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*IMPORTANT* Security Requirements from TSA
Alright all you parents out there, it’s time to stop snacking on the candy you confiscated after “checking it for safety” from the kid’s Halloween loot! Instead you’re going to want to pay attention if you are travelling or planning to travel to the United States in the future.
On November 1, 2010, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented the Secure Flight Program. Below is an excerpt from the TSA website:
Secure Flight, the Transportation Security
Administration’s (TSA) behind-the-scenes watch list matching program, fulfills
a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission by assuming responsibility of watch
list matching from individual airlines. By establishing a consistent watch list
matching system, Secure Flight enhances aviation security and more effectively
facilitates air travel for passengers.
Secure Flight requires airlines to collect a passenger’s full name (as it
appears on government-issued ID), date of birth, gender and Redress Number (if
applicable). By providing complete information, passengers can significantly
decrease the likelihood of watch list misidentification.
Essentially, what they are saying is the name on your airline tickets must match EXACTLY as they appear on your passport. If a middle name is not on the passport or only an initial appears, then the TSA regulation makes it clear that the ticket should be booked as it appears on the passport or government issued ID.
If you have air travels booked to the United States and are not sure whether the names you submitted comply with the new regulations, contact your airline or booking source prior to arriving at the airport to ensure a smooth check-in process at the airport.
Now that we’ve said the important stuff you can get back to “candy checking”.
