Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Jan 13th 2020, 3:00 am
#31
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
The TSA guys keep warning me that I need to get a Real ID DL every time I go through security. Since I have four other Real IDs, not particularly concerned.
For what it's worth, *MOST* folks on here will find it easy to get a Real ID DL. People on this site generally have enough ID that is tied together to be able to satisfy the requirements. For those born and raised here, it is a mixed bag. If all their documents are under the same name, probably easy. If they've changed names, divorced, use aliases, were never issued a birth certificate (some tribes), from Puerto Rico (where names are treated and recorded differently), never updated SSA records with name changes for or after marriage, etc, it gets very messy very quickly. Ironically, it often requires less documentation to get a US passport than a DL, and then use the new passport as one of the requirements for getting the DL.
For what it's worth, *MOST* folks on here will find it easy to get a Real ID DL. People on this site generally have enough ID that is tied together to be able to satisfy the requirements. For those born and raised here, it is a mixed bag. If all their documents are under the same name, probably easy. If they've changed names, divorced, use aliases, were never issued a birth certificate (some tribes), from Puerto Rico (where names are treated and recorded differently), never updated SSA records with name changes for or after marriage, etc, it gets very messy very quickly. Ironically, it often requires less documentation to get a US passport than a DL, and then use the new passport as one of the requirements for getting the DL.
Jan 13th 2020, 2:06 pm
#32
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,388
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Well, they are good for travel to Canada, and, I believe, for boarding cruises that call at various destinations in the Caribbean. I believe it’s an important part of the answer to the question of why many Americans don’t have full passports - people earlier in the thread mentioned how large and varied the US is. Well, add in Canada, and that’s a huge area accessible without a full passport.
I have a passport and an enhanced DL, just a small convenience, I travel to Canada dozens of times a year, and don’t need to get out my passport. But I know loads of people who only have an enhanced DL (folks go over to Canada for shopping, visiting family etc. where I live.)
I have a passport and an enhanced DL, just a small convenience, I travel to Canada dozens of times a year, and don’t need to get out my passport. But I know loads of people who only have an enhanced DL (folks go over to Canada for shopping, visiting family etc. where I live.)
I'm the odd duck out. Even on internal flights I only use my US Passport for boarding the plane. And that is the booklet and not the card.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
Jan 13th 2020, 4:40 pm
#33
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Was MS issuing real ID 3 years ago? Maybe possible they had not started yet wirh Real ID when you exchanged?
I'm the odd duck out. Even on internal flights I only use my US Passport for boarding the plane. And that is the booklet and not the card.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
Jan 13th 2020, 5:44 pm
#34
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
I'm the odd duck out. Even on internal flights I only use my US Passport for boarding the plane. And that is the booklet and not the card.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
The main reason I want to get a RealID DL rather than use my passport is that I only religiously carry my phone and my wallet everywhere I go. I keep my PP safe and would hate to have to remember to retrieve it before a flight.
Jan 13th 2020, 5:53 pm
#35
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
It used to be the case that US military traveled on a military id card instead of a passport, but not sure if that is still how it works.
Jan 13th 2020, 7:00 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
I'm the odd duck out. Even on internal flights I only use my US Passport for boarding the plane. And that is the booklet and not the card.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
When I went to exchange my NYS DL for my MS one three years ago, I brought my NYS DL, US Passport and CRBA to the DMV. Assumed I would be getting a RealID DL. Nope only the regular DL was issued even though all my documents were looked at and copied by the counterperson. So I'm assuming you have to literally ask for it here in order to get one. Will I go back and get another one? Doubtful that I will before my license expires in 7 years.
Jan 13th 2020, 9:13 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Jan 13th 2020, 9:58 pm
#38
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
I am always worried about losing stuff when travelling, I have to carry my drivers licence, passport and PR Card for Canada, and surprised I haven't lost one of them yet in the mess airports can be and how many times someone wants an ID these days when flying.
Jan 14th 2020, 12:28 am
#39
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Not worth filling out the form for a Real ID. I tried to online but got nowhere. I will use my passport instead
Jan 14th 2020, 12:54 am
#40
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Something to reconsider at next renewal. In NC it's documents you should have in a safe, but does require in person visit.
