News and notes from around the interweb:
- It was somewhat of a surprise when the Biden administration announced that TSA would start enforcing REAL ID at airport security checkpoints, 20 years after the REAL ID Act passed. The Trump administration actually went through with it (sort of, you can still fly without ID) because they think REAL ID helps them with anti-immigration efforts.
However, too many people still didn’t have a REAL ID-compliant drivers license. And with all the publicity around pending enforcement, there was a rush on state DMVs – beyond what they were capable of handling. Maine had among the lowest rates of REAL ID compliance (27%). With all the people trying to get one the state rushed production and there was a bad batch. TSA scans of these licenses don’t bring up all of the required information, and passengers are having their IDs rejected. (HT: Joe R.)
- Four months ago I wrote that a free CitizenM hotels status match could be a backdoor into Marriott Gold status since Marriott was acquiring Citizen. Marriott now confirms this.
Soon, all mycitizenM+ members will get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with exclusive benefits across 30+ hotel brands and 10,000+ destinations worldwide, in addition to the benefits they receive at citizenM hotels. With these added benefits, the subscription cost will increase to $170 annually (from $120) for those who sign up or renew after October 28.
- Delta Sky Club packaged snack cutback
Delta did a very heavy food budget cut for the Sky Club, packaged snacks were one of the first easiest cuts. This wasn’t limited to the individual snacks. Many substitutions and cuts were made, and I’ve noticed people complaining more about the food ever since.
- It’s no coincidence she’s walking in front of a Spirit Airlines gate.
She think she the main character pic.twitter.com/vnsn4oZzuI
— Wild content (@NoCapMediaa) August 27, 2025
- I had missed this earlier but I’m glad to see Mesa raising additional financing. They’ve got a pretty generous product, but growing both a credit card portfolio and a mortgage business is an expensive proposition. More runway is great for the sustainability of the business, and for the rewards we’re earning.
- Someone rented from Hertz and didn’t get charged extra by the AI scanner.
First time receiving “no damage” email. CLT/AI scanner, with pre-existing damage below trunk hatch.
byu/howlsofwind inHertzRentals
‘Bad batch,’ you say? Reminds me of our resident bigots, @Walter Barry, @Andy S, and a few others on here… lest they use new aliases…
@ Gary — As you surely know, Mesa isn’t sustainable. Just like Shitcoin. Where’s my popcorn?
I have this issue @ the check points as well- I now use my Nexus card from now on…
Even better than the states getting it wrong, I have held a Transport Worker Identification (TWIC) card that is issued by TSA for seaport access for years. It’s on the list of acceptable Real-IDs but TSA can never get it to read at airports and ask if I have something else. I’m on my 4th renewal card and none have ever worked. Agents tell me it’s common. IT’S THEIR OWN DOCUMENT!
Never did get my TWIC card to work
@1990 serious q – what do you see as the difference between a blog and a chat room?
I had the same experience with a TWIC. Once a TSA officer said they did not know what a TWIC was. Better than getting accused of having a fake ID because New Jersey is not a state (TSA officer thought it was part of New York), or DC is part of Maryland, or New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii are foreign countries.
@cr — No thanks. You do you.
@Tom Longman yes it’s hilarious that TSA cannot accept a federal credential *issued by the TSA* as valid ID. This has been going on for more than two decades (possibly all the way to the start of the Maritime Transportation Security Act) and they show no interest in fixing it.
@1990 Gary posted an informative blog post. a number of topics – you know, roundup.
As often, you were the first commenter. Slamming two previous commenters stealthily, as bigots, and obtusely targeting others.. Before anyone had posted a word. you were claiming aliases like some conspiracist. Don’t get me wrong – I really enjoy some of your posts. But FFS, stick to the subject matter and sometimes, just shut up. You don’t always need to be the next word.
If people don’t want to be at the mercy of TSA and the individual states just get a passport. A passport (also a passport card) are REAL ID compliant. It still has to be verified by TSA but at least the state governments are out of the loop. I may not put REAL ID on my driver license when it is due for renewal if I don’t have to. My passport was just renewed and I got a passport card which can be used instead.
You can also use a Global Entry (and other border entry cards) for your REAL IDs.