TSA to charge $45 fee for traveling without REAL ID
Starting February 1, U.S. air travelers will pay a fee if they do not have a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
- Passengers can decline a facial scan and request a standard ID verification process instead.
- It is also legal to opt out of the full-body scanner, which will result in a physical pat-down by a TSA agent.
- Passengers who opt for alternative screening should be prepared for the process to take longer.
There are a lot of rules once you set foot in an airport, but some you don’t have to follow.
Presenting a REAL ID document? Yes, you do have to do that or face a $45 fee. Shoes off during security screening? No, that’s no longer a thing.
What about all the new technology at airports?
It is perfectly legal to opt out of the Transportation Security Administration’s scanning technology at airports. Passengers with a boarding pass that indicates they have been selected for enhanced screening may still be required to undergo the scan, but TSA says that “will occur in a very limited number of circumstances.”
While the TSA is legally obligated to respect your decision to opt out, you’ll need to be prepared for the screening process to take a bit longer.
If you have a need or preference against scanning technology during airport security screening, here’s how you can request alternative accommodations.
Can I deny a face scan at the airport security screening?
Yes, participation is voluntary. You’ll need to (politely) tell the TSA officer you don’t want to participate, and they should use the standard ID verification process. You shouldn’t lose your place in line.
If you do opt for the biometric scan, TSA says your photo and personal data are deleted after your identity is verified.
“TSA is using facial comparison technology at the airport to improve and automate identity verification of passengers, not for law enforcement or immigration enforcement purposes. Additionally, TSA does not tolerate racial profiling,” the agency states.
Can I opt out of the full-body scanner during TSA screening?
Yes, it is legal to deny the scan. You’ll need to (again, politely) tell the agent you are “opting out” of the scan with as much notice as you can. The agent may initially notify you that the scanner it is a safe tool, to see if you will reconsider, or they could immediately conduct a manual search – collquially known as a “pat down.”
“A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks. You may be required to adjust clothing during the pat-down,” TSA states on its website. “The officer will advise you of the procedure to help you anticipate any actions before you feel them. Pat-downs require sufficient pressure to ensure detection, and areas may undergo a pat-down more than once for the TSA officer to confirm no threat items are detected.”
Passengers with disabilities and/or mobility issues can also request to pass through the metal detector or undergo a pat-down.
It’s important to note that a pat-down should be done by an officer “of the same sex.” You may have to wait until an appropriate officer can assist you if no one is immediately available.
You should let the officer performing the pat down know about any mobility issues, difficulty staying in the same position for an extended period, if you have an external medical device or whether you have any areas of your body that are painful when touched.
You can request a chair to sit in if needed, as well as a private screening. If you do opt for a private screening, a second officer should be present.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at [email protected].
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