Passengers on the Central Coast Can Fly Again Without a Real ID or Passport, but it Comes With a Cost

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) -  For about seven months, passengers could not fly in the United States without a Real ID or a passport.  That's now changing and many Central Coast passengers are on the move again.

Under an adjusted rule, passengers who do not have that type of identification can get through TSA by filling out a form and paying $45.

It's advised you do it in advance through a service called ConfirmID.

Lisa Hoeft was arriving to fly out of the Santa Barbara Airport and said, "if you are a frequent flyer I guess I would rather have a Real ID than to pay the $45 each time but if you have a Passport  you can use that for free so I guess it doesn't matter."

Craig Smith a Santa Barbara law instructor said he thought it was a good idea and and a good back up. "Just more convenient.   If anything happens. I have been flying with my passport but you know, one thing can get stolen it's always good to have a belt and suspenders."

He says the policy change will likely be an immediate and future benefit. "If encourages people to go ahead get a Real ID   and even if they don't,  they can go on line and  do it in advance of the trip and it is good for ten days."

The policy change now gives passengers more than two ways to get on board and that was given a positive review.

NIck Brown came in to the Santa Barbara Airport from New Jersey and said it was a good decision. "If you forget it, it helps you out , but if you got  a passport why not just bring your passport ? " He also said he felt safe with the screening of all passengers.

Heading up to TSA, Cheryl New said, "I think the process is as secure as it can be and I think there are so many other things  to worry about in the world that  now  flying is down here (putting her had down low) that's my personal thought yes. "

Shahin Nabidavoodi said he felt flying was " an assumed risk everytime you go. I don't mind it.  It is not going to prevent me from going where I want to go.  I think all in all we are in good hands. "

This comes at a time when Central Coast airports are getting busier than ever. The Santa Barbara Airport saw nearly 1.5 million passengers in 2025.

The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport also had improved business with just over 800,000 passengers, a new record.