“Security is everyone’s responsibility,” a pre-corded message announced over the loudspeakers in Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport, Sunday. February 1 marked the start of enforcement by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of a penalty for travelers who still don’t ha ve a government issued Real ID. “I do have a Real ID. Drivers licenses in Texas have been Real IDs for awhile now,” said Denise Sanders. She and her partner Roger Soden are teachers from Texas who were waiting on a flight home to Austin, Sunday morning.  “I do feel safer now because I know everyone on the plane has had to go through the same system and everything that’s with them has been checked,” Sanders said. Real IDs require in-person verification and documentation that can not be forged. There are other federal safeguards to protect against fraud. California, like most states, displays a star in the upper right corner of the card to signify it meets federal standards. Without the ID, travelers could be charged a $45 fee being being allowed on a flight. “For us our security and safety is paramount,” said Steve Lorincz, TSA acting assistant administrator. “This is one of those layers that is critical to make sure the system is safe,” continued Lorincz in a video message released to the media. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.”  The TSA website states, “the Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, both physical and digital.” There are options available to clear security checkpoints without a Real ID and avoid the $45 charge. They are other government issued forms of identification. Those include a U.S. passport/card, military ID, a trusted traveler card (global entry or Sentri), green card, and a foreign government issued passport. ·         ...read more read less