Tag: Airplanes

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This past weekend, workers at the Indira Ghandi Airport in Delhi got the surprise of a lifetime when they discovered a 13-year-old boy wandering around the tarmac in his pajamas. When Indian immigration officials questioned him, they learned that he was from Afghanistan and had snuck onto a KAM Airlines flight out of Kabul in an attempt to get to Tehran, Iran. Wild, right? Well, it gets even crazier. As it turns out, this teenage stowaway spent the 90-minute flight hiding out in the airplane’s landing gear.

An Afghan boy traveled from Kabul to Delhi by hiding in the landing gear compartment of a plane, Indian authorities have said. The boy, who authorities estimated was about 13 years old, was found wandering around the tarmac near where the plane had parked shortly after it had landed on Sunday morning, according to a statement from India’s Central Industrial Security Force.

When they questioned him, authorities found he was from Kunduz in northern Afghanistan and that he had traveled by hiding in the “rear central landing gear” of a KAM Airlines aircraft, the statement added.

They also found a small red audio speaker in the area the boy was hiding. He was repatriated back to Afghanistan later that day.

The distance between Kabul and Delhi is about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and the flight took about an hour and a half.

Hiding in a plane’s wheel well is the most common method used by stowaways in their sought-after journeys, even though it is incredibly dangerous.

More than 77% of people who have attempted to hitch an illegal ride on an aircraft have died, the Federal Aviation Administration said in 2019.

[From CNN]

Sneaking onto an airplane and accidentally ending up in India instead of Iran? Even if the story ended right here, it would still be nuts, especially because of how young he is. But, I can’t believe that he hid in the wheel well and survived! That kid is so dang lucky to be alive. What he did was so dangerous. That area isn’t pressurized, so he also could have died from lack of oxygen. Or he could have gotten crushed by the landing gear! The average temperature outside of an airplane at cruising altitude is -40°F to -60°F. It’s a wonder that he didn’t get frostbite or freeze to death.

According to the BBC, the teen told authorities that he didn’t have any particular reason for trying to sneak onto a flight to Iran but rather he was just curious. So, he took his little red speaker and went for it. That is some intense curiosity. There has to be more to the story, right? I can’t imagine how confused he must have been when he realized that he was in the wrong country. Thank goodness he was found unharmed.

Images credit Wzm Pictures and Amar Preciado on Pexels, Kam Air via Instagram

About 15 years ago, Mr. Rosie and I were on a Delta flight that got delayed for several hours. When the flight finally took off, it ended up making an emergency landing in Little Rock, Arkansas due to mechanical issues. That was frustrating, but the real kicker was when Delta’s agents told us that we were on our own to figure out how to either get to LAX or return home to North Carolina. We ended up having to buy same-day tickets for a totally different airline. It was a very expensive nightmare and I didn’t fly Delta again for almost a decade after that.

A few weeks ago, a group of travelers from Zurich, Switzerland had an airplane ride from hell that beats my story by far. What was supposed to be a nice, relaxing three hour flight from Zurich to Crete turned into an unexpected (and I’d argue unnecessary) 32-hour adventure. And what an adventure it was! They made four stops and still didn’t make it to the island.

Airline travel can be a headache, but it’s not every day that a less than three-hour flight turns into a 32-hour saga that ended in passengers being returned to their original airport.

On May 24, Condor flight DE1234 departed from Zurich, Switzerland, heading for Heraklion, Crete, in Greece with 137 passengers and six crew members. The flight, which is supposed to take just under three hours, experienced “extreme weather conditions,” a Condor airlines representative told PEOPLE.

“With strong winds, take-offs and landings at Heraklion Airport on Crete were only possible to a limited extent,” Condor said in a statement. “Despite several attempts to land in Heraklion, the flight was unfortunately unable to operate as planned and had to be diverted several times including a night stop in Thessaloniki before finally returning to Zurich.”

According to Business Insider, citing data from Flightradar24, the flight circled off the coast of Crete half a dozen times before U-turning to land in Athens.

The outlet reported that the plane made four stops and endured an overnight stay in Thessaloniki during the 32-travel time. The plane also stopped in Athens a second time and in Kos before returning to Zurich.

Condor said that the flight made “several stops,” including a night stop in Thessaloniki.

The airline also said in its statement that, “Refreshments and drinks were served for all guests by the crew in the galley,” however, according to Metro, some passengers complained that they weren’t given many refreshments and some reportedly vomited during one of the attempted approaches to Heraklion.

