REAL ID is now enforced, what does this mean at the Blue Grass Airport

Blue Grass Airport urges travelers to ensure they have the star symbol on their ID

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The long-anticipated REAL ID deadline has arrived Wednesday, and with enforcement now in effect, security lines at Blue Grass Airport and others across the nation are expected to look a bit different.

The Transportation Security Administration is now requiring travelers to present a REAL ID compliant license, marked by a star at the top, to pass through standard airport screening.

“So that person would basically be pulled aside and extra screening will be done on that part,” said Amy Caudill with Blue Grass Airport. “We’re trying to do our best to get everyone through and go through that screening process, of course that is a little bit more difficult at some of the larger airports and that might be where you have some more challenges,” said Caudill.

The REAL ID Act, originally passed 20 years ago in response to the 9/11 attacks, was designed to create a national standard for license security. Some travelers at Blue Grass Airport say they’re glad to see the rule finally enforced.

“It’s always better to know that you feel a little safer on your plane. You know we’ve been around for a while, so we’ve lived through hijackings and all that, so having that extra level of security is better for me,” said airport travelers Michael and Mary Mirre.

According to state officials, 36% of eligible Kentuckians (over a million people) now have a REAL ID. Blue Grass Airport reports that roughly 80% of the travelers they screen are using a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.

“So keep in mind that there are plenty of people out there who are using a US passport to travel instead, and in addition when you look at that 30% number that’s also referring to people who maybe don’t even fly. That said though we definitely recommend that people get a REAL ID because sometimes you don’t know for emergency purposes when you might need to fly,” Caudill added.

For more information on how to schedule a REAL ID appointment, click here.