This is topic October Surprise in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.


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Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
 
With 2/3 of potential airplane passengers still without a "Real ID", I think it could be absolute chaos if the October, 2020, deadline isn't pushed back. Not to mention the possible pandemonium, at the local DMV, for last minute Real ID applications just before October.

https://is.gd/PSoofC

I'll bet there are lot of Americans who haven't even heard of the need for a Real ID with air travel. I'm getting one in May.

I also wonder if there will be a lot (more) temperature scans at airport checkpoints, especially with coronavirus concerns. One of several reasons I don't like Amtrak coach is because of possible exposure to airbourne bugs, at least during the flu season.

Maybe we will see more temperature checks on boarding, for all Amtrak passengers. And, maybe an eventual need for a Real ID at Amtrak stations?

Richard
 
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
 
Having a passport will do the trick.
 
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
 
I'm up for a Driver's License July '21. I'll likely go in, say, during May "just in case" my vision needs "correction", or if I flunk the driving test (80yos have to be tested every two years in Illinois), which, in view of that I haven't had a traffic ticket since '96 and no insurance company has ever paid out a dime to another party thanks to me, seems "a bit capricious".

But as Mr. Harris notes, I'll just use my Passport when flying.

Finally, regarding close spaces, at the Symphony last night, I couldn't help but notice some ten different patrons wearing mssks.
 
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
 
I've tried to see if there is any information, out there, regarding the eventual need of Real ID for Amtrak boarding. I could find nothing, but who knows what the future could bring.

One thing I did read is that you might not need a passport, with US-Canada Amtrak travel, if you have a Real ID.

Richard
 
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
 
Place your bets that October 1 is "off the table":

https://www.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility

I must wonder what percentage of US Citizens have a valid passport. I been lead to believe it is much lower than those in other developed nations.

Related to this discussion it that the Salzburg Festival has CX their Easter festival and are offering refunds for those tickets (of course they are "asking" holders to donate them to "the cause"). Likely same will prevail for the Summer shoukd that get the "whack". United at the moment is waiving change fees on any ticket and will refund any remaining value one year after issue (assuming they're not bankrupt by then) All told, if I don't go, it looks as if "I'm out clean."
 
Posted by mr williams (Member # 1928) on :
 
Hello from England!

To answer Mr Norman's question, around 42% of Americans have passports, a figure that has doubled in the last 20 years.

In the UK it is around 76%.

Figures for other European countries can be misleading, as many have some sort of national ID card system (sometimes combined with your driving licence) that can be used to travel to other EU countries without further documentation, and a passport in only needed if going further afield.
 


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