TSA problem, Sunday return from Philly.
Nov. 23 and almost my birthday. I went today and got a new Texas drivers license. mine doesn't expire till my birthday in 2013. but i have been down here, in this new town - with a new address for over two years. the law clearly says... well, something about getting a new license when you move. (not sure what it says but i bet there are laws being broken!)
(from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety website)
Address Change:
You are required to make a change of address with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) within 30 days. *new license.
So, i have been here over two years. (*law breaker) Now we all know i dont care if i'm breaking this silly law. I'm just so cheap i'm waiting for my license to expire before i get another. turns out it only cost $11. and a few hours of crazy time down at the DMV.
I never worried about my 'new license,' till the TSA wont let me board my flight in Philly on sunday. per usual i yawn and walk through the security lines. finally you reach the little man on the little stool and hand him your I.D. and boarding pass. he circles something on the boarding pass. glances at the license and glances at me. then he looks at the license again and stares at me. then he stands up and holds the license up beside my face and squints at me. next he 'turns his head - side to side' for a better view. mutters something about how "the eyes look simliar" but wont let me through security. "Sir, please stand off to the side while i call my supervisor." a few minutes later a lady shows up and does the same routine. "Sir, do you have other I.D.?" (sure lots of it - but it says Skip on it, not Bryan, like my drivers license) we dig through my wallet and find credit cards and business cards, but they say 'Skip' which doesn't match the Drivers License, or plane ticket. "Sir may i borrow these to show my supervisor?" (she takes my Drivers License and MasterCard and off she goes) More standing by the line as First Class creeps by me all wondering i'm sure whether i tried to sneak in a full size tooth paste or some other Federal Offense....
After almost forever another man returns. The Big TSA boss. We empty my wallet completely again on a counter. They all scrutinize my credit cards and marvel again about how i can have credit cards issued in my 'nickname'. He does the 'RCA puppy tilt your head and stare routine' again. But he cant see it either. then he asks if i have proof of auto insurance? yes, in my own name. so he smiles and hands me back all my stuff. i board the flight. no scan, no pat down.
Nov. 23 and almost my birthday. I went today and got a new Texas drivers license. mine doesn't expire till my birthday in 2013. but i have been down here, in this new town - with a new address for over two years. the law clearly says... well, something about getting a new license when you move. (not sure what it says but i bet there are laws being broken!)
(from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety website)
Address Change:
You are required to make a change of address with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) within 30 days. *new license.
So, i have been here over two years. (*law breaker) Now we all know i dont care if i'm breaking this silly law. I'm just so cheap i'm waiting for my license to expire before i get another. turns out it only cost $11. and a few hours of crazy time down at the DMV.
I never worried about my 'new license,' till the TSA wont let me board my flight in Philly on sunday. per usual i yawn and walk through the security lines. finally you reach the little man on the little stool and hand him your I.D. and boarding pass. he circles something on the boarding pass. glances at the license and glances at me. then he looks at the license again and stares at me. then he stands up and holds the license up beside my face and squints at me. next he 'turns his head - side to side' for a better view. mutters something about how "the eyes look simliar" but wont let me through security. "Sir, please stand off to the side while i call my supervisor." a few minutes later a lady shows up and does the same routine. "Sir, do you have other I.D.?" (sure lots of it - but it says Skip on it, not Bryan, like my drivers license) we dig through my wallet and find credit cards and business cards, but they say 'Skip' which doesn't match the Drivers License, or plane ticket. "Sir may i borrow these to show my supervisor?" (she takes my Drivers License and MasterCard and off she goes) More standing by the line as First Class creeps by me all wondering i'm sure whether i tried to sneak in a full size tooth paste or some other Federal Offense....
After almost forever another man returns. The Big TSA boss. We empty my wallet completely again on a counter. They all scrutinize my credit cards and marvel again about how i can have credit cards issued in my 'nickname'. He does the 'RCA puppy tilt your head and stare routine' again. But he cant see it either. then he asks if i have proof of auto insurance? yes, in my own name. so he smiles and hands me back all my stuff. i board the flight. no scan, no pat down.
BUT, i decide to get a new Drivers License with a current photo. now it will suffice till i shave my beard and cut my hair and they dont recognize the new me again!
Yikes this is gonna be a tough travel holiday this year...
May all your holiday wishes come true. xo Skip the Happy Pirate
