Memorial Day travel surge: How to fly smoothly under new Real ID guidelines

CHICAGO (WGN) — Freeways and airports across the United States continue to fill up as more people make their getaways for the long Memorial Day weekend.

Even as politics and the nation’s aging air traffic infrastructure rattle the U.S. travel industry, paired with new Real ID guidelines, Americans are expected to travel in record numbers.

In Chicago, 1.86 million travelers are expected throughout the weekend at O’Hare and Midway International Airports, marking a 5% increase from last year.

AAA predicted 45.1 million people across the country will travel at least 50 miles from home this weekend. The holiday’s previous domestic travel record of 44 million was set 20 years ago.

After years of postponements and delays, the REAL ID compliance deadline arrived in early May. Those who are over 18 years old must have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license to fly.

An Illinois Real ID is denoted by a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of a driver’s license or state identification.

Those without a Real ID can still fly but must go through a screening process that includes giving personal information to TSA agents.

People who do not have a Real ID can use the following identifications to fly:

• U.S. passport or passport card
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Military identification card
• Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

For a full list of identifications that can be used in place of a Real ID, click here.

Airport officials are urging travelers to arrive early, giving them plenty of time to go through security while others get accustomed to the new guidelines.

Real-time updates for O’Hare TSA checkpoints are available at FlyChicago.com.