Secure Flight 

Useful information regarding the TSA, Transportation Security Administration Initiative – Secure Flight

For more information visit: www. tsa.gov – Keyword: Secure Flight

Secure Flight is a program developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to a key 9/11 Commission recommendation that watch list matching should be performed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Under the Secure Flight program, passengers will be required to provide their full name as it appears on their government issued identification that they will be using when traveling, date of birth, gender, and Redress Number (if available-to those who encounter misidentification).  The airline will send the information you provide to TSA. TSA will then match it against the government watch lists to identify a known or suspected terrorist.  By providing this information in advance, most passengers will not experience any differences in the way they travel as a result of Secure Flight.

To obtain a boarding pass for your flight, passengers must provide the following information to the airlines for TSA to conduct watch list matching: 

·        Full Name exactly as it appears on passenger’s government issued-ID

·        Date of birth

·        Gender

·        Redress Number-Those who encounter misidentification are invited to apply for Redress at www.dhs.gov/trip to help prevent watch list matching misidentifications in the future 

The Travel Team Inc. will provide this information to the airlines from the information that has been entered by you into your traveler profile.  It is critical that your traveler profile name information match exactly your government issued ID used at check-in.  Please review your profile information and make sure that your name located at the top of the profile matches your government issued identification exactly.  This is the information that will print on your boarding pass which must match your government identification so that the TSA match process can accurately occur.  

If you need assistance in accessing your profile click here.

Frequent Flyer Information.  The name in your frequent flyer profile must exactly match the government issued identification used at airline check-in.  If it does not match, you risk receiving the mileage credit. For links to major Frequent Flyer sites, visit: www.thetravelteam.com/tools/travellinks.html . 

 Crossing U.S. Border Information 

Beginning June 1, 2009, in accordance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), U. S. and Canadian citizens will no longer be able to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico by simply giving an oral declaration regarding their citizenship or showing a regular driver’s license and one other piece of government-issued ID.  They must have official identification including a passport or passport card, an enhanced driver’s license or “Trusted Traveler” card such as Nexus.  For more information go to www.getyouhome.gov  

The following documents will be permissible: 

U.S.A. Passport Book

Good for all international travel.  U.S. Passports cost $100 (for ages 16 and older) and are valid for 10 years and $85 (for under age 16) – valid for five years.  For information, go to www.travel.state.gov 

U.S.A. Passport Card

A wallet-sized card for U.S. citizens who have a valid passport. This card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book.  However, the U.S. Passport Card cannot be used for international air travel.  This new travel document can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.   

The card has the same period of validity as the U.S. Passport Book: 10 years for an adult and 5 years for minors under age 16.  The card costs $45 for a first-time adult passport applicant and $35 for all minor applicants under age 16, regardless of whether they are previous passport book or card holders.  Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal by mail and pay only $20.  For more information, visit www.travel.state.gov.

Children, 16 years and younger documentation

U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

New York State Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)

A driver’s license with RFID technology proving U.S. citizenship and New York State residency.  Also available are Enhanced non-driver photo ID cards (ENDIDS).  Cost is $30 over a regular driver’s license, valid for eight years.  For more information, visit www.nydmv.state.ny.us .

Michigan, Vermont, Washington State, and British Columbia, Canada offer similar licenses designed to comply with DHS’ Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  Please check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if the state in which you reside offers an Enhanced Driver’s License acceptable for land border crossing.  

NEXUS Card

The trusted traveler card for pre-approved, low-risk travelers with dedicated commuter lanes, expedited marine reporting and access to NEXUS kiosks at designated Canadian airports.  Cost is $50 U.S. and is valid for five (5) years.  Apply on-line www.cbp.gov.   

Please note: All individuals traveling in the same automobile using the Nexus lane are required to all have a Nexus Card.