Sunday, April 20, 2014

Tsa No-Fly List Search Procedures

By Essie Osborn


Many questions have been asked about the names of people prohibited from flying. The number keeps on changing depending on security updates provided. Conducting a TSA no-fly list search does not tell much about the person. The names indicate suspicion and are likely to be wrong in a number of ways.

Identifying a terrorist before an act is committed is a very difficult affair. Airline agents and security apparatus have been unable to do this for years. 9/11 proved that terrorists can live among people without being detected and still manage to perform heinous acts. People listed by the aviation safety regulators are sometime harmless. Others have names similar to listed individuals.

The normal procedure for dealing with a suspect is to investigate and arrest where evidence exists. People listed by the authorities, including the selectees have not been linked to any crime. This explains why they are free. The names are updated on regular basis with numerous names being included while others are struck out. Authorities have no record to prove these people guilty.

The listing does not come with other details such as place of birth or the date. Such details would help ticketing agents to fully identify the person at the counter. Some have been suspected yet they only share one name or even initials. This is inconveniencing to many people.

False positives are individuals whose names are similar to those listed. The scenario has been stressful especially for frequent travelers. They endure interrogation, searches and delays at various airports. This has happened several times to Senator Ted Kennedy because of the appearance of a person by the name T Kennedy.

TSA has failed to keep track of the people listed on this platform. This has caused numerous people to be delayed time and again. The fact that the search and frisking are repeated indicates a fault with the system of including the names. A frequent flier would expect that after the first search, his name will be cleared to eliminate suspicion in subsequent trips.

A person only discovers if he is on the list or not when he encounters trouble at the airport. It is impossible to verify if you have been blacklisted before hand. Being allowed to travel could also happen if you are listed among the selectees.

Automated check-in system, internet and kiosks in airports are not open to listed individuals. They are required to present themselves personally at the counter when traveling. It is possible to check if you have been listed through the airport personnel though they are not mandated to give you this information.

TSA has provided individuals who suspect that their names could be in the list with the chance to reduce suspicion. They have provided the Traveler Identification Verification Form. It helps clear the name in case it is shared. All people are not completely cleared since some continue to experience difficulties during travel.

A person who thinks that he has been listed can seek redress through constitutionally provided channels. There are civil organizations helping such individuals to reduce the level of suspicion. This will clear you from constant harassment.




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