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:

Absolutely false story about my travel today. NJSP security detail & I were led to one entrance in the airport by PAPD officer. TSA informed PAPD and NJSP that this was the wrong way to enter and directed us to another entrance where I was screened & admitted to the airport(1/2) — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 18, 2018

Neither option was the way I entered airport as Governor(wrong in the story) and PAPD officer never denied me entry at either place (also wrong in story). He was a gentleman assisting my security detail. When he got the right info he took me to the right place. Pure fiction.(2/2) — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 18, 2018

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.