Passengers appeared to move smoothly through security checkpoints at John Glenn Columbus International Airport since a new, federal ID requirement was put in place Wednesday for flights within the United States.
"We saw smooth operations at airports across the region," said Jessica Mayle, regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration.
Travelers are supposed to have identification compliant with federal Real ID law, starting this week. Drivers' licenses that are compliant have a star in the corner of the ID card. People can fly with other forms of compliant identification like passports. Click here for a full list of compliant identification.
But, despite the May 7 deadline, head of Homeland Security Kristi Noem told a congressional panel that even people without a complaint ID may still be able to fly for now.
Noem said people “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, and that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements."
Mayle said airports are being given leeway to create extra screening procedures for noncompliant travelers.
"We have a range of tools and kind of layers of security that are behind the scenes that we can apply as necessary. Really every airport can design that operation plan with flexibility," Mayle said.
She said the TSA's goal is make sure the requirement doesn't slow down air travel.
"It might be moving some passengers to a different lane for extra screening. It might be delivering that screening in place. Pre-checked passengers that are not in compliance could receive standard screening. So there's a range of tools that can be applied," Mayle said.
Mayle said those passengers should give themselves extra time and consider bringing extra identifying documents, like a birth certificate or a court order for a name change.
"It's better than showing up with nothing, and we can still validate a non-real ID compliant driver's license. Again, give yourself extra time because you could be facing extra screening, but bring that government document if you don't have a compliant ID," she said.
Mayle said some may not realize they already have a compliant ID.
"I would say check your ID, because a lot of times you have that star in the corner and you took care of it a few years ago. We might not even realize you're in compliance, which is good," Mayle said.
REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that Homeland Security says is a more secure form of identification. It was a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005.
The commission recommended the government set security standards for state-issued drivers' licenses and IDs. The initiative was supposed to be rolled out in 2008, but the implementation has been repeatedly delayed.
Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, travelers will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
