Help!! No-fly list and SWA!

[i like stitch]

I really like flying swa and it's my airline of choice.

Unfortuneately, my name is on the no-fly list (I didn't do anything but several people with my same name did!) so whenever I fly, I can't get boarding passes until I check-in at the airport.

This is not a problem when seats are assigned. It's also not a problem if I fly on swa with someone (usually DH) who isn't on the no-fly list because they easily get the A pass and save me a seat (because I'm always stuck with the B pass no matter that I'm usually one of the first in the swa seating area.) BTW, the airline attendant at check-in is always sympathetic to me because I'm an innocent party but no amount of sympathy can get the computer to spit out the A pass!

I can put up with the above inconveniences and it wasn't a huge problem until now. What happened, you ask? My DH just found out today he's on the no-fly list! We leave in 3 weeks for WDW on a popular nonstop flight, and our DD9 will be with us.

As I see it these are our choices:

The three of us get in the B line and take our chances, hoping we find 2 or 3 seats together.

DD9 gets an A pass, snags a seat upon boarding, acts obnoxious so no one sits with her.

DD isn't the obnoxious sort so the second scenario not likely to work.

I don't know what to do but I'm determined not to allow DD to sit by herself (and I know she would be upset to do so). This is a surprise trip for her so I really don't want problems with this flight to take away from the fun of the surprise!

Any suggestions??

 

[debster812]

I can tell you from my experience flying SWA for both leisure and business, I have switched seats on numerous occasions so a parent could sit with a child. Keep in mind that 9 is technically old enough to fly as an 'unaccompanied minor' so SWA is under no obligation to get you guys together.

However, I am sure you will find another sympathetic traveller who'll help you guys out.

Good Luck!

 

[jctwizzer]

If your flight originates at your airport, getting 3 seats across in the "b" group should be no problem........if it's coming in from another airport, it may be pot luck but I think you still have a good chance of getting 3 accross on a "b" pass. I'd be inclined to get your daughter on with a purse and carry on and have her spread them out.....jmho

 

[PatMcDuck]

My husband flew SW a month ago, and he is on the no fly list too (well not HIM, but his name). I think he said they told him someway to get off it........ he has not gotten around to it yet though!

 

[jiminy14]

My DH is also on the "no-fly" list (again very common name). My DDs and myself have not had a problem with SWA until this past trip in August. When I tried to print out our boarding passes the SWA site would not let me print out any of the passes. I called SWA directly and the agent told me that she did not know what the problem was but that we all had to get our boarding passes at the airport. And yes, my DH's name was on our ressies.
When we got to the airport, my DDs and I were able to check-in with the skycap and got "A"s. My DH had to go inside and got a "B". I inquired with the gate agent as to what the problem might be and why my DDs and I couldn't get our boarding passes. She said that we should have been able to but that there must have been a glitch in the system.
On the return trip, same thing happened. We could not print out any boarding passes until we got to the airport. We got there early but my DDs and I got "B"s and my DH got a "C". When I inquired again, I was told that in the future, I should make my DH's ressies separate from the rest of the family.
My DH did ask about the procedure to have his name removed from the list and was handed a form to fill out and submit to the government. The only drawback is that he would have to submit the original copy of his birth certificate with the form and since his name is so common, they would not guarantee that he would not still have problems.
All I can suggest is to get to the airport early and try to check in with the skycaps. I would also try to be the first family in whatever line you are assigned to. There are usually a lot of pre-boards in Orlando, so if you are in "B" or "C" you need to be at the front of the line. We were all able to sit together with the "B" passes because we were the first family in that line and I saved a seat for my DH.

 

[mainewmn]

Silly question but how can you check the no fly list?

Thanks!

 

[CarolA]

I think that it is very likely that you would get at least two seats without an issue.

Three could be harder.

You can't check the no-fly list. You find out you are on it when you get singled out for the full screen.

