Need advice with TSA issue.

[Smitty]

If anyone can tell me, I am curious as I have never heard about this happening before..........
Is this something that happens to pilots that are not Americans, or does it happen to people with US passports as well?
I ask as I have lots of friends that are green carder holders and wonder if they know this could happen to them. Also, one has the same name of a known criminal in Boston, that has already caused him identity problems once in the past but not with TSA.
I wouldn't want this to cause him problems, its bad enough the checks the green carders have to do already.

 

[saviboy]

Maybe I am gonna write something silly since I dont know anything about the issue, but have you tried to call AOPA? I have had issues with my foreign student pilots and they helped me a lot. also if you are a member and pay an additional 50-60 dollars (not sure) you can get a lawyer from them.
Good luck anyway.

 

[crashpad]

TSA suggested that he "change his name" so that it did not happen to him again. What a joke.

It's no joke! There is no other option than to change your name.

I have pursued this exact issue to the very top of the TSA in Washington.
Bottom line is:
Once a bad persons name is on the list, everyone in the world with the same name is on the list.
There is no way off the list unless the TSA removes the suspects name (which they don't)!
If you're an airline pilot with 20 years of service, it won't mean Jack Sh!t!

Get used to an extra 20 minutes at checkin where ever and when ever you travel jumpseat, non-rev or purchased full fare...FOREVER!

Get used to gate agents looking at you with a combination of fear and suspicion, while their computer siezes up with a message that you are a possible threat and 'Boarding Denied'. EVERYTIME!

Get used to the unveilng circus bigtop as the Station Manager says:"Huh, I've never seen this before"!

Get used to holding up huge lines of p!ssed off customers who were unfortunate enough to be behind you!

Don't bother thinking you can fix it by going up the chain of command. Trust me, I've been to the top and it's as no different than dealing with the acne faced high school dropout who thinks he's a stud because of an embroidered gold badge on his shirt!

 

[Beechdriver32]

Here’s something that may help.

First of all, I was Non-reving with my family and can’t (for the first time) print out (the night before traveling)a security document for just my 7 year old daughter. I tried to relist her with just an initial, and still wouldn’t get the computer to print one. (Which of course means that I have to wait in line at the ticket counter before I go through security.)



Well, long story short, my little girl’s name is on the list. The ticket agent explained that my daughter’s name matched someone else on the list and there was nothing that my company can do. According to her, my recourse was to speak with the TSA Ombudsman (571-227-2383) and request a Passenger identity Verification Form.



Try giving him a call, hopefully you can work something out.



Good Luck-



BD32



PS For what it’s worth, This happened last weekend, and I flew a turn yesterday with a F/A whose name is also on the list. Maybe it’s a different list, be she now (For the past three weeks) ALWAYS get secondarily screened including her luggage every time she non-revs. Unfortunately she’s an off-line commuter and so far, no real answer from the company or her union. BUT, she is allowed on the plane. Maybe because she’s on a Pass VS. trying to J/S?



Again, good luck.

 

[crashpad]

The Passenger Verification Identification form, which takes about 6 months for the TSA to process, only moves your name closer to the top of the list from which they clear passengers.
Time saved in the checkin process-nothing! And the secondary screening is still mandatory. Yes, you will always get on the plane if you're a good egg, that is, if the agent is willing to hold the plane for you.

 

[filejw]

I was on the nofly list for about six months or so.It didn't effect flying the line just DH and non rev.J/S was not a problem .Everytime I traveled as a pax the agent had to call our in house people to get the no fly off my travel locator. Finally my chief pilot found a TSA # to call.It's the PAX Ominbudsman(sp) and that did cleared it up.Or it was the thought of me delaying a NRT flight trying to DH that may have moved the company along as we came close once or twice.. that may have done it too.

 

[FlierDude]

pongster. check your pm

I'm curious, why PM? Curious minds wanna know, especially if any of us could use the info. I might be on that list tomorrow.

The TSA/HSA is the biggest waste of tax dollars ever conceived IMO. It was only brought about by the post-9/11 need to 'do something' and move pax screening liability issues from the airlines to the government, an agency it's almost impossible to sue should something go wrong.

I agree with stall022, get the ACLU involved. If this snafu costs you a dime, or worse, a loss of credibility with your employer, they should be held responsible. Oh, wait, the Bush zealots are taking away our ability to sue for damages. Guess we'll have to lump it!

.

 

[Tripower455]

Alas, the Greatest Security Show on Earth continues. Pay no mind to the cleaners of undetermined national origin, waltzing in the back door..........

 

[Falconjet]

oops, nevermind

 

[Dizel8]

I would be so frigging teed off, I would be unable to stand it.
I would be so hunting for a newspaper or talk show to vent my ire.

But that is just me, and I am often wrong

 

[dispatchguy]

I agree with stall022, get the ACLU involved. .

I thought the ACLU already filed suit to get the all-foresaken list declared unconstitutional.

In fact...

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=16955&c=206

 

[FlyingFred]

I am trying to figure out what this secondary list is..pardon my ignorance. I've had a flight attendant once with a "common" name (last name) that was on a list (i.e. smith)...ops had to call the police, who simply imputted her social security number into a handheld computer and it was verified within two minutes that she in particular was not on the wanted list...is this what we are talking about?

In this case, it did not take very long to verify, as the police had a hand-held computer that spit out the info within minutes....she said this happens all the time when she is dead-heading....

 

[HAL]

Same problem here too.

Someone with my name is on the 'deny boarding' list. If I non-rev on my own airline, they have to take my ID (drivers license) and call reservations so they can clear the computer and let me on.

So yes - I can have on my uniform and be handed the keys to an Airbus with 150 passengers in the back, and I'm trusted with their lives. Or I can request a jumpseat at the gate and sit with the guys in front of the locked door. But if I try and ride with the passengers, the TSA has a snit and puts me through the n'th degree before they'll let me on.

Also, Ive tried that ombudsman number. Absolutely no help there.

HAL

 

[FedEx1]

I guess I am paranoid, but....

Not that I ever want to side with the TSA, and I am sure they screw up all the time.... but.... How do we all know you are who you really say you are? I am not trying to be rude, but everyone is trying to help someone they don't know get aorund the TSA security procedures and get into the cockpit of an airplane. (Change your name, there's a good one.)

If Pongster is legit, and MOST likely he is, then his company and an attorney can handle this. We probably shouldn't be offering the public ways to get into a cockpit.

Anythign related to the security of our system and our aircraft needs to be kept confidential.

Just the humble opinion from a guy that has actually been over there....

 

[vc10]

Fine, but why hasn't the TSA figured out some system for letting the innocent thru? The innocent should not have to bear the burden of govt incompetence. You can bet that if a congresscritter or other important bureaucrat had a name on that list, they'd find a way to exempt him/her lickety split.

Not that I ever want to side with the TSA, and I am sure they screw up all the time.... but.... How do we all know you are who you really say you are? I am not trying to be rude, but everyone is trying to help someone they don't know get aorund the TSA security procedures and get into the cockpit of an airplane. (Change your name, there's a good one.)

If Pongster is legit, and MOST likely he is, then his company and an attorney can handle this. We probably shouldn't be offering the public ways to get into a cockpit.

Anythign related to the security of our system and our aircraft needs to be kept confidential.

Just the humble opinion from a guy that has actually been over there....