I've been sent to secondary immigration inspection in the windowless, unattractive bowels of JFK T1 and EWR the last two times I've reentered the US -- both times, the surly customs agents have told me I'm on some list, due to my 'common name'. It sure makes me feel safer !! As a US citizen I find it appalling that they've now made me afraid to enter my own country, but that's another story. Short of a legalized name change, is there any way to get off this list? In a few weeks I'm travelling to the Middle East and Central Asia, and I'm fully expecting the intimidating 'welcome' interview upon my return... I might as well warn them now -- can I book an appointment, to avoid the interminable wait at the 'detention zone' lobby ??

As an added note, my father was on the no-fly list last year, for reasons unknown. I've escaped that so far, thank God !!

Apologies if this has been addressed before.