Hi,
Does anyone know what TSA's policy is when a ticket is booked under a nickname rather than the real name? I read of instances in the past that as long as the nickname is a common form of the real name (e.g., "Thomas"->"Tom", "Robert"->"Bob") it was not a problem, especially if they have other forms of ID showing the same name. I also read of instances where people were able to fly without ID. However, with the new TSA security measures this month, is this still the case?

I booked a ticket for my girlfriend under her nickname (I didn't know all her identification has her given name), and the nickname is not even close to the real name. She has a few forms of ID such as a high-school ID that shows her nickname, but none on the list of TSA's approved list:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...documents.shtm

I called Continental airlines to see if they would re-issue the ticket under the correct name, but they flatly and rudely refused (i.e., they hung up on me)! I called back several times and they basically told me that they can put a note in about this in their system (though this would only be a note to the ticket agent...not TSA) and I can deal with it there, or I can cancel the ticket and buy a new one (very expensive route).

Is it better to just eat the cost and re-book the ticket now (ticket prices might go up even more if done on the same day...especially day-before Thanksgiving), or is it even worth trying?

Thanks!