Secure Flight: TSA's new ID rules for air travel go into effect

TSA's new ID

rules for air

travel go into effect

Secure Flight, the Transportation Security Administration's terrorist watch list matching program, goes into full effect Monday, ending a year's grace period for airlines to collect key passenger identification data when booking reservations.

TSA advises passengers to contact their airlines or booking agency before arriving at the airport to make sure they have provided their full name, date of birth and gender as part of their reservations.

Names must match what appears on their government ID or passport, but for now, at least, TSA says that small differences, such as middle initials, should not impact travel.

Airlines are required to provide the information to TSA 72 hours in advance of a flight so that names can be matched before boarding passes are issued. But for passengers booking on short notice, TSA says that airlines can submit the information as soon as a reservation is made. Passengers who don't provide the information won't be issued a boarding pass.

Some suggestions to ensure you're not denied a boarding pass or held up at security:

• Check for misspellings on your ticket. Contact the airline if you find an error.

• Don't use nicknames when booking.

• If you recently got married or changed your name, book your flight under the same name that's listed on your driver's license or passport.

Carol Pucci, The Seattle Times