ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - Going to the airport can be stressful, especially if you’re running to catch a flight. Starting on October 1, 2020, you won’t even make it past the TSA checkpoint, if you don't have a passport, a passport card, or what's called a REAL ID.
"That's certainly something we don't want to see anybody experience," said Thomas Stoudt, the executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
The 9/11 Commission recommended security standards for sources of identification, and Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. Some states chose to automatically give residents REAL ID-compliant licenses, usually marked by a star in the upper right corner of the card.
Joe and Yvonne Tsiakals live near Denver, Colorado. Their driver's licenses already have that star.
"We weren't even aware why it was there," Yvonne said. "I just thought it was Colorado."
Other states like Pennsylvania made the REAL ID optional.
"We understand that REAL ID can be confusing, which is why we are working hard to communicate with our customers, so that they understand whether the REAL ID is right for them and what they need to do to prepare," said Kurt Myers, PennDOT deputy secretary for driver and vehicle services, at a press conference last year.
"In Pennsylvania, we've recently updated the format of the driver's license, so the driver's licenses look new, but you'll have to check your driver's license," Stoudt said. "If it does not have a gold star, even though it looks new, it's not a REAL ID."
At Lehigh Valley International Airport, PBS39 asked people if getting the REAL ID will be an issue.
"Obviously, it won't, for us, but I suppose if you're not prepared, it would be a real problem," Yvonne Tsiakals said.
"Pennsylvania needs to step it up, as far as getting what they need done to be REAL ID-compliant," said Andrew Poux, who lives in Douglasville, Berks County. "It's that simple. We pay enough. We should not have to have a passport to travel inside the United States."
"Having to remember to grab your passport to fly domestically is not something that people are accustomed to," Stoudt said. "We want to make sure that maybe having a REAL ID-compliant card, like a driver's license, really solves that problem, and you've got that card on your person at all times, typically anyway."
Getting that ID will take time and money, and travelers won’t be able to get one at the airport.
"Folks won't have an opportunity to be able to go back home to get a REAL ID-compliant card, like their passport or passport card, and come back and still make that flight," Stoudt warned.
Pennsylvania residents will need to go to either a PennDOT driver license center or a PennDOT REAL ID center. Applicants will need to bring original documents that prove their identity, social security number, current Pennsylvania residence and any legal name changes.
"I don't really know how much more it's going to cost us to go get a new driver's license when this goes into effect, but I know how much your passport costs, and that's pretty pricey these days," said Poux's wife Megan Kunkel. "I think, even for our children, it was over $100 with all of the shipping and stuff."
PennDOT says applicants will pay a one-time fee of $30 for the REAL ID, plus a renewal fee (which is currently $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license).
Regardless of the price, travelers say nothing is more important than safety.
"It's almost like what you have to do to go through security, so this is just another step," Yvonne Tsiakals said. "So, it's okay."
"It's extremely important to be able to identify people to know when there's a situation," Poux added. "It's there for a reason. We get that aspect. Just, Pennsylvania needs to be more on the ball."
Lehigh Valley residents can get their REAL ID on the same day by visiting the PennDOT REAL ID Center in Whitehall on 1101 MacArthur Road.
For a list of PennDOT locations to get a REAL ID, click HERE.
For a list of what documents to bring, click HERE.