If you’re a Canadian who booked a flight to the United States or is flying in U.S. airspace enroute to the Caribbean or Mexico, you may want to read this post!
As of November 1st, 2009, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented the next public phase of their U.S. Secure Flight Program. In this post we explain what this program is, who’s involved and how will it effect you as a Canadian traveller.
Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes program developed by the TSA in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security. It promises to enhance the security of domestic and international air travel through the collection of specific passenger information for the purpose of comparing it to US security watch lists.
Click here to read the program brochure.
Airlines have been asked to collect this information from passengers upon booking and submit it to U.S. authorities so that they can match it to their watch lists, which identify known and suspected terrorists. Homeland Security says the program streamlines the security process and helps passengers whose names are similar to those on watch lists avoid misidentification.
The other benefits of the program include improving the preflight security process (since the watch list matching takes place before boarding passes are issued) and does not affect the security screening that takes place at the airport.
For anyone who booked a U.S. flight before November 1st, this next stage of the program does not affect you. Effective immediately, when you book a flight destined to the United States, your airline will gather the following information* (minimum 72 hours prior to departure):
- Your full name as it appears on the government issued I.D. that you will be using to travel
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Redress number, if applicable (see below for more information)
*Failure to provide this information may result in additional screening time, check-in time and/or denied boarding.
Since the U.S. authorities have stated their intention of expanding the requirements to all flights that enter the United States airspace, some airlines (such as Transat Holidays and its partners) have already begun collecting passenger information on every booking to ensure compliance and operational efficiency, should these changes be made in the near future.
Your privacy concerns are addressed
Respected airlines, such as Transat Holidays, offer privacy policies to ensure passenger information remains protected. The TSA also promises that the Secure Flight measures use state of the art technology to ensure privacy and has published their own privacy policy to address the concerns of passengers regarding identity theft.
What is the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)?
If you’ve ever been held up in airport security, especially more than once, you’ll want to look into getting a `redress number’.
A redress number is issued by The Department of Homeland Security through their Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. This program has been created as a single point of contact for people who have questions or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs (like airports and train stations) or while crossing U.S. borders.
Click here to visit the DHS TRIP or file a complaint.
If you have any questions about the Secure Flight Program, click here to access FAQs. What are your thoughts on these new U.S. travel requirements? Knowing that they will not affect your travel experience, are you willing to provide your airline with the requested information?
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