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This is a passenger "vetting" program... a watch list matching process that checks passengers against government watch lists before a boarding pass is issued. It became obvious from the 2009 incident that this partially implemented system was not successful... stay tuned for full implementation and changes.
This program is supposed to be behind the scenes. In the past, it was up to the individual airline, and their front line passenger service agents to match passenger's names to the "no-fly" list.
In May 2009, participating U.S. airlines started asking passengers making reservations to provide their name -- and this is important -- AS IT APPEARS on the government issued identification they will be using for their flight.
In August of 2009, they began asking for your date of birth and your gender when making reservations. By providing this additional information, they were hoping to make life easier for passengers whose name is similar to names on the no fly list... those who might have been misidentified in the past. The plan should make it easier to identify individuals who may pose threats.
They were hoping to have the Secure Flight Program technology fully implemented for domestic flights in early 2010. It will probably happen faster.
The airlines transmit the information to the Secure Flight program where the TSA now uses new technology to match names against their various lists... they then transmit the information back to the airline indicating that a passenger should be put on the NO-Fly List and not issued a boarding pass... or they may indicate a passenger should be put on a "Selectee List" and issued a boarding pass, but with more security screening before proceeding through the checkpoint and to the boarding gate.
As we said before, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration will probably be speeding all of this up. The rules of this program may be subject to change, and whatever happens in the future, they are probably going to be more strict in enforcing them.
So why do you need to know about this? Because you can make it easier on yourself by making reservations the right way.... buy using your name.... as it appears on your driver's license or passport or whatever government document you will be using for identification at the airport.
And then carry that identification with you and arrive at the airport early, because security checkpoint lines may be longer than ever.
You may still encounter delays and frustrations, but there is no need to cause them for yourself by using a nickname instead of the name on your identification!
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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