Over the years I’ve built up quite a careful travel routine and always check my mental (and physical) packing lists multiple times before jumping on a plane. My husband usually isn’t as concerned about packing but he is notorious for a “dummy check” for our IDs/Passports as we head out the door. I usually roll my eyes but check anyway. Why would you ever forget the number one thing you need to get on a plane?

Low and behold, his dummy check finally paid off. I left my ID at a restaurant on our last night in Salt Lake City and didn’t realize it until we headed out the door at 4:30 am the next morning to catch a flight before work on Monday morning — talk about cutting it close!

I quickly jumped on google to see what we needed to do and was surprised at how easy it actually is to fly without identification. Granted, we were flying at an off time and have TSA pre-check so we certainly were set up for a smooth trip, but none the less, here are my tips for navigating TSA without your photo ID.

1. Stay Calm. This happens all the time to travelers and the TSA will guide you through the process when you arrive.
2. Get There Early. If you know before you arrive that you’ve forgotten your ID, try to give yourself some extra time. You go directly to the normal TSA line but once you reach the ID check, you’ll be pulled to the side for extra questioning and a very intense pat down.
3. Get Creative With What You Have. Think about what forms of ID you do have with you and offer those to TSA. I had a copy of my passport on my phone (which they did not look at), a debit card with my name and photo on it and my staff ID for work with my photo and name. Anything with your picture is extra helpful but even credit cards will help prove you are who you say you are.
4. Be Kind. I was overly nice and appreciative to the TSA workers who were dealing with my mistake and I think it went a really long way. I had the most thorough pat down I’ve ever received at an airport and you want to be nice to anyone that is getting that close and personal to you. She was very respectful and nice to me and I felt compelled to be the same to her. Another agent wiped down and extra checked my bag and he was friendly and chatty with me as I expressed my appreciation for them helping me when I’d messed up.
5. Travel Light. Not much you can do about this if you are already traveling but I did make sure that my husband was carrying our shared roller bag and that I only had my purse. He went through normal security with our luggage and I only got thoroughly checked with my purse.

I am sure this gets way more complicated if you are traveling internationally but I was very pleased with how quickly they solved everything for me domestically.

Has anyone else traveled without ID before? What are your best tips? Let us know in the comments!