Secure Flight and You

Beginning in mid-2009, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require travelers, when making a reservation, to provide full name, date of birth and gender as it is shown on the identification document that will be presented at airport security check-points. This information is not optional. The purpose of collecting this information is to allow TSA to perform terrorist watch list matching that is currently being done by each airline. Failure to provide the required elements in advance could: (1) inhibit ability to get a boarding pass either at home or at the airport until the information has been provided; and, (2) require travelers to undergo additional airport security screening.

If you have a name similar to or the same as a name on the current terrorist watch list, and have experienced secondary security screenings at airports, you will have the option of preventing this in the future by providing your Redress Number at the time of booking. A Redress Number is a unique number that helps TSA eliminate watch list misidentification. To apply for a Redress Number go to DHSTrip.gov.
 

Tips for Travelers

	Full service clients may assist Travel Leaders in updating their profiles the next time they call or by using the secure profile form on our website. For clients using our online booking product, ResX, simply go into ResX and add the data in the appropriate profile fields.
	While not all reservation systems have been programmed yet to accept all Secure Flight data elements such as date of birth, gender and Redress Number, you should begin making reservations using your full name and, when applicable, provide your date of birth and gender. All data elements should match exactly the ID you plan to present at the airport. For example, if your state-issued driver’s license lists your name as Anthony Q Public, then your reservation must be booked as Anthony Q Public, not Tony Q Public or A. Quinn Public. If your full middle name is on the ID, you must include your full middle name in the reservation.
	Verify your name on your frequent traveler profiles. If you signed up for frequent traveler programs using a nickname or a name other than your name as shown on your identification, you should contact each frequent traveler program to update your name to match Secure Flight’s full name requirement. For example, frequent traveler program participant Tony Q Public should update his frequent flyer profiles to Anthony Q Public so that he does not jeopardize receiving credit when traveling under his full name as required by Secure Flight.
	If you use your state-issued ID card for some trips and your passport for other trips, check to see if the names match exactly, as passports often include full middle names and state issued ID cards may only include a middle initial. If the names do not match exactly, for each trip you must remember to use the name format of the identifying document that you plan to use.
	Be sure to bring your valid government-issued documentation when flying.
	Visit TSA.gov for updates on Secure Flight.

How will my personal information be handled?

TSA will collect the minimum amount of personal information necessary to conduct effective watch list matching. Furthermore, personal data will be collected, used, distributed, stored, and disposed of in accordance with stringent guidelines and all applicable privacy laws and regulations.
 

What about my privacy rights?

Ensuring the privacy of individuals is a cornerstone of Secure Flight. TSA has developed a comprehensive privacy plan to incorporate privacy laws and practices into all areas of Secure Flight. The program has worked extensively to maximize individual privacy.