New rules for over 65 travelers in 2026

Here is what TSA has published on their website
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/screening-passengers-75-and-older

Here is what the State Department has published on their website
https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/planning/personal-needs/age-65.html

Thanks , James That helps clarify a number of issues !

It's called "click bait." They get you to watch ridiculous videos and that's how they make money. These videos put fear into you and get you to keep watching. The longer you watch, the more money they make.

Never believe anything you read or see on social media. They are under no obligation to tell you the truth. Always use official websites to check information.

I thought that might be the case . Too much of that video didn't seem to have a ring of truth ( A good example was the purported requirement for detailed information about pacemakers and other implanted medical devices ( I also have a new Aortic valve )

Steven, it’s inconceivable that someone could create something that false. Usually the just exaggerate the truth, but this one had no truth.

Here's a hint it's a problematic video--they keep claiming you need to "keep watching till the end. You'll never believe number 1."

Another "new rule" I heard about on social media is that the TSA will now require people over 65 to do the "hokey pokey." They want to make sure you know your left from your right.

You know someone will believe it and repeat it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QLm8_mlvvQ

Oh lordie I started to watch this AI scare piece and realized it wasn’t even funny enough to share with my husband for a laugh. We like a good joke but this one goes in horror film category. Rotten Tomatoes 0.

What’s your itinerary in October, young man?

Yes, thank you! Glad that others have pointed out that this is AI generated video junk. Come on, that "no" is said as "no" rather than "number" in the video count down should be a quick tell. Any question, just take each claim and check with quick web searches, you'll note that the bovine scatology is piled high.

I've been practicing the hokey pokey for a number of weeks now, to help me pass through security screening more quickly. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

VAP was very polite. I'm not. The video is total bull &*^%.

"Another "new rule" I heard about on social media is that the TSA will now require people over 65 to do the "hokey pokey." They want to make sure you know your left from your right."

"I've been practicing the hokey pokey for a number of weeks now, to help me pass through security screening more quickly. That's what it's all about, isn't it?"

OH NO!!!!! Here I have been practicing getting up off the floor and that was going to be my fitness goal AGAIN for 2026 and NOW I find that I need to do the Hokey Pokey, too! Whew...I will be busy between now and my next experience with TSA.

Thanks Frank and Gundersen for the laugh!

And Steven, I've had that YouTube video come up on my feed recently so it must be getting a lot of views for the algorithm to put it up there. I had not watched it and won't thanks to your post!

I didn't want to panic anybody the other day but I saw that in order to cross the Scotland / England border groups of 4 or more will be required to perform the sword dance, and to enter Schengen groups of 4 or more will be required to perform the Chicken Dance.

But then I saw that groups of 4 or more with at least one person who can produce a square dance caller's ID card would get a bye.

" The Chicken Dance " One of my favorites !! Here performed by four chickens and a rooster from The Royal Ballet ( The birds are on after the first two minutes https://youtu.be/Z9nA1J2GdeE?si=V0tqfb9oEMas1rBE

We are over that magical age and are practicing the Macarena for our " international" trip to Puerto Rico. Lol our well informed knows everything group member wanted us to be sure we have our passports ready for our upcoming trip to San Juan PR!!! US citizens going there and only use our passports for our Hawaii trip.

In an effort to stop propagating the video in question, I have removed it from the OP's post.

You all are laughing about the Hokey Pokey, but my brother once broke his jaw playing the Hokey Pokey ! The doctor was shocked.

Kim, this is no laughing matter. I'm guessing your brother was a novice when he tried it out, likely with an unruly group at a wedding or party. He was probably showing off by shaking a leg too vigorously, or had his knees at a completely wrong angle. Did he even bother to learn the lyrics, or was he ad-libbing as he went along?

Tell him to practice at home. Balancing board exercises will improve his stability. And too many people overlook the importance of correctly timed pauses between different leg movements.

Hokey pokey is a perfect balance of art and science. Becoming an expert requires years of dedication. Not common knowledge, but the final test for a Shaolin monk involves King Fu techniques, reciting numerous Buddhist mantras, and doing the hokey pokey. True masters do the Brit version (hokey cokey) on a monkey stick in mid-air; that's what I'm aiming for.

If your brother also lives in Paris, and is willing to pay for my flight and put me up for a few weeks for free, I can set him on the right path. He'll be top of the bill of every gathering, tutting and shaking his head whenever someone falls to the floor.

Well like any sensational You-Tube video or travel article, there is a grain of truth, but not really anything new compared to past requirements.

As you may recall, when the UK started up the ETA, people who have traveled there for decades were caught up in the question about past and current criminal convictions, resulting in a rejection. It was not new, if you would have applied for a long term visa, it would have rejected you as well, it is just that for short visits, border control did not bother to ask, and had no way to uncover a conviction. But these days, you have to attest to your history, and they have the time to check.

Same with the Schengen area. When you enter using the EEA, you will have to attest to questions about financial means, health insurance, purpose, etc. All things they could have, and occasionally asked before. When ETIAS is implemented, there will be additional questions. Again, nothing new, just more thorough screening.

Similar, it has always been the case that if you showed up at immigration, obviously ill or injured, they would have the right to turn you away (Yes, rarely ever occurs, though during covid it did).

With the Visa waiver requirements many of us travel under, entrance is not guaranteed, nor is it a "right" that you be able to enter, it is up to the judgement of border control.