 

[CarolMN]

Try making the next reservation using a full middle name - or any way that doesn't exactly match the name format you have been using. Sometimes that is enough to get off the list. It worked for my BIL - he was born in Columbia and has a name that is fairly common in Columbia. Without going into details, when he makes the plane reservation with his full name, there is not a problem.

Best wishes -

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I think I would just get the A pass for the DD and let her grap seats and tell her to but something next to her to save them. If any one asks she can tell them her parents are going to sit with her. I don't think anyone would hassle her about that.

 

[robinb]

I think I would just get the A pass for the DD and let her grap seats and tell her to but something next to her to save them. If any one asks she can tell them her parents are going to sit with her. I don't think anyone would hassle her about that.

Yup. I would have her sit in a seat and put stuff on the other two. I would also recommend that she snag seats in the back where she will be bothered less. If someone tries to sit there, she can say "I'm sorry, I'm waiting for my parents." I don't know if an aisle (saving the middle and window) or a middle seat would be better for her to sit in while she waits. However, the other two seats really are "fair game" with SWA's seating system.

 

[i like stitch]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!

I have tried using my full name in plane reservations & although I have an uncommon middle name, my name was still flagged! Whats a girl to do? I downloaded the TSA paperwork last year to fill out to but after reading through it, it looked like I would continue to be flagged and would still have problems with passes on swa.

The previous poster was correct in that the only way to find out if you're on the no-fly list is when you try to book online and then informed you can't. This is how we found out yesterday that DH's name showed up. He went to get his boarding pass online and it wouldn't work. When he told me, I chuckled (I guess misery loves company) and said "I bet your name is on the no-fly list". He protested because "it wasn't on there last year"! Sure enough, he went to the airport and was given the news...

I like the skycap idea, but I've never used them because you have to check luggage with them??

I think what we'll do is if she feels comfortable going on the plane herself (and trying to save seats), is have her snag some seats toward the back (ugh), spread her stuff around, remain standing, and look busy. We don't check our luggage, so she'll have a couple of items to carry-on--we'll have to pack even lighter so she can manage those by herself. While it would be nice for all 3 of us to sit together, it'll be ok as long as one of us can sit with her.

This may be our last time on swa because of the seating issue which is unfortuneate because it's the only airline here with a direct flight to mco, and it, by far, supercedes the attitudes of the other airlines. And I've also met some really nice passengers flying swa.

debster812, I appreciated hearing that you've switched seats so a family can sit together. For debster812 and those of you who have traded your seats to help someone, here's a big THANK YOU! :thewave:

 

[kelleigh1]

Wow! Sure am glad that I have a very uncommon name. I can't even imagine! I don't have anything else to offer, but sure hope it all works out for you.

 

[Nanajo1]

A while back someone posted that no one would switch seats so she and her young daughter 7-8y could sit together. She said she went up to the person sitting beside her daughter and said when the daughter gets air sick just have the flight attendent find me! Needless to say that person offered to change seats.

 

[somcgregor]

How does one know if they are on the no fly list. I ask this because on my most recent trip on the way there everything went normally through security. However we at Chigco our flight was cancelled due to weather and we were put on Standby and ended up have the full screen we went we out for fresh air (we had another 5 hour wait and were ready to see the outside) When I came home I was again selected, however at the counter they told me that it was a random screening. I would am just wondering if this means I am on the no fly list, because we would like to check in at home before heading to the airport since we have an early morning flight. I have been able to check in on line in the past but have not flown since this most recent trip.

Thank you

 

[i like stitch]

How does one know if they are on the no fly list. I ask this because on my most recent trip on the way there everything went normally through security. However we at Chigco our flight was cancelled due to weather and we were put on Standby and ended up have the full screen we went we out for fresh air (we had another 5 hour wait and were ready to see the outside) When I came home I was again selected, however at the counter they told me that it was a random screening. I would am just wondering if this means I am on the no fly list, because we would like to check in at home before heading to the airport since we have an early morning flight. I have been able to check in on line in the past but have not flown since this most recent trip.

