The late Gov. Brendan Byrne used to joke that he knew he was no longer governor when he "would jump in the back seat of a car and it wouldn't move."
On Thursday, it was former Gov. Chris Christie's chance to learn that similar rules apply for air travel.
Two days after leaving office, the now-former governor was turned away from a special access area that circumvents TSA security at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Christie, accompanied by his State Police security, was escorted to the checkpoint commonly used by dignitaries -- but the ex-governor was told he was not cleared to use the entrance, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Instead, Christie was sent to the regular security screening line for all passengers.
Christie did not object or make a scene and went to the general boarding area, according to the source, who asked to remain anonymous because they are not authorized to speak about the incident.
A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- the agency oversees the airport -- declined to comment.
CBS New York was the first to report the news.
Christie took to Twitter to deny parts of what was reported:
Former governors get a State Police security detail for a period of time after they leave office.
Christie couldn't be immediately reached for comment through a former aide.
The Republican finished eight years as governor -- the most allowed consecutively by state law -- on Tuesday, when Democrat Phil Murphy was sworn in to succeed him.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.