Flying With Dogs

by Amy Fernandez

Just when you thought flying with dogs couldn’t get any worse, well it has… The new TSA ID requirements go into effect just in time for that annual grueling trek to Westminster. Specifically, beginning January 22, 2018, ID requirements at those delightful TSA airport security checkpoints will be stepped up. A detailed list of TSA acceptable forms of ID can be accessed at tsa.gov.

But here’s the deal for most of us. TSA will continue to accept state-issued driver’s licenses because at this point every state is either REAL ID compliant or has been granted an extension to implement this amended license condition. According to the TSA website, if you are concerned that your current driver’s license or photo ID may not be accepted you can apply for an alternative identification documents. Unfortunately, TSA has posted no timeline for completing this process to obtain alternative ID documents. However, according to their ASK TSA hotline, that apparently should not be necessary for anyone traveling to Westminster. Likewise, TSA has not implemented any additional security requirements for flying with dogs in cabin or cargo.

And just in case TSA will not accept your ID when you show up for your flight, according to their current fact sheet, you will be offered the option of an identity verification procedure. As described, it sounds simple and straightforward but …we’ll see how that goes. The TSA bulletin recommends allowing two hours for security screening but we all know better than that. Personally, I suggest at least twice as much time for anyone contending with LaGuardia traffic. Take it from someone who has been there recently; Between the lack of signage or parking, the mystifying shuttle buses, and the constant rearrangement of services, it is truly a horror show over there these days.

I can offer one encouraging bit of information to you. If you call the TSA hotline someone will actually answer the phone within a reasonable amount of time, so give it a try:

866-289-9673 – 8 AM-10 PM ET

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=138534

Posted by admin on Jan 18 2018. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.