Using PIV card to clear TSA checkpoint
Sep 5, 2019, 12:32 pm
#1
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Using PIV card to clear TSA checkpoint
Anyone here have any experience using a PIV card to clear a TSA checkpoint at an airport? It's on their list of acceptable ID but just wondering if practical experience is different given that few are probably ever used at a checkpoint.
I guess theoretically the TSOs should be familiar with them given that they're all issued one as their work ID, but you never know and they look slightly different agency to agency.
I guess theoretically the TSOs should be familiar with them given that they're all issued one as their work ID, but you never know and they look slightly different agency to agency.
Sep 5, 2019, 1:59 pm
#2
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Here is an FTer's experience which was reported in the Acceptable Identification for Domestic Travel [Consolidated Thread]:
I usually use a PIV-II card and it confuses them about 10% of the time, even though it's the same badge they have, just a different agency. I use it because a) it makes a noise when it falls on the floor, so I'm more likely to notice it, and b) I often need to have it to work at my destination, so I know that I have it. I've dropped my DL and nearly lost it enough times because it's thin and lightweight that I try to avoid using it at the checkpoints.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:24 pm
#3
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I've started having one other issue recently - the UV stamp on the surface can wear off and then they don't like it at TSA. Our badge readers (or cards) are very short range and I have to use a badge holder that has no front surface, so the front face of the badge is exposed to more wear. One TSA agent mentioned that they see more worn off coatings from the agency mine is issued through than others, so it may have to do with card vendor, too. The UV coating on mine seems worn after about 2.5 years.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:33 pm
#4
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AFAICT - even there is a standard design, each agency's PIV is different. So it all depends on the TSO.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:36 pm
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: DCA
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I've started having one other issue recently - the UV stamp on the surface can wear off and then they don't like it at TSA. Our badge readers (or cards) are very short range and I have to use a badge holder that has no front surface, so the front face of the badge is exposed to more wear. One TSA agent mentioned that they see more worn off coatings from the agency mine is issued through than others, so it may have to do with card vendor, too. The UV coating on mine seems worn after about 2.5 years.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:51 pm
#6
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Most of the interagency variation I've seen is the color combinations and agency logo. I thought the basic layout and design was fixed by the rules for the badge.
Sep 5, 2019, 2:56 pm
#7
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So RFID isn't an issue, I have a fancy pants holder
they gave me that normally blocks RFID but allows you to unblock it without taking the card out to make tapping easier. The issue is in order to login to my computer I need to take it out and slide it into a chip reader. That seems to add a lot of wear.
Sep 6, 2019, 11:07 am
#8
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Anyone here have any experience using a PIV card to clear a TSA checkpoint at an airport? It's on their list of acceptable ID but just wondering if practical experience is different given that few are probably ever used at a checkpoint.
I guess theoretically the TSOs should be familiar with them given that they're all issued one as their work ID, but you never know and they look slightly different agency to agency.
I guess theoretically the TSOs should be familiar with them given that they're all issued one as their work ID, but you never know and they look slightly different agency to agency.
Jan 20, 2020, 8:56 pm
#9
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One issue with using my PIV to clear TSA came up today. At BOS this afternoon they were using the ID scanner machines that find your flight info. Apparently the new machines don’t recognize PIVs yet and the TSO asked me for an alternative ID. I gave him my drivers license since I didn’t feel like pressing my luck.
Jan 20, 2020, 9:37 pm
#10
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One of the problems with recognition is card design variations. Specifically, not all agencies using all fields. So to an ID scanner, PIVs are not really standardized, unlike other forms of IDs.
Jan 21, 2020, 10:37 am
#11
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True not all agencies use all fields but what fields you can use and the layout is standardized so it should be able to pull your name and expiration date regardless of what other fields are or aren’t present.
Jan 21, 2020, 10:18 pm
#12
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AFAICT - ID scanner is not as smart as you think. So even with standardized layout, use or non-use of a field can be seen as totally different.