TSA Sets Out to Bust Watch List “Myths”

Myth: There are more than one million names on the The Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov) Watch List of those who potentially pose threats to the air transportation system.

Fact: The TSA is making a concerted effort to bust what it contends is a major myth.

For starters, the TSA says there is no 'list' to begin with. The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains a list, specifically in the Terrorist Screening Center. According to a TSA blog, “The [Terrorist Screening] Center has said publicly that there are less than 400,000 individuals on the overall consolidated Watch List, 95 percent of whom are not U.S. persons, and the vast majority of whom are not even in the U.S.”

So how many lists are really out there, and how many people are on each list? TSA says the prevailing myth is that more than one million people are on these 'lists.' Not so, insists the government. While there are under 400,000 on the Watch List, there are fewer than 50,000 on the No-Fly and Selectee lists (the latter is where people are pulled out of line for extra screening).

Finally, there’s a matter of whose name is on the No-Fly and Selectee lists. Folk wisdom has it Ted Kennedy, and “Robert Johnson” are there. Not so, says TSA. “These individuals are NOT on the No-Fly or Selectee lists,” says the agency’s blog.

Here’s what is happening: Today, Watch List matching is conducted by the airlines. “In some cases,” TSA concedes, “individuals with similar names are misidentified, folks experience inconvenience like no remote check-in, but they are allowed to fly.”

The Transportation Security Administration insists the number of misidentifications sill be significantly cut when its new Secure Flight initiative takes off. Then, TSA will take over Watch List matching form the airlines, something the carriers have lobbied for a long time now.

©Chapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

Comments

[Archie HInman]

You have got to be Kidding! To say that having your name appear on a Watch list or No fly List may cause some minor inconvenience is laughable at the least. I am a former chief of security at a international airport and as such my officers handled situations where someone matched a entry on the watch list once or twice a week. What happens is the person is denied check in and boarding until a law enforcement officer interviews them and verifies their identification. Then if they are not the person in question they are allowed to continue their travel.

One gentleman that I knew personally matched every time that he tried to fly and was never able to get his name cleared from the list. He died in 2006 still on the list. This man was a honorably discharged senior officer from the armed services who had retired after more than twenty years of duty that also required that he maintain a top secret clearance. Again I have firsthand knowledge of all of this.

As the person responsible for the overall security of the airport my office was required to conduct fingerprint based background checks of all people requesting access to secure areas including TSA personnel. To my surprise and dismay I quickly learned that TSA was willing to hire convicted felons, admitted drug addicts and alcoholics even when they themselves had done a similar background check and were aware of the person’s history. Remember, these people are placed in a position of great public trust and are generally given access to very sensitive information regarding personal information of members of the traveling public and current security measures.