Tsa No-Fly List Search Process

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.

Real suspects are dealt with through investigation and arrest. This only happens where evidence can be presented. There is no evidence of any nature for those listed. This justifies the fact that they roam freely and have not recorded any statements about criminal involvement. They are suspects or people with similar names as the real suspects. No record can prove their guilt.

The names given on the lists do not have other details like date and place of birth. This means that a ticketing agent has no idea if the person listed is the same seeking to travel. This does not help in situations where people share names. This is a dilemma many agents have to deal with.

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.

It is clear that TSA does not update or track people they have listed as aviation security threats. Many people have been delayed on several occasions. Repeated frisking and search should clear the name immediately. A person who flies regularly should not be confronted by the same challenge from time to time. It is expected that the name would be cleared after the first encounter.

Only by having trouble at the airport does one discover that his name is in the list. Such information is not available before hand. People are allowed to travel if they are listed as selectees. One can therefore not prepare for such delays especially considering that the names keep fluctuating.

Listed individuals are not allowed to use the internet and kiosk or automated check-in systems. Such a person has to personally report to the counter. Some personnel in airports tell individuals if they are listed. The personnel are not obliged to do so.

There is a legal process for reducing suspicion and ensuring that your name is not on the list. A person who suspects that he is there should fill the Traveler Identification Verification Form and submit it to TSA. This process does not lead to total clearance. Some people continue to experience travel hitches despite submitting the form.

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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