In a moment of peak internet absurdity, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just issued a public reminder that’s equally hilarious and necessary: your Waffle House ID is not a valid form of identification for air travel.
That clarification came after a post by meteorologist Matthew Cappucci went viral, showing off his novelty Waffle House card while jokingly claiming it as the “realest ID.”
However, TSA’s response on X (formerly Twitter) made it clear that while they appreciated the humor, they were not laughing when it came to airport security. “Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),” the agency wrote on June 24, quoting Cappucci’s tweet, which racked up over 2 million views.
TSA might want RealID, but I have the realest ID. pic.twitter.com/T8f1VAOzpT
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) June 22, 2025
The internet did what it does best: spiraled into jokes, hot takes, and mock outrage.
One user replied, “I’ve seen Waffle House employees defend their castle with their bare hands. The friendly skies have never been safer than with you aboard.” Another wrote, “Respectfully, but after learning the TSA has routinely permitted illegal immigrants to board without so much as a library card, kindly [expletive] off.”
Why TSA Had to Say the Quiet Part Out Loud
This isn’t the first time TSA has had to clarify the painfully obvious. Earlier in June, they responded to rumors that Costco membership cards were being accepted at airport checkpoints. “We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person,” TSA posted, “but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”
At first glance, these posts seem like playful social media banter.
But they show us a fundamental problem: confusion over what qualifies as valid identification for domestic flights, especially now that REAL ID enforcement is entirely in effect as of May 7, 2025.
TSA’s latest guidance reminds travelers that novelty IDs, membership cards, and expired documents (past two years) just won’t cut it. While it may seem like common sense, the agency says public reminders are necessary, especially during peak summer travel, when passenger numbers spike and checkpoint hold-ups can snowball fast.
What Actually Is a REAL ID + What Happens If You Don’t Have One?
If you’re unsure whether your driver’s license qualifies as a REAL ID, check for a star in the upper right corner of the card. No star? No dice. Without a REAL ID or a listed alternative, you’ll face longer screening procedures. And possibly miss your flight.
Per the TSA website, the list of acceptable IDs includes:
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REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state photo ID cards
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U.S. passports or passport cards
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DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
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Permanent resident cards
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U.S. military IDs
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Foreign government-issued passports
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Enhanced Tribal Cards or Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
Temporary licenses, Costco cards, Waffle House membership cards, and expired IDs (beyond two years) are not valid.
If you show up without an acceptable ID, TSA officers may attempt to verify your identity using publicly available databases. But be prepared for delays and secondary screening, and understand that they can still deny you access if your identity cannot be verified.
• Americans can use one of the 15 other TSA-acceptable IDs to fly (including passports).
• On May 7, TSA is expected to begin two years of “phased enforcement,” – likely no denials
• REAL ID is an unconstitutional federal usurpation of states’ rights and individual rights.
•… pic.twitter.com/isVVm1Ey8z— The Solari Report | Catherine Austin Fitts (@solari_the) April 16, 2025
For those still waiting on their REAL ID for TSA, a valid passport works just fine. If you’ve let your license lapse, keep in mind TSA still accepts specific expired IDs (within a two-year grace period). As for children under 18, no ID is required for domestic travel. However, airlines may have their own rules for unaccompanied minors.
So, while your Waffle House card might earn you a seat at the counter and a side of hashbrowns, it’s not getting you through airport security. And that’s a reality even the most loyal patrons will have to swallow.
