Does Your Common Last Name Often Put You On The No-Fly List?
We happen to know someone very near and dear to us who is unfortunately on the TSA No-Fly List. Or at least that's what we've surmised every time we've had to travel with him. While his criminal record is non-existent it seems that there is someone else out there with his very common first and last name who has committed some sort of criminal act that has placed him on the No-Fly list.
As it is, our friend is what is called a False Positive, someone with a similar name as a person on the No-Fly list. What this means is our friend cannot check-in online because the airlines have to see his driver's license (or other form of ID) with his birth date and address. This has been happening on and off for about five years.
Now, we're not saying it happens to everyone with a common last name (Jones, Smith, White, etc.) but having that last name doesn't help. Nor does a common first name like Michael or Jennifer.
While not being able to check-in online is a pain, it also means our friend cannot secure a good seat or early boarding group when flying Southwest. And he has to get to the airport much earlier than the rest of us. Plus, we're especially worried how this will play out for him now that airlines are penalizing folks who check-in at the airport instead of online in the form of various fees.
It seems the only option here is for our friend to buy a membership to Clear in order to speed through the airport but even that's not a guarantee since not all airports have Clear.
Help a fellow passenger out: Any suggestions for getting around this No-Fly List/False Positive? Put your tips in comments below.
[Photo: Mathowie]
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