Travelers brace for airport chaos, TSA confusion as REAL ID deadline arrives

Travelers are bracing for chaos when the new REAL ID restrictions are finally enforced Wednesday — with major airports prepping for widespread confusion and Americans scrambling to get their hands on compliant identification before jetting off.

Starting from May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that aren’t “REAL ID” compliant when boarding domestic flights in the United States.

In preparation for the rollout, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been warning for months that travelers could be denied access to flights if they don’t have the enhanced IDs, which — in most states — features a star or flag symbol in the top corner of the card.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged Tuesday, though, that air travelers who still lack appropriate IDs will still be able to fly — for now — but they should prep for enhanced security procedures at airports across the country.