DO you have a Costco Card?
July 18th, 2011
Do you have your Costco card?
Odd question coming from a dentist but the right answer might someday save you from big traveling problems with the TSA.
In June, I attended the AADSM (American association of Dental Sleep Medicine 2oth year Convention) in Minneapolis Minnesota. I was attending the convention to begin to fulfill the requirments needed for acquiring diplomat status in dental sleep medicine. There are over 20 million Americans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and who cannot wear a CPAP breathing device prescribed to them to alleviate there problem. Dentistry now offers alternatives to CPAP machines that provide comfort and ease in treating the disorder.
When I arrived at my hotel I was asked for Photo I.D. and a credit card to register. I had a credit card but no Photo I.D.. I had kept my boarding pass from the flight to Minneapolis and convinced the hotel that I was who I said I was. If I was allowed on the plane, I must have had a photo I.D. to validate who I am.
Before I went to the meeting, I called motor vehicles in Virginia and I was fortunate enough to get someone very helpful who sent me a copy of my Drivers license by e-mail. What a relief. With that behind me, I was now calm enough to attend some great seminars and presentations at the AADSM convention.
After 3 days of classes, demonstrations and enjoying the company of old acquantances, I packed my bag and took the hotel shuttle to the airport for my flight back to Virginia. As I approached The TSA agent at the security counter to get to my gate, I was asked for my photo I.D.. I handed over a copy of my drivers license.
This is useless I was told. It’s not a valid photo identification. ‘Don’t you have any other I.D.. I had credit cards, medical insurance cards, my professional cards membership cards to dental organizations but no photo I.D..
“Do you a Costco card, a Costco card would be considered a valid I.D” I was told. But here’s a copy of my drivers license from the State of Virginia. Anyone can get a costco card how was a Costco card more valid then a copy of my drivers license.
I suddenly had visions of being stuck in Minneapolis with nowhere to go because I didn’t have a photo I.D. and worse not even a Costco card.
Fortunately for me, there was a young fellow behind me who had the same problem with less I.D. then I had and was making a scene on top of it. After some momentary questioning by the TSA agent I was allowed to go through security. They had their hand full with the other unhappy and unfortunate passenger.
Needless to say, I learned my lesson. Always keep an extra photo identification with you when you travel and a Costco card is a definite must.
Abe Katz, DDS
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