When asked about the claims, the Condor spokesperson told PEOPLE, “Drinks were served for all guests by the crew in the galley, the hotel accommodation was organized by Condor,” noting that guests can contact customer service for “refund and rebooking options.”

Passengers also claimed they had to pay for their own hotels, per the outlet, and upon landing in Athens for the second time, were given the opportunity to disembark ahead of the final return to Zurich, but without their checked luggage.

[From People]

Other accounts say that passengers were only offered one cup of water during the 32-hour journey and were not given any food. If true, then that is absolutely unacceptable. Either way, what a saga! It’s sort of baffling why Condor didn’t just tell the pilot to return to Zurich after the second attempt failed. Bad weather sucks, but it happens. You can’t control it. It seemed pretty clear that landing in Crete wasn’t in the cards that day. Those poor passengers! I hope they all were able to finally get to Crete and start their vacations! This is a small consolation, but at least they now have a wild adventure story that they can tell at cocktail parties or use as an ice breaker.

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Photos credit: Connor Danylenko, Jason Toevs on Pexels, Erik Odiin on Unsplash, Getty and via Instagram

It’s been a month since the Real ID laws went into effect in the US, and so far, things seem to be going smoothly. As far as I know, there have been no major incidents involving the change. I’m genuinely surprised! I thought we would see videos of Airport Karens behaving badly. (Still waiting for summer travel to really start, though.)

That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a few kinks to work out. Thanks to a rumor, some people have been under the impression that you can use the almighty Costco card as a substitute for a Real ID. While the Costco card can get you access to cheaper gas, affordable clothing, an unbeatable hot dog combo, and random cool stuff like Plinko, it sadly does not double as an alternative form of airport identification. The rumor, which blew up after a food blog posted about it, was so prevalent that even the TSA’s social media accounts had to release a statement to shut it down.

Costco memberships come with a variety of perks, including access to discounted products and services; however, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently debunked the rumor that customers’ warehouse club cards substitute for a Real ID.

TSA proclaimed in an X post on Wednesday, June 4: “We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”

TSA Pacific spokesperson Lorie Dankers told SFGate that the rumor of Costco cards being accepted as official identification pops up every year or so. When people try to use their warehouse club cards at airports, for instance, it could lead to delays and travel headaches, she added. As of May 7, travelers need a Real ID or other acceptable identification for domestic flights and accessing federal facilities. Those who haven’t gotten one yet may be scrambling to figure out what they need to do before booking their next trip. One thing is for certain: They should probably leave their Costco membership cards at home.

Food blog Chowhound claimed in the initial version of an article titled “How Your Costco Card Could Save You At The Airport,” that people’s Costco cards could pass through TSA because it is considered a photo ID. The article cited Reddit, where users claimed their warehouse club cards helped them through airport security when they forgot or lost their regular ID.

On June 4, the day TSA debunked the rumor on social media, Chowhound issued an update to the article, saying, “A previous version of this article stated TSA is likely to accept a Costco membership card in lieu of a valid form of ID. TSA does not explicitly state you can use a Costco card as a form of identification, explaining, ‘The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.’”

The update concludes with: “Now with the Real ID requirements, (a Costco card) is even less likely to get you through TSA quickly or successfully.”

If someone tried using a Costco card at an airport, they would likely be pulled from the TSA checkpoint line for further questioning about other personal information, such as their two previous home addresses, Dankers told SFGate.

[From USA Today]

I read through a bunch of the comments on the Reddit post that the blog cited. The initial question is obviously a joke because the Costco card has a star on it just like the Real ID does. It’s labeled as a “Meme/Sh-tpost,” too! All of the top responses are also very clearly sarcastic. The people who left anecdotal comments about being able to use it in the past explained that it was (questionably) accepted as a second form of identification. For example, one woman said that the TSA didn’t believe it was really her husband on his driver’s license photo, so he pulled out his Costco card (with his picture on the back) to prove that he was who he said he was. It is absolutely wild that the person who wrote the viral blog post didn’t get it. I’m laughing out loud right now. We all make mistakes!

As a reminder, there are around 17 different forms of identification that the TSA accepts as valid. Besides the Real ID and a passport (issued by the U.S. or a foreign-government), you can also use a state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License or ID, a Veteran Health ID Card, Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, and more. Here’s a link to the full list. That said, I highly recommend getting a Costco card. I swear, it pays for itself in gas (or at least it does in my area, where gas is around $3.00/gallon but as of June 9 was $2.49 at Costco). Also, the TSA was not playing when they talked about the hot dogs and rotisserie chicken. Those are American staples. Their food court really is chef’s kiss.

