I’m going for the low-hanging fruit with this post – the Transportation Security Administration. Sure, they’ve just been embroiled in an embarrassing information leak, but recent e-mails from my frequently traveled airlines have been reminding me about the ongoing implementation of the TSA’s Secure Flight program. As someone doubtful of most TSA initiatives, I’m thinking that some elements of this one may simply exist to cause frustration and confusion.
Secure Flight is a program that collects additional information from travellers (such as date of birth) to cross reference booking names with no-fly lists and look for other red flags. In addition to the program’s garish disregard for individual privacy, one provision seems pretty unnecessary: all passengers’ names on their identification must match the name on a ticket to clear security.
It appears that the system has already been causing some confusion and problems. It would be understandable if there was a complete mismatch between the ID name and ticket name, however it appears that even people who list a nickname different than the name on their ID may have difficulty flying. Thanks to hefty fees that airlines charge to change a name on a ticket, I wouldn’t be surprised if air carriers have supported this rule on the grounds that they can garner some extra revenue.
I think the larger point, however, is that it shouldn’t be at all necessary to show ID before going through the screening process. Bin Laden himself should be able to enter the screening area, for all the TSA cares, because the screening process ought to be tight enough to prevent weapons and other dangerous objects from passing through. If the TSA is relying on matching names exactly, it should think again, especially in light of one reporter’s easy infiltration of the system last year.
The point is that the cost in loss of individual liberty, frustration, missed flights, and non-value added transfers to airlines (in the form of name-change fees) from this proposal likely far outweighs any benefits. Rather than targeting resources on making sure peoples’ names are spelled correctly, TSA should instead focus on fixing fundamental problems with its screening process if it wants to improve safety.
Every week we bring you in-depth interviews with leading thinkers and entrepreneurs from the world of technology. The most recent episode features 