Airport Security: Strict Passenger List Rules And Regulations

The topic of airport passenger lists is a multifaceted one, encompassing various aspects of aviation security, passenger safety, and privacy regulations. It involves the collection and verification of passenger information, such as names, passport details, seat assignments, and special requests, which is compiled into a centralized system known as the On-Flight Passengers List. This list plays a crucial role in ensuring a seamless and secure flight experience, facilitating passenger recognition, assisting with boarding and seating arrangements, and enabling efficient communication with travellers and their families.

However, the discussion surrounding airport passenger lists cannot be limited to operational procedures alone. The existence of no-fly lists, maintained by either the federal government or individual airlines, adds a layer of complexity to the topic. These lists, particularly the federal no-fly list, are designed to prevent individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities from boarding aircraft within or bound for the United States. The inclusion of an individual on such a list can have significant implications, including the inability to receive a boarding pass and potential fines or legal consequences.

As air travel continues to increase in popularity, striking a balance between ensuring passenger safety and maintaining privacy and convenience becomes ever more critical.

No-fly lists

The No-Fly list is used to prevent individuals from boarding an aircraft flying within, to, from, or over the United States. The list is also used to divert aircraft away from U.S. airspace that do not have start or endpoint destinations within the country. The list was created after the September 11 attacks and has been continued by successive administrations.

The process of being added to the list is not transparent, and the federal government does not disclose how individuals end up on the list. However, if someone is added, they may be informed and given a chance to appeal the decision. If a person is denied boarding, they can submit a standard form to the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP), which will transmit the complaint to the TSC for review. U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents will be informed if they are on the list and can request additional information. Non-citizens will not be informed if they are on the list, and the only way to find out is by purchasing a ticket and attempting to board.

The No-Fly list has been criticized on civil liberties and due process grounds, with concerns about potential profiling and discrimination. There have been numerous cases of false positives, where individuals with similar names to those on the list have been denied boarding or subjected to additional screening. The list has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and the difficulty of being removed from it.

The second type of no-fly list is maintained by individual airlines and contains the names of unruly passengers. These passengers are typically banned from the airline and can be fined, convicted of a felony, or removed from the TSA PreCheck program. There is currently no universal no-fly list for unruly passengers across all airlines.

Carry-on baggage screening

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. The screening process involves the following:

Electronics

You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a separate bin for X-ray screening. This includes items such as laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles. Smaller electronic items such as hair dryers, electric shavers, and electric toothbrushes can remain in your carry-on bag.

Food

Food and snacks such as fruit, health bars, and sandwiches can usually stay inside your carry-on bag. However, there are special instructions for liquids, gels, and aerosols, as well as for baby food, breast milk, and medically necessary items. A TSA officer will be available to guide you through the process.

Packing

It is recommended to keep your carry-on bag organized and to be aware of prohibited items. TSA officers may instruct you to separate certain items from your carry-on bag, such as foods, powders, and other materials that can clutter the bag and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

Additional Screening

In some cases, you may be selected for additional screening, which may include:

• A hand-wand device to detect metal objects
• A partial or full physical search (pat-down) of your person
• A partial or full physical search of your carry-on bag
• A full-body scan
• Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) swabbing of your carry-on baggage, clothing, shoes, or laptop

International Flights

If you are flying into the U.S., you may experience a more extensive screening process, including additional screening of your property and personal electronic devices. It is recommended to arrive at the airport early to allow enough time for this process.

Checked baggage screening

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law to screen every bag that is transported on a commercial aircraft, regardless of whether it is checked with the airline or carried onto the plane. The TSA screens approximately 1.3 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Upon check-in, the checked baggage is provided to the TSA for security screening. Once the screening process is complete, the airline transports the checked baggage on the respective flight and delivers it to the baggage claim area.

The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. However, the TSA may inspect checked baggage during the screening process. If a bag is physically inspected, the TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside the bag. This informs the owner that an officer has inspected their property. If the property is lost or damaged during the screening process, a claim can be filed with the TSA.

Some airports, such as Missoula International Airport, have installed a Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS). This system features an automated network of conveyor belts that sort and track travellers' checked luggage, moving it seamlessly from the airline ticket counter, through the security screening process, and to the location where it is loaded onto the aircraft. The CBIS has two integrated Explosive Detection System (EDS) units that use computed tomography to create a 3-D X-ray image of the contents of each checked bag. The EDS software is programmed to detect potential security threats and swiftly analyse the 3-D image to determine whether the bag is cleared for travel or requires further screening.

If the EDS unit identifies a potential security threat, the image of the bag's contents is sent for review by a TSA officer (TSO) located in a separate location. The TSO follows an established protocol, reviewing the image to determine if the bag is cleared to travel or needs a physical inspection. If a physical inspection is required, it is done in clear view of a closed-circuit television camera, and a "Notice of Inspection" is placed inside the bag. Once the bag is cleared of any security threats, it is repacked and closed before being handed off to the airline.

Nationwide, about 5% of checked bags require physical inspection by a TSO, with the rest being cleared by the EDS and on-screen resolution. The TSA has been provided with universal "master" keys to open certain branded locks during inspections. These locks are commercially available, and the packaging should indicate that they can be opened by TSA officers. However, the TSA holds no position on the validity or effectiveness of these locks as a security measure, and they may be removed if necessary during the inspection.

Pat-down procedures

A pat-down may include an inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and buttocks. The passenger may be required to adjust their clothing during the pat-down. The officer will advise the passenger of the procedure to help them anticipate any actions before they feel them. Pat-downs require sufficient pressure to ensure detection, and areas may undergo a pat-down more than once for the officer to confirm that no threat items are detected.

TSA officers use the back of their hands for pat-downs over sensitive areas of the body. In limited cases, additional screening involving a sensitive area pat-down with the front of the hand may be needed to determine that a threat does not exist.

Passengers will receive a pat-down by an officer of the same sex. TSA officers will explain the procedures as they conduct the pat-down. Passengers should inform an officer if they have difficulty raising their arms or remaining in the position required, have an external medical device, or have areas of the body that are painful when touched. Passengers may request a chair to sit in if needed.

At any time during the process, passengers may request private screening accompanied by a companion of their choice. A second officer of the same sex will always be present during private screening.

Secure Flight program

The Secure Flight program is a risk-based passenger pre-screening program that enhances security by identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport. It does this by matching passenger names against trusted traveller lists and watchlists. The program is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and aims to prevent individuals who may be a threat to transportation or national security from gaining access to airports and airplanes.

The Secure Flight program collects a minimal amount of personal information, such as full name, date of birth, and sex, to conduct effective matching. This personal data is collected, used, distributed, stored, and disposed of according to stringent guidelines. The program performs watchlist matching on carrier-provided traveller information to identify individuals who may need additional screening or are prevented from travelling.

Secure Flight transmits screening instructions back to the airlines to identify low-risk passengers eligible for TSA PreCheck, individuals on the Selectee List who require enhanced screening, and those who will receive standard screening. The program also prevents individuals on the No Fly List and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Do Not Board List from boarding an aircraft.

The Secure Flight program is just one part of the TSA's layered approach to security, which includes security measures both seen and unseen, beginning long before passengers arrive at the airport.

Frequently asked questions