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The Need-To-Know Basics About TSA's 'Secure Flight' Program

October 14, 2009 at 11:23 AM | by | Comments (0)

These days, when the TSA announces a new security measure, we are ready to be confused and inconvenienced by it. Their "Secure Flight" program began in much this way as well, with the TSA frustrating travelers with demands for complete names on tickets and a disclosure of birthdate and gender.

But as Secure Flight progresses, we've barely noticed the changes as we fly about the country, and nothing has tripped us up quit yet. Nonetheless, it's important to know what airport security is doing when they scrutinize your ticket and how to handle any possible issues as Secure Flight zeros in on whether or not you are possibly terrorist.

After the jump, the basics of what you need to know about Secure Flight.

· The name on your ticket must match the one on your government-issued picture ID
This was the first step of Secure Flight, implemented earlier this year, which is the big decider in their pegging you as a terrorist or not. For instance, our government-issued ID has our full middle name on it. Thus, when we book airline tickets, we include that. Before we even arrived at the airport for our flight, the TSA has checked our name against the terrorist watch list and noted that our full name is not on it, thus allowing us to continue on our merry way through security as usual when we do fly.

This is particular helpful for those with ultra-common names like "Mike Jones," when there might be a Mike Jones on the watch list and it's not you. Watch list Mike Jones might have a middle name or suffix different from yours, and Secure Flight notes that allows you, "Mike Millicent Jones, III," to continue on.

· Pin down what gender you are and provide your birthdate during ticket purchase
This is just another way for the TSA to double-check that you're not the person on their watch lists. For instance, "Corey Smith" could be a boy or girl of any age, but if you provide that you're Corey Smith, born in 1975 and a female and the Corey Smith they don't want to fly is born in 1963 and male, then you're good to go.

· You won't get a birthday card from the TSA, but you will be clear
If you follow common sense with this program and simply fill in your correct name, birthdate and gender when booking your ticket on airline websites or other travel booking websites and you aren't a bad person wanted or suspected by the government, then TSA's Secure Flight program won't touch you at all or delay your trip further. No strip-searches for everyone in line nor will there be a choice of "undecided" in the gender section.

Related Stories:
· TSA's Secure Flight Program Advances, Asks A/S/L? [Jaunted]
· Secure Flight Program [TSA.gov]
· TSA Secure Flight Information [American Airlines]
· TSA Watch coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: TSA]

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