We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.

— TSA (@TSA) June 4, 2025

photos via Instagram and credit Tomek Baginski on Unsplash

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The requirement for all air travelers to have a Real ID-compliant driver license or IDs officially took effect on May 7, 20 years after the REAL ID Act was signed into law in May 2005. The Act was passed in response to 9/11 to set a “unified national standard” for secure identity documents and requires additional documentation be provided at the DMV. It was supposed to go into effect nationwide in 2020, after years of back and forth with the states. That, obviously, got pushed back because of the pandemic.

Real IDs have a little star on the upper right-hand corner. If you don’t have one yet, you can use your passport or another TSA-approved alternative (there’s a list in the quoted article). If you don’t have any of these documents, you’ll still be able to travel for now, but be prepared for additional screenings. Despite the years of hearing about it, there’s a lot of confusion regarding Real ID. USA Today did a very handy Q&A section that answers questions about it:

How do I know if my ID is a REAL ID? According to DHS, Real ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the “top portion of the card.” In states like California, the star is placed on an outline of a bear, while in other states, a simple golden star is added to Real IDs.

Who needs a REAL ID? Every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant document to board an airplane or enter some other federal facilities.

Can I still fly domestically without a REAL ID after the deadline? Possibly. The TSA will have an alternative compliance mechanism in place and officers can try to verify your identity at the airport. You may be subjected to delays and additional screening, and may be prohibited from entering the TSA checkpoint if officers are unable to verify your identity.

What are the alternatives to a Real ID?


TSA-approved alternatives include:


U.S. passport


U.S. passport card


DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)


U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents


Border crossing card


An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe


HSPD-12 PIV card


Foreign government-issued passport


Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card


Transportation worker identification credential


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)


U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential


Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Will I need a REAL ID to fly internationally? A passport is a REAL ID-compliant document and will still be required for international travel. Other REAL ID-compliant documents, like driver’s licenses, will not be accepted to board international flights or at land borders and seaports where passports would otherwise be required.

Can you get a REAL ID after May 7? Yes, you can still obtain a REAL ID after May 7, 2025. The deadline is for select federal agencies and TSA to begin requiring it. If you don’t have a REAL ID yet, you can apply for one at your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The application process typically requires you to present documents verifying your identity, Social Security number, and residency. You should check your state’s DMV website for specific requirements and schedule an appointment.

Do children need a REAL ID to fly? No. The Transportation Security Administration does not require children to show ID when flying domestically, the agency said on its website. However, adults accompanying minors must do so.

Can I get a REAL ID at AAA in every state? No, you cannot obtain a REAL ID at AAA branches in every state. AAA’s ability to issue REAL IDs is limited to specific states and is often only available to AAA members. Only select AAA branches in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and parts of New York provide REAL ID services for members. Travelers should check their state’s DMV website to determine if AAA offers REAL ID services in their area.

Is the REAL ID available in all 50 states, DC and US territories? Yes.

Does my state issue enhanced driver’s licenses, and do they count as REAL ID? Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington state issue enhanced driver’s licenses, and the Department of Homeland security says they are acceptable forms of REAL ID.

[From USA Today]

Both USA Today and CNN did live updates from different major US airports on Wednesday, and by all accounts, things were going “relatively smoothly.” I kinda figured enforcement day had a 50/50 chance for success since we’ve been hearing about it for so long, and because it started after spring breaks were over and before summer travel season started. Plus, Wednesdays aren’t huge travel days anyway, so the real meltdowns, presumably from the same people who Googled “Did Joe Biden drop out?” on Election Day, will begin on Friday.

I was at a family party this past weekend and half my family had the enhanced IDs. There was some general confusion as to whether or not they counted. It’s also good to know that AAA is helping ease the burden in certain states, too. I got my Real ID when I had to renew my driver’s license in 2018. It took me forever to get an appointment and when I did, the only one I could get was a half hour from my house and two weeks after my younger son was born. It was a huge hassle and super annoying, but there was no way I was going to miss it. I’m really glad that I went because both Mr. Rosie and my mom waited and now it’s basically impossible for them to get appointments through the DMV. They’re both going to use their passports in the meantime.

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