Teller — Restaurant in Albuquerque

I travel often for work — multiple flights a month, across the country, and somehow, this was the first place that decided to invent its own laws.

I presented my valid Utah state ID, which happens to be vertical. The manager immediately refused to serve me, claiming it was “illegal” and that they could “get fined.” I politely explained (as someone who actually reads the law) that: There is no New Mexico statute requiring IDs to be horizontal, and I’ve used this exact ID in this same airport and others, without issue.

Still, he doubled down, insisted he was right, and then asked me to leave.

For reference, the New Mexico Liquor Control Act — NMSA § 60-7B-1 and § 60-7B-5 — defines a valid ID as any government-issued document with a photo and birth date showing the person is 21 or older. That’s it. No mention of “vertical” or “horizontal.” Meaning, legally speaking, my ID was perfectly valid. Not to mention TSA had just verified it was me lol.

So, to the manager who decided to make up his own version of state law: next time, try reading it first. And to the owner he name-dropped while showing me the door, you might want to train your staff on what’s actually enforceable before they start embarrassing your establishment in front of business travelers who do this for a living.

It’s one thing to refuse service. It’s another to lie about the law and then act proud of it. This was a masterclass in unprofessionalism.

Future travelers, if you value being treated with a basic level of competence, maybe try...

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