Only 9 days until Thanksgiving break! 9 days!!! And all of the sudden I’m in a panic about how DS is going to get through security without a picture ID. He has his school ID and a copy of his birth certificate. Will this be enough for TSA? The school shuttle drops the kids off at their terminals, but being that he’s flying out f Boston Logan, I’m worrying about how strict they may be. Anyone here with expertise in this department? TIA
I get dropped off at Boston Logan and have flown out of Logan ever since I started at boarding school. I have never been asked for or had to use my birth certificate and everybody just uses their student ID (not a bad idea to have the birth certificate as well though). Many schools get out at around the same time and so lots of boarding schools students come through Logan. I am getting off for Thanksgiving break in 9 days as well! It is common to see loads of other students in groups from other schools. Also, if your son is being dropped off by the school with other kids, chances are that the TSA officers will realize hey are all coming from the same school. I have never had a hard time flying out of Logan. Pleas please please don’t worry. Boarding school kids do this all the time and it becomes more normal and easier to navigate every time you travel. I’m sure it is stressful for you as a parent because you want to make sure your kid can get home safe (my mom was feeling the same way you were) but you just have to trust that your son can manage himself and everything will be
We got my D a state ID card that she always carried for traveling. Even though kids under 18 aren’t required to show ID, I liked knowing she had an official photo ID and proof that she was under 18. She had a passport but I preferred to not have that in her possession at BS all the time.
She’s in college now and still uses her ID (no drivers license yet). We recently got passport cards because we live not far from the border, and those make a handy ID for anyone of any age.
@cababe97 that is all I really needed to hear! Thanks! DS is very adept at traveling, and normally keeps the rest of the family in line, so once he gets past TSA, I was sure he’d be fine! Knowing that you’ve traveled with your student ID alone makes me feel better. Logan can be so strict (they wanted to detain my 10 yr old for her agarry Potter wands)…,so I started to worry! Thank you for alleviating the fear! @alooknac, I didn’t realize we could get him a state ID. I may look into that for piece of mind! Thanks y’all!
My son has traveled to and from school without using any ID. He has never had a problem. He does have TSA Precheck to help get through the lines faster.
While I agree with @cababe97 that there should be no problem at BOS, I also concur that it would be a good idea for DS to get a state ID until he’s old enough (or so inclined) to get a DL. It just never hurts to have.
You should be fine this time, but I would definitely get a state ID as back up for the future. Sometimes there is more scrutiny for kids of color…(shouldn’t be that way, but…)
Thanks everyone! @queenmother he somehow does have TSA pre-check, so that’s good. I hope that does help. @skieurope & @CaliMex —i will definitely look into a state ID. Hopefully we can get one while he is home. Love my CC family that helps in any situation!!!
Yes to State ID. One less worry.
Yes. My son also has a state ID because, like you, I was worried that he would need an ID for travel. It is handy to have but he has not needed to use it.
My kids have passport cards rather than state ids. They’ve never actually been asked to show them but carry them just in case.
DS2 greatly appreciates TSA pre-check that comes with Global Entry.
Global Entry card can serve as an ID as well, but I am keeping his at home so that it is not lost. 
He has been traveling with only school ID with no problem, back and from Logan.
While he should be fine this time, I highly recommend getting a state ID when he comes home. Because why not?
Thanks @SculptorDad …that’s my plan!
We took everyone’s advice and got DS a state ID while he was home! (His picture was so bad, even the DMV lady told him it looked like he should have a bunch of numbers under his chin :)) ). But at least, now, I know he has government issued identification should he ever need it! Thank you, everyone!!
S19 flew back fine with only school ID.
I am reluctant to get him one more item he could lose. 