Jan 14th 2020, 1:01 am
#41
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
I'll agree there, if only travelling domestically and if you have other suitable ID's, why carry a passport.
I am always worried about losing stuff when travelling, I have to carry my drivers licence, passport and PR Card for Canada, and surprised I haven't lost one of them yet in the mess airports can be and how many times someone wants an ID these days when flying.
I am always worried about losing stuff when travelling, I have to carry my drivers licence, passport and PR Card for Canada, and surprised I haven't lost one of them yet in the mess airports can be and how many times someone wants an ID these days when flying.
. I cannot be trusted to remember ANYTHING! So I've drilled it into my skull that I must always have THREE things with me - keys, wallet, phone - wherever I go. And even then, occasionally, I pull out of the driveway without my phone! When I travel internationally I obviously have more stuff to deal with, so I wear a travel pouch around my neck! Women have it a lot easier in some ways as they carry purses ... though my g/f is constantly changing purses (fashion statement ...) and often seems to forget to transfer stuff ...
Jan 14th 2020, 1:39 am
#42
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
I once left an iPad on a plane . I cannot be trusted to remember ANYTHING! So I've drilled it into my skull that I must always have THREE things with me - keys, wallet, phone - wherever I go. And even then, occasionally, I pull out of the driveway without my phone! When I travel internationally I obviously have more stuff to deal with, so I wear a travel pouch around my neck!
Women have it a lot easier in some ways as they carry purses ... though my g/f is constantly changing purses (fashion statement ...) and often seems to forget to transfer stuff ...
. I cannot be trusted to remember ANYTHING! So I've drilled it into my skull that I must always have THREE things with me - keys, wallet, phone - wherever I go. And even then, occasionally, I pull out of the driveway without my phone! When I travel internationally I obviously have more stuff to deal with, so I wear a travel pouch around my neck!Women have it a lot easier in some ways as they carry purses ... though my g/f is constantly changing purses (fashion statement ...) and often seems to forget to transfer stuff ...
). Like you I’ve perfected the muscle memory three item pat check of wallet-phone-keys before I leave the flat.
Jan 14th 2020, 2:22 am
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/your-real-id-checklist/#gf_5
Last edited by Giantaxe; Jan 14th 2020 at 2:27 am.
Jan 14th 2020, 5:33 am
#44
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Passports left on planes is so common as well as ipads and related. Passenger only realizes when they get to customs and oops no passport...
Hotels I have worked at some had boxes and boxes of cell phones, tablets, chargers, at one 350 room hotel we had a whole room filled with stuff people left.
Most dont realize til they cant come back and most wont pay the shipping to get their stuff back.
Hotels I have worked at some had boxes and boxes of cell phones, tablets, chargers, at one 350 room hotel we had a whole room filled with stuff people left.
Most dont realize til they cant come back and most wont pay the shipping to get their stuff back.
I once left an iPad on a plane . I cannot be trusted to remember ANYTHING! So I've drilled it into my skull that I must always have THREE things with me - keys, wallet, phone - wherever I go. And even then, occasionally, I pull out of the driveway without my phone! When I travel internationally I obviously have more stuff to deal with, so I wear a travel pouch around my neck!
Women have it a lot easier in some ways as they carry purses ... though my g/f is constantly changing purses (fashion statement ...) and often seems to forget to transfer stuff ...
. I cannot be trusted to remember ANYTHING! So I've drilled it into my skull that I must always have THREE things with me - keys, wallet, phone - wherever I go. And even then, occasionally, I pull out of the driveway without my phone! When I travel internationally I obviously have more stuff to deal with, so I wear a travel pouch around my neck!Women have it a lot easier in some ways as they carry purses ... though my g/f is constantly changing purses (fashion statement ...) and often seems to forget to transfer stuff ...
Jan 14th 2020, 11:48 am
#45
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Is it true that 70% of Americans don't have passports?
Thought I'd add another factor not yet mentioned but often cited as the #1 reason more Americans don't have a passport or travel to places that require passports: it's really expensive to get anywhere where you need a passport from the US. If you live in the UK and want to Spain for the weekend, there are plentiful cheap flights. Compare that to what a flight from the US to Europe (the most likely destination requiring a passport.) A week in Europe from the US is a pricey proposition.
Last edited by Hiro11; Jan 14th 2020 at 11:55 am.