I had hoped that sometime after January 23, 2009, the Transportation Security Agency would loosen some of its silly regulations regarding passenger/traveler screening procedures instituted under the previous administration. My hopes were dashed, when the TSA announced recently that names on travel documents and government-issued IDs must now match exactly. This seemed like asking for trouble. And that's what's happening, according to a report yesterday on 9News:
" The difference between Don and Donald and Peg and Peggy might not seem
like much, but it could be enough to give you a big headache. Starting this
summer, air travelers are being required to have the name on their airline
ticket and the identification they use at the airport match exactly.
The change is part of Transportation Security Administration's Secure
Flight Program. It was created to solve problems created for travelers with
names similar, but not exactly the same, as individuals on the No Fly List. By
having travelers use their full legal name, it is hoped that fewer people will
be confused with identified terrorists.
"In addition, starting in mid-August passengers will need to provide
airlines with their date of birth and gender.
"While the new requirements may help people previously confused with
individuals on the No Fly List, they also could cause travel problems for the
general public if you are not prepared for them."
I rarely use my middle name or middle initial, but my passport reads "Claire Margaret Walter" and my Colorado driver's license reads Claire M Walter. When making an airline reservation from here on in, I need to be mindful of whether the trip is international or domestic and book accordingly. I can't tell you how many travel agencies have issued tickets to Claire Walters with an S on my last name, or to Clare Walter or Clair Walter without the I or the E in my first.
It could be worse for my son, Andrew Cameron-Walter and others with hyphenated names. Some computer programs cannot recognize hyphens and run a double last name together as one, while others can and do. I don't remember how his passport reads or what it says on his driver's license.
My belief is that real "evil doers" intent on causing mischief or mayhem in the air will be meticulous about matching their tickets and their IDs, no matter how they obtained those IDs, while innocent travelers will again be entangled in the web of TSA harassment.
I do wonder, however, whether I could be again be permitted through security with a boarding pass with the name Christopher Weber. Click here to read about that wondrous travel experience last December.
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This is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteAnother problem arises for people using accounts and templates setup on airline websites. (Which have their personal info and mileage numbers loaded in.) Or as you mention travel companies which have names already on file
I have an international trip scheduled for this fall, already booked with the airline. Should I call and ask them to change the name on my account, so when I print the itinerary it matches my passport? Will they "fee" me for this?
And what about my domestic trip occurring BEFORE my int'l trip. My drivers license is slightly different than my passport, and although I could use my passport 100% of the time I prefer to leave it at home for domestic trips.
I have a space in my last name. Many companies can't or fail to acknowledge the space. I've never cared, and frequently need to say "try it without the space" for my reconds to be found But who knows if this will be problematic.
You mentioned two examples in your family. I am an example. I'm a well versed traveler and I don't even know what to do. Imagine a family of O'Leary Van somethings traveling together for the first time in four years.
I would dare predict there will be so many name variations that aren't or won't be rectified before travel that the rule will be too burdensome to even enforce.
One can hope. James
One more reason why much of the American public has decided to drive instead of flying. Many of my Texa ski clients used to fly to Coloraod and now drive because of the many annoyances encountered when flying.
ReplyDeleteI drive whenever possible within the US and only fly to international destinations.
The airlines should challenge this as it may hurt their business.
James - I hadn't thought about the "Van" and "Von" and "de" and "de la" (and maybe even "Mc" and Mac") Something last names, but of course, you are right. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSybille - The airlines have so many other problems right now tat they sure don't need this one. And I agree that it is another reason for people to prefer driving to flying within the US.
I got the problem that my DC account is running on my middle name, whereas my tickets are always issued to my first name plus intial. Will I have problems if ticket says Patrick M Miller and status card says Michael Miller?
ReplyDelete"UaM" - According to what I have read about this stupid new regulation, you probably will have a problem. The new policy, which the TSA insists that it will enforce, requires the name on the ticket and on a government-issued ID to be identical. This is for flights boarding in the US. In Europe, passengers don't have to remove their shoes, discard their water, etc. -- unless you are flying to the US, in which case TSA rules apply. If you are flying within Europe or from there to another continent, you can anticipate security to be less robotic and more reasonable. At least you can hope so.
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