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PITTSTON TWP. — On Oct. 1, 2020, travelers will be required to get real, as in Real ID.
Less than one year from now, you will need a Real ID compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification — such as a valid passport or military ID — to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
At Thursday’s meeting of the Bi-County Airport Board, Michael Kichline of the Transportation Security Administration gave a detailed report on what travelers and the general public can expect when Real ID becomes a requirement.
“We’re trying our best to minimize the impact,” Kichline said. “We encourage people to get them as soon as possible.”
Kichline said some 2.5 million Pennsylvanians will need the new Real ID. He said an average of 200,000 per month will make for long waiting lines.
Kichline explained that Real ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes.
He said Real ID is optional for Pennsylvania residents — you will be able to get either a Real ID driver’s license or identification card, or a standard driver’s license or identification card. If you do not get a Real ID, you must have an alternate form of federally acceptable identification — valid passport, military ID, etc. — to board domestic commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities after Oct. 1, 2020.
Kichline said you do not need a Real ID to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts, or apply for or receive federal benefits, such as Social Security or veterans’ benefits.
To prepare for Real ID, Kichline said the best thing to do is to get your documents together:
• Proof of identity: Original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the state office of vital records with a raised/embossed seal — issued by an authorized government agency — or valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card.
• Proof of Social Security number: Social Security card.
• Two proofs of current, physical Pennsylvania address (if applicable): Examples include current, unexpired Pennsylvania license or ID, Pennsylvania vehicle registration, auto insurance card or utility bill with the same name and address.
• Proof of all legal name changes: Certified marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree issued by your county’s family court.
In other business, the airport board:
• Approved a three-day airshow agreement with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at a cost of $45,000.
AVP will host the Northeastern Pennsylvania Air Show on Aug. 22-23, 2020. The event will include an in-flight aerobatic demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron. The Thunderbirds operate high-performance F-16 fighter jets flown by U.S. Air Force pilots and federal regulations require a flight area known as the “Aerobatic Performance Box” to be established during practice and airshows, which for safety reasons must be clear of all spectators and nonessential personnel.
Specifically, the commission has agreed to shut down both the northbound and southbound lanes of the turnpike’s Northeast Extension from the Wyoming Valley Ramp Interchange to the Clarks Summit Ramp Interchange for a predetermined time.
• Heard a report from Jim Martin, representing the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame, on the second edition of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame exhibit at the airport. Two local chapters which have worked cooperatively to display their past and present inductees are the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame and the Northeastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
“This is what we wanted to present to our community,” Martin said. “This is the present and the past shaking hands.”
• Received a report on passenger activity. Airport Executive Director Carl Beardsley said September represented the 14th straight month for record-setting passenger activity.
Beardsley said passenger enplanements for the month of September 2019 increased 5.7% to 24,306 from 22,987 in the month of September 2018. When compared directly with the month of September 2018, the increase is mainly attributed to American’s increased capacity to Charlotte.