Has someone flown domestic using a DoD CAC for you real ID?

It's a mixed bag.  It's officially official, but the TSA scanners often struggle with them. Ymmv.

YMMV, but I always had 100% success rate with TSA using a DoD CAC, but highly variable with a non-DoD CAC/PIV.

I've used my Retiree ID card and my CAC. When I worked for USCG (part of DHS), I had moron TSA agents try to insist on a driver's license but I am petty and ask for their supervisor. The supervisor would then point out the USCG CAC was from the same agency they belonged to a...

Done it numerous times, no issues

Everytime I fly I use my CAC - never an issue. Have never been asked to show my real ID.

I use it every time. I do not have a real ID.

I've accidentally handed my CAC to TSA before and they scanned it and just kept the line moving

Yes. I haven’t had an issue in almost 20 years.

Yes, no issues.

I have flown on a DoD CAC since they became a thing. I have never had an issue. The few times it hasn’t scanned, they just scan my DL, and then accept the CAC as covering for the Real ID

Not an active duty CAC, but have not had any issues with myself or wife’s retired military ID.

Never had an issues

100% of my trips, I use my CAC. No issues. I travel 30-40 tdy’s per year.

I've been doing it for a long time, and I've never had a problem using it.

All the time.

I used to use my government PIV card until one day they couldn’t read the card in their machine like they do a driver’s license. Showing them that it is the exact same card as the one they’re wearing around their neck wasn’t enough. They do NOT take all legitimate forms of gov...

Only issue I’ve had is using my retiree ID. I’m a gray area retiree so the ID is indefinite for expiration but when scanned shows up on TSA scanners as expired. When that happens they look at it, see it’s indefinite, an send me through. I’ve never had an issue using my civ DoD...

Same. Never had an issue. CAC is good.

DOD CAC yes, no issues. DHS PIV was hit-or-miss, since it wouldn’t scan, and it seemed to be up to the individual agent…which is kind of ironic considering the department the TSA works under.

I've used it once when the scanner wouldn't take my regular ID.

I have never had issues with my CAC

I have and most of the time, the TSA scanners can’t read it. Maybe once out of ten it’s worked?

Yep. Went right through

I’ve had no problems since the real-ID requirement. Before that it was hit or miss.

Yes. I have used a CAC to pass the TSA checkpoint. They did ask me to use a drivers license or passport in the future because it works better.

I did in 2024. I was in the process of renewing my license so I only had the paper print out from the BMV (that worked at the rental car desk). TSA didn’t question me at all, except to say “wow, I bet you get to work on a lot of cool stuff for the USAF”

Years ago, I have successfully used my DOD CAC at various major airports on the east coast but I can't say you won't struggle at a lesser used airports not accustomed to dealing with fed or military personnel.

You can use it but the new scanners can't read them since they don't use the AAMVA PDF417 barcode that your driver license does. So you may have to show boarding pass whereas with a Real ID DL at most airports now they can just scan your DL and compare it to the pax manifest.

Works like a charm.

Maybe a dumb question, but why would you want to do this? Not knocking it, just curious

Haven't flown since pre COVID, but the few times I did I used my CAC and didn't have any issues. Actually I feel like I was treated better since I was a Gov employee like them.

I’ve never had an issue using my CAC with the TSA.

I've scanned my DOD CAC for hundreds of flights over the years and never had an issue.

Why not just use your DL?

I dunno how it is now, but we used to use the number for pre-check or whatever it was 10 or so years ago, and how else would you demonstrate that number without your DoW CAC?

I've used mine. I don't know who they think I am, but they are very polite and seem very respectful.

Many times. In my experience TSA agents have always recognized it and it's been while I've been on official travel. We're not authorized to use one for personal travel. I've used my passport since the Real ID requirements went into practice.

So no personal experience, but did witness with my own eyes a guy getting bounced from PreCheck with a CAC. Supervisor was being spicy and told the line agents that anyone with “alternate” ID…so anything but a Real ID compliant DL or a Passport…was to be bounced over to standa...

I used it to fly every time for 20 years. Never once a problem.

All the time. Once though the agent commented that they can be “tricky” and when I asked she said they are a bit slow to scan. ???! But it always works

Yes, when I pre-register. Never tried a different way

Yes multiple flights no issue.

It worked well until last year in my experience. At DCA, RDU and PHX, I was told they are not acceptable. Glad it seems to work elsewhere.

YMMV, we travelled as a family to a popular vacation destination and the TSA line at the airport coming home was horrendous. When TSA saw my husband’s DOD CAC they routed us through the employee gate. It was a pleasant surprise. Hasn’t happened since though.

Flew to connecticut and it worked, flew to miami and it worked.

Used my PIV after my phone/wallet fell to the bottom of the lake off a SUP in CO. Asked at the check in counter whether it would work and she responded “it’s a federal ID isn’t it?” That was over three years ago, you’ll be fine!

Almost never. My license is easier to use. I use it to get into TSA pre-check.

Yes, I’ve never had any issues. If you want tsa pre check tho you have to sign up for it online and select it.

DOD CAC & DHS PIV are part of HSPD-12 and are 100% acceptable forms of real id. In fact they are exactly the same things, they a Gov issued Personal Identify Verification documents issued by the US government. First versions of DHS PIV had if lost drop in mail, please re...

TSA workers are dumb. You are at their discretion whether they are right or wrong. Get a Real-ID. It's kinda ridiculous if you don't already have one

I used my CAC in the reader last week when flying out of DCA. Had no issues.

Never had a single issue at DFW. I used it all the time for domestic flights.

Yeah never had any issue.

What's the advantage of using the CAC?

Yes, it worked fine. You need the DOD ID number.

I tried it a couple weeks ago. The agent accepted it but the scanner had trouble with it and I ended up using my license.

Is CAC PIV?

All the time. Zero issue.

All the time. I have never had any issues. I think maybe once since I got my CaC I used my license because the reader had an issue. I am on my 4th trip since Christmas…

It’s all I use

I have multiple times between SeaTac and San Diego and never have an issue but now that it's out in the universe I'm sure I will.

Yes, but anecdotally I have had a TSA agent, once, accuse me of providing them with a fake CAC. If it weren’t for traveling with family I would gladly have engaged in that discussion in real time…but nonetheless it is a sufficient form of ID regardless of what that agent said.

I used my PIV several times. It won’t scan but TSA accepts it.

Wife has issues from time to time. She’s a civilian but also has a dependent ID card through me. Something about that makes the CaC not read properly all the time.

Oof yeah, VA PIV. SJC to PDX. They wouldn't accept it either way. They still wanted to see my drivers license (which was non real id). DoD might be a different story.

Without going into detail here I can confirm with certainty that a DoD CAC is perfectly acceptable for the purpose of Real ID usage.

I'm not DOD, but have used my CAC several times with no issue; it was scanned by TSA just like a credit card.

Yes. Never had an issue.

Yes. Never had any issues.

Yes. Been doing it since TSA Precheck was introduced. No issues.

I had an issue leaving Hawaii once using my CAC, scanner couldn’t read it.

I’ve used my cac a few times and I’ve had no issues. It may take 2 seconds longer to verify since the machine is expected a drivers license, but that pretty much it.

I just went on a trip two weeks ago and was able to use my cac through both airports I went to. It was easy peasy.

CAC is fine for flying, especially since that’s your Trusted Traveler Number. It just doesn’t work in your laptop’s CAC reader until the 3rd or 4th try, then will kick you out or require your PW every 72 seconds. 😂

No issue

DTW no longer allows it. They have a reader they put your drivers license into and it can’t read the PIV/CAC.