Flying in the US after losing ID

[Stinky]

I'm wondering if any BHs have experience in flying within the US without the typical government issued drivers license or passport.

While traveling away from home, one person in our party has misplaced his ID. We have hope that the ID will turn up; however, we are not optimistic.

Our primary question is about getting through TSA security. Through some quick Googling, we found what looks like a pretty good article that says how to do it. Bring along whatever personal information you have; give plenty of extra time; etc. The article recommends at least two pieces of ID with the person's name on it, and allowing two hours of additional time at the airport. Article link follows:

https://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/s ... or-stolen/

Our secondary question is about checking bags. Can we check bags and get boarding passes at the airline check-in counter without an ID, or do we need to go to TSA first? We have a call into the airline, but haven't gotten an answer yet.

Do any BHs have experience with this? Thanks for any help.

[fortfun]

In the old days, it was easy but is getting harder each day. Soon, you'll even need to have an enhanced driver's license, that shows a star in the upper right hand corner, to clear TSA. I'd check the bag under another person, in the party's name. Good luck!

https://www.tsa.gov/real-id

[Flyer24]

Thread is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum.

[galawdawg]

From the TSA website:

Forgot Your ID?

In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You will be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you chose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process.

TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time.

[Detroittl]

Happened to me once. Waited in normal TSA line told agent I lost ID and they asked for a Credit card or something else with my name. Had to do full pat down. Took about 15 minutes of extra time total.

[spectec]

I assume your friend doesn't have a passport that a friend or relative could retrieve and overnight to him/her. (It is valid for TSA and airlines whether flying domestically or internationally, and it is automatically Real ID compliant).

Incidentally, anyone who applies for or renews a passport should consider getting the passport card as well. Among other benefits, it can be substituted for a lost drivers license, thus avoiding the necessity of keeping up with a passport for domestic travel. Like the passport, the passport card is also automatically Real ID compliant.

[Steelersfan]

I did about a year ago, both ways on a week-end outing. I left my passport at home and forgot my driver's license. I had to go through an extended TSA review but got through both times with about a 15 minute delay. All I had was the usual things you carry in a wallet - credit cards, medical insurance cards, library card, etc.

[SVT]

It happened to me a few years ago. It's not too big of a deal but will take some extra time to get through security. The TSA agent will call someone who will have a bunch of personal information about you. The TSA agent will relay several personal questions to you to confirm your identity.

ETA: I lost my wallet during my trip, so had no other documentation. No CCs, medical cards, nothing at all to show them.

[Lalamimi]

happened to one of the girls with my daughter on a trip (in the US). She left wallet in taxi. She made a police report and they gave her documentation for travel. She did not get into any of the clubs with them, however...

[Stinky]

Great feedback. Thanks so much.

Not all documents are lost, so he’ll have several things to demonstrate his identity. He should be fine - just take more time.

Thanks again to all.

[whomever]

My wife's wallet was stolen on vacation a few years ago, at the airport as it were. The responding officer gave her a smudged xerox of the report, which served as ID for the next legs of her journey. It's all good because bad people can't print up a fake report.

[Cycle]

No problem, i lost my ID once somewhere in vegas during a bachelor party. They just asked a bunch of questions and inspected the other papers i had on me to verify my identity.... took maybe 5 minutes of special treatment. If you often get profiled, you may need to allocate substantial time to getting through the process.

[sco]

This happens all the time, just show up a bit early.

[wilshuer]

I did this a few years ago in Denver, when leaving the rental lot and showed my license, put it into the car door pocket. When I went back to airport for departure, realized I had done that when pulling my wallet out at security. Not having time to get it from rental car, I told the story to the TSA agent. Showed a credit card, club card with picture, and employee ID with picture. Got the “special treatment”, full pat down, wipe tests, hand search bag, etc. Took about 5 mins.

[Stinky]

Yesterday was the time to see how flying without ID worked for us.

We took the advice of others to arrive at the airport quite early. Checking baggage without an ID was a breeze, and took no extra time.

TSA Security was another matter. We were at one of those airports that has multiple TSA screening points. Our flight was at one of just eight gates served by the screening point, so TSA was pretty lightly staffed. The whole process cost us about an hour of time, of which about 50 minutes was waiting for the right TSA person to show up.

We made the flight with no problem.

Thanks to all who shared their experiences.

[bgreader253]

A friend left his passport behind in the rental car when he went to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris. He was personally escorted by French security personnel thru gate after 15 minutes of questioning. He may have other IDs and they probably don't care that he's leaving their country! When he landed in US, he was escorted by TSA from gate to be questioned and verified citizenship . Maybe an extra 15 minutes or so. It's possible to re entry without passport but nerve wracking. And he got to skip the long queues!

[PoppyA]

Contrary to popular belief, An ID is not required for air flight, it only speeds things up for everyone.

[bgreat]

A friend left his passport behind in the rental car when he went to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris. He was personally escorted by French security personnel thru gate after 15 minutes of questioning. He may have other IDs and they probably don't care that he's leaving their country! When he landed in US, he was escorted by TSA from gate to be questioned and verified citizenship . Maybe an extra 15 minutes or so. It's possible to re entry without passport but nerve wracking. And he got to skip the long queues!

That's a different kind of agency: on the French side he was most likely escorted by border agents and not security. On the US side it will have been the CBP and not the TSA. Very different agencies, looking for very different kinds of things - probably have different kind of access to data too. Also very different powers if they decide they don't like you for some reason.

[lthenderson]

Thanks to all who shared their experiences.

Thanks for letting everyone know how it worked out for you. I always hate reading through threads only to never learn how things turned out.