- The air travel experience has gone through some significant
changes in the past few years, mostly in the name of safety and security.
Travelers have adjusted to the security procedures and have come to expect
that these may involve waiting in longer lines, having personal items searched
and being subject to increased scrutiny.
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- Though most travelers go through these procedures without
a problem, what about the travelers who are singled out for additional,
time-consuming security checks for reasons unknown to them?
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- Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration,
a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been developing
methods to assess the risk level of air travelers. One part of this risk
assessment includes a "no-fly" list with names of individuals
suspected of being a threat to airline or passenger safety. Much is unclear
about the criteria federal authorities use to place people on the list,
but any individual whose name appears on this list will most likely be
subject to additional security checks and may potentially be denied boarding.
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- Although your name is most likely not on the list, you
still can encounter problems if your name resembles one on the list. For
law-abiding travelers who are unfortunate enough to closely match a name
on the list, this can make traveling a bit more of a hassle.
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- The TSA says the main reason these travelers would be
singled out is to ensure they are who they say they are. Unfortunately,
if this kind of name match happens once, it is likely to happen every time
the person travels.
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- If you find yourself in this situation, there are steps
you can take to try to fix the problem. The TSA recommends calling the
TSA's Office of the Ombudsman at (571) 227-2383 or (877) OMBUDSMAN, toll
free, to report the problem and request a resolution. Travelers also may
e-mail the office at TSA.Ombudsman(at)dhs.gov or send a fax to (571) 227-1387.
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- Groups such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center
have expressed concern with the creation and maintenance of the no-fly
list. The main issues most people have raised are the question of who maintains
the list and why there is not an independent agency responsible for checking
the quality and accuracy of the no-fly list.
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- According to news reports, the TSA relies on intelligence
and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, CIA and the Immigration
and Naturalization Service, to provide the names that make up the list,
and does not ask the agencies what qualifying factors are used.
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- According to documents obtained by EPIC from the TSA,
the no-fly list is made up of two watch lists - one identifying people
who are to be denied travel and another list of "selectees" who
will be subject to additional screening before they may board the plane.
If you feel your name has mistakenly appeared on one of these lists contact
the TSA at the phone number or e-mail address above.
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- For more information about the TSA, visit www.tsa.gov.
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- Ed Adams is chairman and CEO of Navigant International.
Comments can be sent to biztraveler(at)navigant.com, or visit www.navigant.com.
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- Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.
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- http://www.abqtrib.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=BIZTRAVELER-12-10-03&cat=FF
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