Airport ID's/boarding pass question

[Steelersfan]

My brother's office just got a memo stating that if the name on the boarding pass is different from the name on the ID used, they are not allowing people to fly.

Here's what I mean. If I booked as "John A. Smith" when I made my reservation, but my driver's license says "John Allen Smith" it is a problem.

We are flying SouthWest in June and I just have it as my first and last name, my license has my first, middle and Last. He said that this is a bad deal.

My wife called Southwest and they said it was no problem. The TSA website seemed to say the same thing, but was a little vague. I hate to have had bad luck with a representitive that didn't now the policy or something.

Has anyone encountered a problem with this.

I doubt they are keeping people from making their flights because it woud be all over the news. I'm not even sure Southwest gave me the option of middle initials/middle names when I booked. If it is a big deal they should tell you to write the names as it appears on your ID when you book!

I am probably worrying about nothing, but I'd hate to have that day all screwed up. We'll be flying out of Pittsburgh if that helps.

Thanks

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hasn't actually gone into effect, and when it does it will be on a rolling basis by airline. Your airline should inform you if it will be an issue when you fly. I know JetBlue has a link to their alerts page (usually used for weather issues) indicating this.

It might be easier just to get a new license issued, to match your boarding pass That's what I was willing to do.

 

[mommy*RN]

I've noticed that Airtran now has information when you book that your booking information MUST match your ID. I had to laugh because I booked our return flight back in February and just booked our outbound flight today. Looking at the booking for our return flight none of our middle initials are listed, but now they are because they are on our driver's license.

I'm hoping when this goes into effect they will do it by date you booked?? Otherwise it will be interesting...

 

[goofy4tink]

If memory serves...May 15 was the day the airlines were supposed to start getting names that matched IDs when making air reservations. I'm flying in both August and Dec....I'm not overly concerned about whether or not my middle initial/name is on my boarding passes.

 

[cigar95]

Check this thread for all the details (just ignore the fear and hysteria parts of the thread):

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2170714

This requirement will presumably happen at some point in the future, but no date has been set, and it won't be happening any time soon. You have nothing to worry about for now.

 

[rwdavis2]

I'm wondering if this could be a way to help alleviate problems where people are being screened as being on the watch list when they are actually not but have a similar name. For example, Southwest told me to book my daughter using her middle initial and always with here frequent flier number. I still had to get the TSA to clear her specifically (took about 6 months) but no more problems.
BD

 

[DebbieB]

I'm wondering if this could be a way to help alleviate problems where people are being screened as being on the watch list when they are actually not but have a similar name. For example, Southwest told me to book my daughter using her middle initial and always with here frequent flier number. I still had to get the TSA to clear her specifically (took about 6 months) but no more problems.
BD

Later this year they will start also requiring date of birth and gender on reservations. That should help match up the names.

I wouldn't be concerned about any existing reservations, there is going to be a "grace period". Otherwise, there will be chaos at the airport. Here's part of a memo we received at work:

"TSA has built some flexibility into the processes regarding passenger name accuracy. For the near future, small differences between the passenger’s ID and the passenger’s reservation information, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, should not cause a problem for the passenger. Over time, passengers should strive to obtain consistency between the name on their ID and their travel information."

 

[n2mm]

I fly SW and Jetblue and currently neither site even has a place to put your middle name or inital. Until they change their website there is nothing we can do. There are messages on the airline webpages and they saying not to worry if it's all about the middle name. I wouldn't worry too much until we have to. I flew on May 16th and it was not an issue at all. I didn't even know about the new rule until I got home and read it on the disboards.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

My last name is hyphenated, but SWA doesn't like the hyphen. My legal ID is hyphenated. I didn't have any problems getting through security with my non-hyphenated boarding pass name.

 

[princessjane]

My first name is hyphenated. this is ALWAYS been a problem for me. Most of the time I cannot hyphenate my name at all. I always get an error message. So typically I use just Jane. I can see problems here but I guess when I book, I'll call the airline direct.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I tlooks like is is being implemented at different times for different airlines.

American Airlines has the following on its website: "American Airlines is working closely with the TSA to comply with the Secure Flight mandate and will begin collecting SFPD from customers at the time of ticket purchase in the Fall of 2009." -- Suzanne

 

[cigar95]

American Airlines has the following on its website: "American Airlines is working closely with the TSA to comply with the Secure Flight mandate and will begin collecting SFPD from customers at the time of ticket purchase in the Fall of 2009." -- Suzanne

The key thing to note in this announcement is that what's being implemented is the *collection* of more complete information with reservations. There's yet no announcement of anything being implemented when checking in at the airport. (That will come - sometime down the road.)

 

[CPT Tripss]

"Papers please."