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More No-Fly List Drama Sees Flight Interrupted in Montreal

Over this weekend, while you were likely BBQing or breaking out your swimsuit for the summer, more Federal No Fly List drama went down in the skies. An Aeromexico flight from Paris to Mexico City was diverted to Montreal when it was discovered that a passenger onboard was listed on the US' No-Fly List.

Abdirahman Ali Gaal, believed to be a part of al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida ally in Somalia, was removed from the plane, which then continued on to Mexico City. So why, you ask, would a flight that does not land in the US be stopped abroad for a passengers on a US list? Well, it's simple: the United States wouldn't allow the plane to fly into its airspace. And you kind of need that permission when you're on a Paris-Mexico City flight.

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Times Square Terrorism Suspect Faisal Shahzad Arrested on an Emirates Flight

Only 55 hours after the SUV filled with a makeshift explosive device was found and investigated in NYC's Times Square, the police have apprehended the lead suspect. Where was Faisal Shahzad, you ask? Oh, just onboard Emirates flight to Dubai, getting ready to depart from JFK Airport; the cabin door had even already been closed.

Although Shahzad was added to the No-Fly List earlier on Monday, Emirates crew failed to double-check the updated list and ignored a memo that an important new name had been added. Thus, he bought his ticket that day in cash and boarded the plane just fine until the airline sent its final passenger list to Customs and Border Protection, according to Gothamist, which flagged his name and acted quickly to re-board the plane and arrest him.

More details, after the jump

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How Does Someone End Up on the Federal No-Fly List?

We have a friend with a common enough name that it's landed him on the No-Fly List. As a result, it creates major hassle when checking in for flights, since he cannot check in online and checking in with an agent at the airport usually requires the presence of a manager. Thankfully, the new rule to include middle names on tickets has helped slightly, but the No-Fly List continues to be a headache.

So how do people end up on the No-Fly List? What exactly is the process? It's something we've wondered for a while, and happily the AP mustered their sources for a glimpse into the steps that makes Joe Smith (a sample average name) into Joe Smith, suspected terrorist and No-Fly List entry.

The awesome infographic, after the jump.

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Open Thread / No-Fly List / TSA / Airport Security / → All Tags

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.

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