Thank you

I would assume that if you were able to check-in online for your chicago trip, then your screening was truly random. I think the only way to find out if you are on the no-fly list is the inability to check-in online. When you are on the list, the only way to get your pass is by showing your I.D. at the counter. If you have assigned seating with the airline you are flying, it's really not a worry unless the counter line is really, really long and you're short on time. Of course it's a worry if you (and not the name you are sharing) are the one wanted by the government.

On one of my flights with swa this year, I went to the counter and matter-of-factly informed her I needed a pass because I was on the list---she didn't even ask for my I.D.! I was quite surprised!

 

[CarolA]

I have a new idea... Get daughter the A boarding pass and then SWITCH... Send DH on with her pass... Since they don't check IDs they would never know...

 

[seashoreCM]

If two of you have B apssses and the third has a C, and if the first two can find a completely empty row, then take aisle and window seats and pile things in the middle.

Unrelated question 1 -- If a party of 3 has an A pass, a B pass, and a C pass, do they let the whole family in the A group?

Unrelated question 2 -- Is one family member permitted to "save seats" for other family members?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[ksumn1]

I work for an airline and I have to unfortunately agree that it's next to impossible to get off the no fly list. I work in reservations and at least 2 or 3 times a week I have to deal with upset passengers who are on the no fly list and WANT OFF! I hate having to advise that it's because their name is either common or is flagged for some reason, and that I can not get their name off the list. ANd no, there is nno one else you can talk to to get your name off the list. ANd yes, you may speak with my supervisor if you wish, only to have the supervisor word for word repeat what I have already said and apologize again for the problem. Not even my supervisor or call center manager knows how to get on or off the list. I know it is horrible to go thru the rigmarole at the airport every time you travel, but hopefully technology will increas to where the list becomes more selective. There are various airports especially in Europe who are experimenting with biometric systems, eye scans etc along with a government background check that in the future may make it much easier after the inital screening process to travel and ascertain who should and should not be on the list. Also, with my airline if you need a wheelchair, meet and assist, infant traveling, pet or any other "special" request you may not be able to do the online check in, and have to check in at the airport. My tip is if you can do the check in and add the special request after you have check in and received your boarding pass. This may vary form airline to airline but usually you cann either call in and add the request even the day of the flight or even at the airport. Sorry so Long!

 

[CarolA]

If two of you have B apssses and the third has a C, and if the first two can find a completely empty row, then take aisle and window seats and pile things in the middle.

Unrelated question 1 -- If a party of 3 has an A pass, a B pass, and a C pass, do they let the whole family in the A group?

Unrelated question 2 -- Is one family member permitted to "save seats" for other family members?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

No, if party of three has three different letters they are in three different groups. (Exceptions are sometimes made, but that is the offical line)

In theory, No you aren't premitted to save. However, as long as you aren't real greedy folks will understand. (Greedy is the woman who was trying to save three rows... she lost.)

 

[i like stitch]

I have a new idea... Get daughter the A boarding pass and then SWITCH... Send DH on with her pass... Since they don't check IDs they would never know...

That's a great idea but do the passes have the names on them? Our luck, the guy at the gate would greet my DH by DD's name: "Have a good flight, Amelia". Then we would have problems a lot larger than not being able to sit together! I really don't understand why the swa counter can't "over-ride" the computer and get those innocent no-fly passengers an A-pass!

I work for an airline and I have to unfortunately agree that it's next to impossible to get off the no fly list. I work in reservations and at least 2 or 3 times a week I have to deal with upset passengers who are on the no fly list and WANT OFF!

The messenger always gets the brunt of it for sure. I know it's not the airlines fault but it's aggravating when you've stayed up until midnight (and you have to wake up early to head to the airport) to print off your pass and you can't through no fault of your own! Phone calls to TSA after my flight were a huge hassle----I was on hold for looong periods of time. Even she didn't really want to break the news that getting off the list is impossible although you've fill out the paperwork.