Latest news with #RealID
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The Independent
11 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Not the ‘realest ID': Waffle House card won't get you through airport checkpoints, TSA warns X poster
In a lighthearted yet increasingly necessary clarification, TSA confirmed that, despite internet jokes, a Waffle House employee ID does not meet the standards of a federally recognized Real ID. The chatter started when Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci tweeted a bright-yellow laminated Waffle House ID with his name and meteorologist title on it this week, writing, 'TSA might want RealID, but I have the realest ID.' The post quickly went viral, racking up over 2.2 million views. It even caught the attention of the official TSA account two days later, which replied, 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry).' The humorous exchange with the meteorologist and eatery super fan brings to mind the Waffle House Index, an informal metric used by FEMA to assess the severity of natural disasters, especially hurricanes, based on whether Waffle House restaurants in affected areas stay open. Since nearly all Waffle House locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays, the chain is known for its disaster preparedness and resilience. As former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate told the Wall Street Journal in 2011, "If you get there and the Waffle House is closed? That's really bad. That's where you go to work." The Waffle House Index uses a simple three-color system to reflect the severity of a disaster's impact on a local area. A green rating means the Waffle House is fully operational and serving its full menu, indicating that the area has experienced minimal damage or disruption. A yellow rating signifies that the restaurant is open but operating on a limited menu, often due to power outages, staffing shortages, or supply chain issues, suggesting moderate impact but still-manageable conditions. A red rating means the Waffle House is completely closed, which is rare and typically signals severe damage, unsafe conditions, or significant infrastructure failure in the area. The ID kerfuffle recalls TSA's recent post about using Costco IDs at the airport security counter. "We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not," the TSA said in a post last week on social media. The TSA Costco post came a few days after Chowhound published an article titled, "How Your Costco Card Could Save You At The Airport." They later updated it to clarify that "TSA does not explicitly state you can use a Costco card as a form of identification.'
Observer
15 hours ago
- Observer
How to avoid flight cancellations and delays
Delays and cancellations are an inevitable reality for air travellers, whether they're caused by staffing shortages, weather events or other unusual disruptions. You can do everything right — triple-check your travel insurance, bring your Real ID and expedite your passage through security — and still be affected, particularly during the busy summer travel season. But there are tricks to minimising the risk. Here are a handful of tips to avoid the hassle of a delayed flight or cancellation. Fly earlier in the day Booking the earliest flight possible can help you avoid delays, skip the crowds and save money, said Hope Williams, 41, a former flight attendant for 15 years. And don't be discouraged by a predawn trek to the airport: 'The earlier the better,' she said. Flight delays can ripple through the system; a single delayed flight can affect later flights that use the same plane, crew or airport resources. 'I always advise the early departure because typically earlier in the day you don't have those delays,' Williams said. Another factor that helps keep earlier flights on time is the weather, since thunderstorms are more common in the afternoon and evening. You'll also have more recourse if and when things go wrong: In cases where an early flight is canceled or delayed, travellers may also have more options to reschedule their flight. Fly direct, or with a longer layover. One of the best ways to avoid delays and cancellations is to book a direct flight. The reason is simple: Direct flights eliminate the possibility of missed connections. If booking a direct flight isn't an option, you can still help mitigate the risk by choosing a flight with a layover of two or three hours. Anything less — especially anything less than an hour — may add to your stress and lead to a missed connecting flight. Sticking with the same carrier on multistop flights may also help ease the stress of rebooking in the event of a delay or cancellation. Consider a midweek flight Flying midweek can save you money. But it can also help you avoid delays associated with higher passenger volume. Williams recommends flying on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the weekend travel crowds. On those midweek flights, she said she tended to see fewer families and more experienced passengers travelling solo, which made for calmer flights. Download your airline's app and check the weather Before travelling, download your airline's app or have the webpage handy for your carrier's travel advisories, which can include up-to-date information about delays. Spotting potential snags in advance can help you be proactive about making alternative arrangements. (In some cases, airlines will issue waivers to allow you to modify your trip in advance of foreseeable disruptions.) As an extra layer of caution, check the weather before and after booking, particularly during peak seasons for hurricanes, heavy rain and wildfires. Weather-related travel disruptions are not always predictable, but sometimes passengers can get ahead of storms. Look for updates from your airports Check both your arrival and departure airports for news of delays. This is especially important during busy travel seasons, including summer months and holidays. Larger international airports can be susceptible to delays during peak travel season, according to Williams, who said she avoids flying in July. While Williams doesn't advise avoiding these airports, she said that summer travellers can avoid complications by ensuring that they bring the appropriate documents and get to the airport early. — The New York Times
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
TSA issues important clarification about ID cards required for flying
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. The post amassed over 2.2 million views and thousands of replies - including one from the official TSA account. 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),' the organization's comical response read. People all across the globe were entertained by the post and TSA's involvement. 'How does one even acquire this?' one user asked. 'You didn't have to flex on us like this,' a different person wrote, while another said, 'Where do I get my Waffle House identification?' 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),' TSA replied 'That's the most American ID,' someone else stated. Another admitted: 'I have never been so jealous of an internet stranger.' 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. 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 (stock image) The TSA made it clear in a Facebook post this week that the membership card cannot act as a substitute. 'We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as REAL ID because it absolutely does not,' the agency wrote. The TSA's response to the hilarious ID 'hack' sparked over 700 comments. Many users were amused by the idea, while others insisted the Costco card should actually count as a valid form of ID.
