Tribal IDs valid at airport security checkpoints

ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF

May 29, 2008 at 10:23AM AKST

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would accept tribal photo identification cards, Canadian Indian and Northern Affairs cards as valid identification as the department institutes new procedures to identify passengers on domestic flights within the United States.

Currently, passengers must present photo identification at security checkpoints so Transportation Security Administration officers can verify passengers’ identity.

Many Native American individuals have had problems at checkpoints because TSA officers were unwilling to accept tribal IDs as valid identification. As a result, Indian people were sometimes subjected to secondary screenings or personal interviews so that their identity could be verified.

Assuming that employees at the checkpoints are duly informed of this change, Native Americans with tribal IDs that have a photo should not face resistance due to identification problems.

The regulations went into effect May 26. To be accepted, a tribal ID must contain the tribal member’s photo, name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature.

Lower the stress of flying
In other travel news, summer’s near and so is the heavy travel season that comes with it. Alaska Airlines recently released a list of summer travel tips to assist in making flying to your destination as stress-free as possible.

More information can be found at www.alaskaair.com.

Here’s the list:
• Be aware of new fees. To align with the rest of the industry and in response to increasing costs, Alaska Airlines recently changed its fee structure. Starting May 21, the charge for an overweight bag (more than 50 pounds) will increase to $50, the charge for transporting pets in the cabin increases to $100 one way, the charge for booking a reservation at the ticket counter or through reservations increases to $15, and the unaccompanied minor fee will be $75 for one-way nonstop or connecting flights.

Additionally, beginning July 1, Alaska Airlines will begin charging $25 for a second and $100 for a third checked bag.

First class and Gold-level Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members and customers flying to or from Mexico City may check two bags free of charge, and customers on flights within the state of Alaska may check three bags free of charge, before excess fees apply.

Passengers can pay for additional bags with a credit card at the airport through Alaska Airlines.

• Be prepared for security procedures. The Transportation Security Administration has specific rules for carrying liquids and gels in carry-on luggage, in addition to procedures related to electronics. Become familiar with all their procedures, as well as prohibited items, by checking the TSA Web site, www.tsa.gov.

• Be aware of passport requirements for international travel. Passengers traveling between the United States, Canada and Mexico are required to have a passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov.

• Know when to arrive at the airport and gate. Passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before an international flight. Travelers should contact individual airports for specific recommended arrival times.

Alaska Airlines customers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before a domestic departure and 40 minutes before an international flight. These guidelines apply to all airports, regardless of size.

• Allow extra time to get to the airport. Parking lots may be full during peak travel periods. Alaska Airlines encourages passengers to take alternative transportation to the airport or park at a nearby satellite parking lot.

• Check in online. Alaska Airlines passengers can check in online up to 24 hours before a domestic or international flight at www.alaskaair.com.

International passengers can enter passport information online.

Passengers who check in online should leave ample time to check any luggage at the airport. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the first time they check in online.

• Use a check-in kiosk – Alaska Airlines provides more than 400 convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many offsite locations. Kiosks allow passengers to check in for flights, print boarding passes, pay to check additional pieces of luggage, and change seat assignments. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 miles the first time they check in at a kiosk.

• Know the carry-on and checked luggage limits – Federal rules allow each customer to carry only one standard–sized carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse or laptop computer. Baggage fees will apply to items beyond the carry-on limits. Detailed information is available at www.alaskaair.com.

• Keep valuables in your carry-on luggage. Passengers should carry prescription medication, passports, cash, jewelry, business papers, laptops, cameras and other valuables in their carry-on luggage to keep control of these items.

• Properly label luggage. Passengers should provide their name, address, phone number, destination phone number and e-mail address on a label inside and outside each piece of luggage.

• Know the rules for large or unusual items. Passengers with excess luggage, pets or oversized items, such as golf clubs, should check airline policies ahead of time.

• Take the express security line. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold members and passengers with no carry-on items can use express lines at security checkpoints in Anchorage, Portland, Ore., Seattle, and Spokane, Wash.

Express lines also are available for Horizon Airline shuttle passengers flying between Seattle or Portland and Spokane.