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The government has sought to improve its process for checking passengers since the Sept. 11 attacks. The first attempt was scuttled because of fears the government would have access to too much personal information. A new version, called Secure Flight, is being crafted.
But for now, airlines still have the duty to check passengers' names against those supplied by the government. That job has become more difficult - since the 2001 attacks the lists have swelled from a dozen or so names to more than 100,000 names, according to people in the aviation industry who are familiar with the issue. They asked not to be identified by name because the exact number is restricted information.
Not all those names are accompanied by biographical information that can more closely identify the suspected terrorists. That can create problems for people who reserve flights under such names as "T Kennedy" or "David Nelson."
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The Transportation Security Administration, which administers the lists, instructs airlines not to deny boarding to children under 12 - or select them for extra security checks - even if their names match those on a list.
But it happens anyway. Debby McElroy, president of the Regional Airline Association, said: "Our information indicates it happens at every major airport."
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: Giving the person a hard time that is screening you is not going to make anyones day better. We have a job to do and thats that. We dont make the rules as im sure you are aware of, just like police officers dont make the laws. I agree that some of the rules are rediculous and I am for easing the restrictions, but its not my decision to make. I know there are screeners who will be short or down right rude, and they deserve to be given a hard time or their supervisor informed, but when we try and be polite and just get negative responses it sucks. Perfect example: This morning I had to wand someone who had a knee replacement, first individual I had to talk to today, was like 4:30 am or so. I gathered his stuff, and asked him to follow me over to a chair. Asked him, "sir, have you been through this proccess before?". His response was " Every F**KING time.". Granted most people arent like this, I just have to kind of laugh it off. As far as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities go, I try and be just as kind as I am with everyone else. Of course no child is going to strap a bomb to themselves, BUT like someone else had mentioned, there are sick people that will. The people that would actually attempt something would use and older person, child, or someone disabled. Now I personally feel as if everyone I meet is fine and has no bad intensions, but I still have to do my job as if I dont know until I check. Sorry about the long post and I know its kind of all over, but it felt REALLY GOOD to complain about it lol. I am not trying to mock or offend anyone before I get flamed, just hoping people can see it through the "eyes of a screener" if you will.