GovernmentExecutive.com

The Homeland Security Department announced on Monday procedures intended to reduce the hassles for airline passengers whose names mistakenly appear on terrorist watch lists.

The department will allow airlines to keep a person's date of birth in their records, which can be used to clear up mismatches with the watch lists.

Individuals must voluntarily give the airlines their date of birth under these procedures.

Additionally, the records will enable those individuals to check-in online or at kiosks, which had been prohibited.

"Hassles due to misidentification and the resulting necessity to stand in line to check in at the ticket counter are consistently among the deepest -- and most valid complaints of the traveling public," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

The department also unveiled new security operations Monday at one checkpoint at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The operations are intended to create a calming effect for travelers, which will make it easier for security officials to identify threatening individuals.

COMMENTS

• To some degree I agree with ritgar...Roger - your cynicism might be applicable to those who are not careerist. What is interesting is that in spite of the DHS/TSA policies that state their level of scrutiny is the same for all, there are still levels of security screening based on who you know and who you are. I am amazed that those who have spent a career with top secret and special clearances working on national security and in defense of our nation, are treated the same as "everyone else" who are not as “well known” because they have not had multiple SSBI’s, etc. Has DHS/TSA done a risk analysis to determine probability of these trusted citizens going bad? And then based on the risk assessment, what is the cost-benefit of the current process verses a system where these trusted federal/military people with proper ID can be provided the same access provided to TSA screeners who do not possess the same level of background investigation nor the years of loyalty to the nation, and have been entrusted with the most sensitive national secrets??? There is no 100% fail-safe, and the current process is already rift with evolved “loopholes” executed at the discretion of those behind the TSA badges. So when will DHS/TSA develop policies based on analysis vice speculation and politics?? Not anytime soon! Meanwhile, you can bring a 4-inch screwdriver as carry-on but the 1-inch knife on your nail clipper or money clip remains a threat to aviation security…go figure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PM Posted May 6, 2008 12:39 PM
• TSA can be quite ridiculous at times. I know of a veteran federal agent who is authorized to travel armed on official business, in compliance with FAA, TSA and DHS requirements. While boarding a flight, a TSA screener told him he couldn't bring a small folding knife he had carried for years with him on the plane, because it was a prohibited item! This agent had no problem travelling with a firearm and ammunition, but the screener said he couldn't bring his little pocketknife on board! A TSA supervisor finally had to be called over to resolve the situation. Talk about a total lack of discretion, respect and even common sense! ICEd Posted May 1, 2008 4:09 PM
• Roger, although there are exceptions to every rule, in general I'd trust federal employees with secret Government clearances a lot more than business travelers who simply pay a fee to be expedited through security checkpoints! Just Saying Posted May 1, 2008 3:57 PM