:24 am
Feb 27, 2014, 8:36 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: A few here and there
Posts: 207
I live in the District and have the "new" DC drivers license. My last 4 trips (SFO, DTW, FLL and MSP) I have been stopped for having a "foreign" drivers license. This was Precheck and most people have no idea where the "district of columbia" is. The old license had "Washington, D.C." vs. District of Columbia.
Most of the TSA agents are really embarrassed when they realize what it is. I think this is more of a reflection on the state of our nations schools vs. training of the TSA. Regardless, it is annoying and a has caused laughs from the people behind me as well as the supervisors.
Most of the TSA agents are really embarrassed when they realize what it is. I think this is more of a reflection on the state of our nations schools vs. training of the TSA. Regardless, it is annoying and a has caused laughs from the people behind me as well as the supervisors.
Feb 27, 2014, 9:01 am
#35
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Prior to the advent of PreCheck, I lost track of the number of times that the TSA didn't recognize my NEXUS card or Canadian Driver's License. Of course, speaking to supervisors, filing complaints, etc. never did any good. It's a pathetic reflection on the training program (or lack thereof) for a job where a minimal level of knowledge is even required in the first place.
Feb 27, 2014, 9:07 am
#36
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Actually no. Based on my understanding, DC is conferred as a de facto state in term legislative power. So any law, rules, and policies originated by this legislative power should be considered as a state's power. Unless the Congress takes this away.
So unless the Congress wants to regulate drivers in DC, I will still see that as a de facto state ID/DL.
So unless the Congress wants to regulate drivers in DC, I will still see that as a de facto state ID/DL.
Feb 27, 2014, 9:18 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,528
YES they are all valid. It's not whether they are a "state" or not rather whether they meet REAL ID Act requirements which all states and U.S. territories do
Feb 27, 2014, 9:30 am
#38
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
What really bothered me is that at Walt Disney World and Costco... both in Central Florida, where there is a HUGE Puerto Rican population and large numbers of Puerto Rican visitors, I've been refused alcohol due to myy PR DL. With Disney calling security and a manager, and Costco actually calling the police.
Feb 27, 2014, 9:56 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP,AS MVPG,MR Platinum,HH Gold
Posts: 1,343
I had a TSA agent in Hawaii refuse to acknowledge that a NEXUS card was valid, despite it having "issued by Department of Homeland Security" on the back, and being item #3 on the list of "acceptable forms of ID". He wasn't happy if when I asked if he'd ever looked at the TSA website and suggested he ask for more training.
Feb 27, 2014, 11:15 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 23
Prior to the advent of PreCheck, I lost track of the number of times that the TSA didn't recognize my NEXUS card or Canadian Driver's License. Of course, speaking to supervisors, filing complaints, etc. never did any good. It's a pathetic reflection on the training program (or lack thereof) for a job where a minimal level of knowledge is even required in the first place.
Feb 27, 2014, 11:19 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
Transiting PHL from international arrivals to domestic connection a couple of years ago, I presented my British Passport to the TSA officer and answered a couple of her questions.
"Oh", she said, "You speak such good English. What language do you normally speak in your country?"
Cue every US citizen in the line doing their very best to hide away to avoid embarrassment ...
"Oh", she said, "You speak such good English. What language do you normally speak in your country?"
Cue every US citizen in the line doing their very best to hide away to avoid embarrassment ...
"Are you !@*&% kiding me?! What kind of a !@*&% moron doesn't know that they speak !@*&% English in !@*&% England?! How the !@*&% did you get this job?! Holy !@*&% *&&^ !"
Feb 27, 2014, 11:28 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Transiting PHL from international arrivals to domestic connection a couple of years ago, I presented my British Passport to the TSA officer and answered a couple of her questions.
"Oh", she said, "You speak such good English. What language do you normally speak in your country?"
"Oh", she said, "You speak such good English. What language do you normally speak in your country?"
Feb 27, 2014, 12:05 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AS MVPG; WN CP; Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 38
What really bothered me is that at Walt Disney World and Costco... both in Central Florida, where there is a HUGE Puerto Rican population and large numbers of Puerto Rican visitors, I've been refused alcohol due to myy PR DL. With Disney calling security and a manager, and Costco actually calling the police.
Feb 27, 2014, 12:45 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
Disney took care of it quite quickly. When security and the manager arrived, they had the ID book (which should have been at the bar), and they verified the authenticity of my ID. The manager even comped me a drink for the misunderstanding.
With Costco, even through the police officer vouched for the authenticity of my ID, they still refused to sell me the alcohol. It took a letter on law firm letterhead (thanks dad!) for Costco to see the error of their ways. I received a letter of apology and a free year of Costco membership. I now use my passport as my ID for going there though, since the same employee is still working there (at least she was last november).
Disney 1, Costco 0.
Feb 27, 2014, 12:50 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
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Posts: 35,400
...and to think that the only 
dd looks I get are when using $2 bills...
dd looks I get are when using $2 bills...