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Time Out
Don't have a Real ID? The TSA just made your airport experience easier
Apple just gave frequent flyers—and Real ID procrastinators—something to look forward to this fall: a digital passport option in Apple Wallet. The feature, part of the next iOS update, lets users create a digital ID using their U.S. passport. Even better, the Transportation Security Administration just approved it as a Real ID alternative—but only for certain types of travel. ' Digital ID offers a secure and private new way for users to store and present their ID information using their iPhone and Apple Watch,' Apple said in a recent release. 'Users can seamlessly create and add a Digital ID to Apple Wallet using a U.S. passport.' This is surely something iPhone users will get excited about, but here's the fine print: the new feature is not a full passport replacement. It's only approved for domestic travel and only at TSA checkpoints that support it. You'll still need your physical passport to get through customs, immigration or any international border. But for domestic travel? It's officially Real ID compliant. As Real ID enforcement began in May, many travelers found themselves scrambling, either upgrading their licenses or falling back on passports just to fly from one city to another. Apple's digital ID is now a workaround for those who still haven't made the switch, letting users tap through security instead of rifling through their bulging bags to flash a physical document. The TSA confirmed that digital passports in Apple Wallet will be accepted at supported domestic checkpoints—with 250 airports already on board, including LAX, JFK and O'Hare—but they are clear about one thing: bring your real passport if you're going abroad. Period. Alongside the digital ID, Apple's also polishing up boarding passes and adding new travel tools to Wallet to streamline your airport routine. It's a smart step forward, but it's not a replacement yet, so keep that passport handy, at least until international travel catches up.
Techday NZ
16-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Snowflake, Acxiom launch AI platform for marketing data
Snowflake and Acxiom have announced a global strategic partnership to deliver an AI-powered marketing data infrastructure designed to provide brands with secure, transparent, and cloud-native access to marketing data and tools. The initiative aims to shift brands away from traditional "black box" agency models by enabling direct access to proprietary data, identity, and collaboration tools within their own Snowflake environments. This new foundation leverages Snowflake's AI Data Cloud to allow clients of Interpublic Group (IPG) to utilise privacy-by-design technologies, zero-copy data sharing, and advanced AI features at scale. Strategic goals According to the companies, the collaboration will bring IPG's advanced data and identity solutions, including Acxiom's Real ID and predictive audience tools, directly into brands' cloud environments. With operations in over 100 countries, IPG will provide these capabilities to brands globally, focusing on modernising data practices and enabling real-time personalisation and campaign optimisation. "IPG and Acxiom are redefining how brands leverage data and AI by building on Snowflake's secure, unified platform. Our AI Data Cloud provides the robust foundation necessary to bring IPG's innovative vision for a modern, AI-driven marketing ecosystem to life, enabling seamless collaboration and the deployment of advanced AI capabilities for their clients," Snowflake's Chief Marketing Officer, Denise Persson, said. The infrastructure will enable brands to activate and manage first-party data, achieve improved audience segmentation, and gain increased control over their data flows. By eliminating the need to transfer sensitive data between platforms, the solution aims to enhance security and privacy while continuing to support cross-channel marketing activity. Technology and privacy features Within this ecosystem, IPG's Interact platform will be available in marketers' Snowflake environments via the Native App Framework. Brands will have access to privacy-focused tools such as collaborative data clean rooms and cross-channel identity recognition. These features are designed to secure sensitive data and facilitate collaboration without compromising privacy. "Every marketer and business leader wants speed, flexibility, and meaningful results from their data and martech investments. By partnering with Snowflake, we're eliminating data silos that previously prevented marketers from achieving truly integrated customer views and real-time personalization," said Jarrod Martin, Global CEO of Acxiom. Brands are expected to benefit from AI-powered campaign optimisation, predictive performance analytics, and real-time content personalisation through Interact, which is now directly powered by Snowflake Cortex. IPG and Acxiom are continuing to prioritise privacy and secure data collaboration, building on previous partnerships and integration with industry platforms such as Mediaocean Prisma and The Trade Desk. Acxiom's Real ID will be integrated into Snowflake Data Clean Rooms, supporting zero-copy data sharing and enabling collaborative activities such as audience insights, ad verification, and omnichannel marketing measurement. Snowflake, IPG, and Acxiom also plan to establish a joint "solutions hub" to develop new AI and marketing tools, and provide early access to emerging Snowflake technologies and partner ecosystems. Impact on client operations The partnership is already contributing to client success in several sectors, according to both companies. IPG Mediabrands is supporting a global toy manufacturer in adopting a real-time advertising investment strategy, powered by Snowflake-based data insights. KINESSO is utilising Snowflake to provide a commerce company with comprehensive global channel analysis to inform advertising investment decisions. In the finance sector, Acxiom is helping institutions integrate cloud infrastructure with Snowflake to establish data governance and privacy-centric marketing operations. By expanding Acxiom's role within the Snowflake Partner Network, IPG aims to maintain an ongoing commitment to data-driven marketing and secure early access to the platform's developments. The companies say this will support continued improvements for clients in technical capabilities, data management, and AI adoption. The collaboration aims to provide brands with direct control, transparency, and efficiency in marketing data use, while maintaining privacy and regulatory compliance standards in line with industry developments.
