TSA issues important clarification about ID cards
Published: Updated:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been forced to issue a hilarious statement about which ID cards qualify as official identification while traveling.
It came after a user on X, formerly known as Twitter , posted a picture of a bright yellow Waffle House customer card with the caption, 'TSA might want REAL ID, but I have the realest ID.' It read 'Matthew Cappucci, Meteorologist,' with an American flag in the right corner.
Other comments read: 'This is an outrage. Waffle House trumps TSA all day every day,' and, 'This is your best tweet yet, @TSA.' One X user replied by posting an image of a Blockbuster membership card, writing, 'Will this do?' Cappucci followed up his post by writing: 'One of my greatest life accomplishments is being one of the only 90 people in this world that Waffle House follows.'
It comes after the TSA responded to travelers who attempted to use their Costco cards as valid ID at the airport. US travelers are now required to have a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight , with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it.
Still, some hopeful vacationers believed their trusty Costco membership cards would be their golden ticket through security. The TSA made it clear in a Facebook post this week that the membership card cannot act as a substitute.
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'We've had US families stay at Aldourie, the jewel in our portfolio, with as little as a month's notice.' Such new patterns reflect a post-pandemic reluctance among UK travellers to book in advance, having become accustomed during international lockdowns to a more uncertain world and developing more spontaneous travel habits. The unpredictability of the US economy and world events may also be a contributing factor. • 16 of the most beautiful places in Scotland Hoteliers also point to an increase in guests actively seeking ways to save money, opting for in-room dining over restaurant meals, or picnicking in their rooms, which can be good news, keeping tables available for speculative diners. At the opposite end of the market, while the US market isn't key for camping and glamping, those of us looking to visit Scotland under canvas can still benefit from these new booking trends. 'Across the UK, generally the lead time has shortened and bookings are coming in later, especially on [glamping site] Canopy & Stars,'' says Emily Enright of Sawday's. 'There is a marked increase in bookings 2-4 weeks out and even those within seven days, pointing to greater availability.' According to Dan Yates, founder and MD of the camping booking site while it might seem quiet, it's really not. 'Some 66,000 people have already booked for Scotland this year — 23 per cent up on last year,' he says. 'However, booking value has not spiked, pointing both to lower prices and people booking lower-priced accommodation and taking their own tent or tourer rather than glamping.' • These are my favourite almost-secret beauty spots in Scotland If this has whet your appetite for an early summer Scottish sortie, don't get carried away and turn up on spec expecting a bargain (or an empty pitch!). Buck the trend and book ahead, but push for the best deal, especially midweek, when you might find you can negotiate added extras. The same goes for booking tickets forvisitor attractions, for which demand remains high among day-trippers as well as overseas visitors. And arm yourself with ideas from our list of oft-overlooked beautiful places that are quiet even at peak times. Where's your favourite place to visit in Scotland? Let us know in the comments below
