should we be alarmed?
Jun. 7th, 2009 09:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
calimacHere's a travel columnist warning that the new TSA security program (it's called Secure Flight, though he doesn't mention that) requires that your boarding pass, credit card with which you bought your ticket, and drivers' license all have exactly the same form of name on it, or else something unspecified but TERRIBLE will happen. Probably they won't let you on your flight. Maybe they'll drag you off for Enhanced Interrogation.
The kicker is that he claims this includes your middle name in the - apparently he considers this the unusual - circumstances that it's listed on your drivers' license or passport. Who is he kidding? Passports get their names from birth certificates, and at least in both states where I've had drivers' licenses, they're also expected to carry your full legal name.
The airline I'm next flying, by contrast, doesn't even provide a space for middle name in the passenger info section of its reservation form.
Meanwhile the TSA's own web site assures you that nothing of the sort is meant. The animation on their splash page gives as an example nicknames: from many Alex Johnsons, specifying Alexandria Johnson, female, specific birth date. That's OK; we've always made B's airline reservations under the full first name she doesn't use, because that's what's on her documents. (Not that she's flying anywhere this year, and the hassles even of "ordinary" security are one reason she's disinclined to go.)
Apparently what the airlines are going to do is start contacting passengers to collect this info separately from the reservation process. You don't have to add your middle name to your credit card, or delete it from your passport. Relax.
The kicker is that he claims this includes your middle name in the - apparently he considers this the unusual - circumstances that it's listed on your drivers' license or passport. Who is he kidding? Passports get their names from birth certificates, and at least in both states where I've had drivers' licenses, they're also expected to carry your full legal name.
The airline I'm next flying, by contrast, doesn't even provide a space for middle name in the passenger info section of its reservation form.
Meanwhile the TSA's own web site assures you that nothing of the sort is meant. The animation on their splash page gives as an example nicknames: from many Alex Johnsons, specifying Alexandria Johnson, female, specific birth date. That's OK; we've always made B's airline reservations under the full first name she doesn't use, because that's what's on her documents. (Not that she's flying anywhere this year, and the hassles even of "ordinary" security are one reason she's disinclined to go.)
Apparently what the airlines are going to do is start contacting passengers to collect this info separately from the reservation process. You don't have to add your middle name to your credit card, or delete it from your passport. Relax.
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-07 05:22 pm (UTC)Because that improves security....
B
no subject
Date: 2009-06-07 08:57 pm (UTC)*argh*
Still better than the checkin (late at night) at LA last I was there. Turned out the terminal I was using had lost all it's automatic scanning for the luggage. So I checked in (including luggage) and then joined one of two long lines to the only (portable) scanner for luggage they had running there. Everyone was in those lines for all the terminal planes. And no warning at anypoint before arrival.
Luck for your travel - and twitter the airport early!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-08 12:39 am (UTC)Me... only one of my credit cards has my middle name on it - and it's not the one I would use to pay for a plane ticket. Heh.