TSA Has Stern Warning For Costco Customers
(KMDL-FM) The worlds of warehouse club shopping and domestic and international travel have combined to created a real pain the butt for the Transportation Security Administration. It's happened in airports in Alexandria, Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why.
Okay, we can all figure out why, but I just can't believe that people who can afford a ticket to fly on an airplane and shop at Costco can be so incredibly dumb. Now, if you have been to Costco, gotten one of these "questionable" items, and then attempted to get on an airplane with it, I would really love to talk to you. I, and probably most of the people reading this article, have one question. Why?
Why Did TSA Issue a Warning for Costco Shoppers?
I am sure you are aware that the TSA, the watchdog group for airport security in the United States, is a keen observer of what you put in your suitcases. They review your checked bags while they are being transported to the aircraft. And, we are all well aware of the sometimes tenuous baggage screen and personal screening we go through with our carry-on items.
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In most cases, we attempt to minimize the amount of stuff we bring on a trip for two reasons. One, we have to get it all through security. And two, we have to carry all that stuff, so most of the time, when you're traveling, less really is more.
The exact opposite can be said of warehouse club shopping, such as the kind of shopping we do at Costco. In that store you can find mayo in gallon jugs, Pringles cans as big as farm silos, and a bottle of ibuprofen large enough to treat the hangovers of everybody in St. Martin Parish after a wild night of bourre.
So, why are these worlds colliding at airport security kiosks on a daily basis? My guess is that people are stupid. If you don't agree, read the explanation and then we'll talk in a paragraph or so.
TSA Warns Travelers: What's the Truth About Your Costco Card?
The truth about your Costco member ID is that it is only valid at Costco. It is not an official state-issued identification card. In the eyes of TSA and any government agency, your Costco card is worthless unless you're attempting to buy the airport a gallon jug of mayo.
Despite the fact that your Costco card clearly identifies you as you, it won't get you on an airplane. You'd be surprised at the number of people who have tried to board aircraft using the Costco card in place of a driver's license or Real ID. By the way, Real ID is now required for all flights in the United States, so if you haven't upgraded your current driver's license or state-issued ID to a Real ID, you should consider doing that.
Some other forms of ID that won't get you past TSA include a library card, a hand-drawn self-portrait, and a note from your doctor. Those are all nice to have, and you can enjoy them at home. But for the rest of the traveling public, please get smarter before you decide to clog up the security lines at airports around the country.
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Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells