My family and I recently returned from a really fun Miami getaway… but we encountered a hiccup that we’ve never experienced before. The night before our flight, my brother packed his bag and took a bus from NYC to my parent’s home in New Jersey.
At 4:30 in the morning, just as we loaded the last of our bags into the car to catch our 6:15am flight from Newark, my brother suddenly had a look of horror plastered across his face. He realized that he left his bag containing his wallet (including all of his valid photo identification) on the NJ Transit bus!
My first instinct was to have him retrieve his bag at the bus depot once it opened for the day, and then have him hop on a later flight to Miami. We booked all of our tickets using Southwest points, so canceling and rebooking a flight for him would not be an issue.
But then another idea dawned upon me (knowing how frustrating and difficult it is to retrieve items left behind while traveling). I did a quick Google search about flying without an ID, and I figured he may have a shot to board with us as planned after this discovery from the official TSA website:
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 may 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.
photo credit: TSA
We decided to roll with it. If that failed, he could always just drive back home. After all, at the very least, it would be an interesting case study to report back on.
Luckily my parents had my brother’s childhood passport collecting dust in the garage filing cabinet. With that in hand, we went to the airport together and hoped for the best.
To everyone’s surprise the process of getting my brother through security was insanely simple. After explaining the situation of the lost bag to the TSA agent and presenting the expired passport (who looked at it perplexingly after seeing the photo of my brother as a kid, while blurting out “How old are you, man?”), a supervisor was called over.
After about 10 minutes of questioning to confirm his identity and a pat down similar to an “opt-out” pat down, my brother was cleared. When it came to the return flight at MIA, my brother indicated that the procedure was the same, and actually faster.
Here are some tips to help you if you might find yourself in a similar scenario:
The answer is always no if you don’t show up.
Having to miss or delay a trip because of a lost or stolen ID stinks, but with anything in life, you’re not getting anywhere without showing up. In our case, we were thisclose to changing my brother’s travel plans, but we gave it a shot and it worked.
Be prepared to answer a lot of questions and to do some explaining
The first order of business is to explain your situation and be honest. The amount and type of questions asked will vary from person to person until the agent feels he’s gathered enough information to confirm your identity.
Some ID is better than no ID
Of course being without a valid government-issued ID is stressful enough, but if you can, try to bring anything that might help your case in proving who you say you are (work ID, expired passport, photo of your license, ATM card, Costco card, etc.). I’m not sure if a “verified” social media account would help, but anything is better than nothing.
You have no shot at traveling overseas
Let’s be honest, it’s a gamble to try to fly without a valid ID on domestic flights, and I’m sorry to say it, but you have no shot trying to fly internationally without a valid passport. In the case where you have an international flight, your best bet would be getting an emergency passport (my experience getting a same-day passport was super easy), or paying a visit to a US Embassy office wherever you might be abroad.
Bottom Line
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised that flying without an ID was a seamless experience for my brother, but of course it’s totally a YMMV experience. Without a doubt, I believe that the experience will vary greatly from individual to individual, for more reasons than one.
Oh, and an update about the bag: it’s been over a week and my brother has many dozens of calls and several visits to NJ Transit to try to retrieve the bag. NJ Transit’s response: “we haven’t checked for you yet… sometimes we don’t check the under-the-bus compartment for several weeks”. There you have it – that’s NJ Transit working hard to keep the public safe!
Have you ever had an experience where you were able to catch a flight (or were denied) without a valid ID? I’d love to hear more stories in the comments!
Same thing happened to my daughter, though her purse was stolen the night before her flight. She was able to use an expired passport, which TSA said was actually good for a year past it’s expiration date for ID purposes. She did not have to go thru any additional screening.
Wow interesting data point! Glad she was able to fly but that stinks about her purse being stolen. :(
I have a second wallet, which has my global entry card as a backup ID, a credit card I never use, my priority pass card, and a $20. I take that wallet when I travel and I keep it separate from my person, on my backpack or my carry-on. That way in case I lose my main wallet I have a backup. For international travel I’m lucky to have both a U.S. and Spanish passport, so I keep those two separate as well.
This is an excellent idea! I️ think I’ll do the same going forward. Thanks so much for the inspiration
While I never got on a plane without an ID, I DID manage to get on a plane without a boarding pass (pre 9/11). Second leg got changed by carrier. I lost track of that boarding pass. Carrier noted I was scheduled to be on the new flight. Put me they the wringer, held up the friggin plane for almost an hour (last flight of day), but I got on, then apologized to about 50 ppl waiting on me. Everyone I worked with decided I was the salesperson of the year after that!
Wow! What a story! Glad it worked out and thanks for sharing :)
I lost my Drivers License while in between flights at ATL, and I didn’t realize it until I was waiting for my bag at my final destination. I didn’t have any picture ID, but I did have health insurance cards, credit cards, etc. as well as a picture of my Drivers License and Passport on my phone backed up in the Cloud.
