You’ve been hearing it for months: After May 7, you’ll need a REAL ID to fly. It’s a deadline that’s been looming for quite some time, but not everyone is ready.

Amy Timbers, who flew into the Syracuse Hancock International Airport Tuesday, said she forgot all about the deadline.

“I honestly lost sight of it. I haven’t flown in a while,” Timbers said.

For those who didn’t make the cut, don’t worry, there’s still other options. 

TSA agents at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport are ready to assist folks who do not have a REAL ID. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

“You’re still likely going to be able to fly, however, you’re going to be pulled aside to a separate line, and you’re going to go through some additional screening and some additional verification of your ID,” said Matt Szwejbka, customer experience manager for the Syracuse airport. “But more bluntly, they’re going to dive a little deeper to figure out that you are who you say you are.”

Ensuring you are who you say you are is why the REAL ID is now necessary to fly.

“One of the multiple revelations coming out of the 9/11 commission was that falsified forms of identification were used,” Szwejbka said, “That is heartbreaking.”

Szwejbka says that so far, people have mostly been compliant.

“Today, at the checkpoint, we haven’t had any issues so far,” the customer experience manager said.

Plenty of folks had prepared for this deadline for quite some time.

“I’ve had it for a few years, like, when they first started asking about it, I just picked one up because I travel a lot,” Sean Murphy, a Liverpool resident, said.

Do you have your REAL ID? TSA agents at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport want to make sure. (Spectrum News 1/Natalie Mooney)

If you don’t have a REAL ID, you can still use an enhanced license or passport to fly.

“The worst part is I have a passport, I could have grabbed that,” Timbers said.

While these other forms of IDs are perfectly acceptable, Szwejbka still recommends getting a REAL ID.

“I would advise promptly getting it if you’re somebody who doesn’t have a passport some of these other acceptable forms of ID,” Szwejbka said, “I advise if you have any inkling about traveling soon, make sure you get into the first appointment you can.”

If you’re wondering if you’re REAL ID-compliant, you can check on the corner of your ID for a star or flag symbol. If it not compliant, it will say “Not For Federal Purposes,” and you’ll have to make an appointment with the DMV.

To learn more about REAL ID, or what forms you will need at the DMV, click here.