More than nine years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and more than six years after the 9/11 Commission made its recommendations for improving security in the United States, the federal government has finally figured out a way to check all passenger names against terrorist watch lists before people board any domestic or U.S.-bound flight.

 

The Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration announced this week that the Secure Flight Program allows federal screeners to determine if any passenger matches the names on the government’s no-fly list. Those that do are subject to secondary screening, a law enforcement interview or prohibition from boarding an aircraft.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

DHS Achieves Major Aviation Security Milestone One Month Ahead of Schedule (Department of Homeland Security)