TSA asked me questions, I got the pat down and bag thoroughly checked, but then I was free to go. The whole process took about 20 minutes – which ironically, I think was less time then if I had to go through the regular security line at that time!
Now I keep my Global Entry picture ID on me in a separate travel bag just in case it happens again. It was stressful, but a smooth process!
Similar to John, I’ve emailed scanned copies of our passports to myself. The email can be summoned from anywhere and could be helpful.
Great idea, John and Michael, about segregating the GE card as emergency back-up.
I️ also keep backup photos of my IDs and email and also send a copy to my family members who are traveling with my as well. Always great to be more than prepared!
I once left my wallet in a cab on the way to the airport and thankfully I had my concealed carry firearm license in my backpack. No problamo!
Thanks- great information
Similar situation. Left my driver’s license in a rental car. Luckily my atm card had my picture. Lots of questions and extra attention at the counter and security, but they were very cooperative and understanding. In fact, the lady at the ticket counter said “you aren’t stupid, you just travel too much. It was bound to happen eventually.”
Like any other situation, just be nice and honest. You’ll find people to be very helpful when you need it.
Lost my wallet while filling up my rental car. Called my wife, who sent me a picture of my passport, which I leave at home. After the supervisor asked a few questions, was able to get through TSA with no additional security check.
My cousin and I were dropped off at Tampa International by her parents. We were running late to make our flight so in all the hurry she left her travel purse in her parents car. She didn’t realize this until she went to remove her ticket to check the flight number. After a quick panic I assured her that she could board without her ID as I work for an airline and have known passengers to board my flight without much issue after explaining their situation. There were a few questions asked and she had a quick pat down and we went straight to the gate. Quiet simple!
In another incident, I watched as a young man was allowed to pass through security at BHM (Birmingham) with no ID of any type on his person. He had no luggage at all and his boarding pass was a print at home ticket. He was given a thorough pat down and then allowed to board his flight to ATL (Atlanta). So as you can see, it is easily possible to board a domestic flight without ID.
if your state will allow it, get a non drivers license along with your drivers license. Use the non drivers license any time you need to show an id as it is a legal id. That way you will be always have your drivers license to be able to rent a car since you aren’t pulling it out as and id, you chances off losing it are reduced.
I was at the New Orleans airport, getting ready to go through security when I couldn’t find my ID, along with my major credit cards. I went crazy looking for it in my carry on bag to no avail. I did have a few store credit cards but none with photos of me. I had to answer several questions from security, but was allowed to get on the plane within a half hour. I worried all the way home about having to cancel all my major credit cards and getting a new driver’s license, etc. But after unpacking my checked luggage, I found my ID in my beach bag that I had used the day before. Boy was I happy to see it.
Consider getting a wallet size US Passport “ID Card” when you renew your US Passport. Keep both US Passport and US Passport ID card in separate concealed places, ie. hidden inside travel carry-on, or slide Passport ID Card inside the back of smart phone protector case vs. storing the IDs together with State Driver ID in a visible pocket or purse wallet. Will still need your regular US Passport for travel out of the US, but the US Passport ID card alone is great for backup or primary domestic travel identification requirements.
Checked my coat at last minute flying out of Chicago about 4 years ago. Realized as I went to security…that my ID was in the pocket. Had my Sams card with a really bad picture and a check made out to me with my address on it. Went throught TSA and security with a few questions but did get to fly
He was luckier than me. A few years ago, Jet Blue refused to let me get on the entrance line, I had to taxi back and forth to my home to get my driver”s license and even then missed the plane. Subsequently. a TSA officer told me that I could have produced other substantiating information.
When we travel, I carry Mike’s NEXUS card in my wallet and mine is his. Won’t work for international, but we’ve both (temporarily) lost our wallets and I always carry our NEXUS cards in case we are rerouted through a Canadian airport.
Similar story to others. I was catching a 6 am flight from CLT to EWR and while about 5 people back from security checkpoint realized I did not have my license. I stayed calm, when I got up to the TSA agent I told her i forgot my license and I mentioned where it was and how I forgot it. I was going to re-book my flight.
Like you said, honesty is best policy. The TSA agent proceeded to talk me into waiting and if I had a prescription with my name on it that would work. Well, I had a debit card, 2 credit cards and a prescription so they let me pass. I had a thorough pat down and they examined my bags thoroughly.
Overall it took about 15 minutes – not bad at all. And the two agents – one for pat down and one to check bags were very friendly and pleasant. I’ll add two more suggestions to your list …
1) always carry your essential prescriptions in your carry-on … who would have thought it would serve as ID.
2) stay calm and pleasant – I fully expected I was going to have to re-book my flight, go home and get my license. I feel as if my calm, peaceful exterior (totally freaking out on inside) worked to my advantage as TSA went out of their way to help me.
We’ll see what happens on my return from EWR to CLT but your blog post gives me confidence it will be okay.