Taking advantage of a $50 round-trip special, my wife, I, and another couple booked tickets from San Francisco to Las Vegas for this past weekend. When we checked in at the gate, we got a strange look across the counter and were told to sit down while she worked out some issue. I initially thought there was a problem with our Travelocity reservation or with her computer. I watched as she made some phone calls. When the second agent continued to process check-ins while our agent continued to make phone calls, we returned to the counter to see what was going on. She said emphatically, “There’s no problem, sir, just sit down right there (pointing to a nearby seat) and I’ll be with you in a moment.” The direction to stay seated and her tone suggested otherwise, but we did as we were told.

A few minutes later the SF Police arrived along with an FAA employee and our counter agent. The agent pointed us out and the police officer pulled us aside for questioning. Other officers were stationed nearby, lest we make a run for it. I quickly realized this was something a little more serious than being caught with nail clippers in a carry-on. But after asking us a few questions, the officer decided there must have been a mistake of some sort, and he explained that all four of us had been tagged by the airline as being on the FBI’s “No Fly” list. Given that there’s apparently only about 500 names on the list, the check-in of four “suspects” at once triggered quite a few bells. The officer said that when he’s previously been called in it’s been because a passenger had the same name as a suspected terrorist.

In our case, they ultimately determined that none of us was, in fact, on The List. Someone at National apparently made a mistake or thought all four of our names were close enough to those on the FBI’s list. We were cleared and made our flight without delay (though I’m thinking a few other passengers might have been nervous boarding with us after being rounded up by the police).

Out of curiosity, what nationality were the last names involved?

Question for police "Do you watch any television, Sir? Perhaps you know this young man!"

Sorry to learn of this "mistake" and truly glad it had a happy ending.

Thank goodness that you are from California and not the Middle East! What a shame.

Hi PG - are you sure you didn't get some airline guy in trouble with your pudding project and this is payback

Let's just say that Pudding Guy looks about as much like the profile of a terrorist as does Punki with her knitting needles!

Having met both Pudding Guy and Punki, I would least likely mess with Punki. I wouldn't let her on with knitting needles. But I agree that PG does not match the profile. And just by being a (lovely) woman, Punki does not match the current terrorist profile either.

They're afraid she might knit an afghan ...

It's because all those tiny cans of pudding that they've been dropping in those Afghan "care packages" have been traced back to Pudding Guy.

Pudding on the FBI's face?

Too funny PremEx...

All joking aside, it sounds like this was a perfect example of how security SHOULD be done. They flagged the name (for whatever reason), investigated, determined that you were not a threat, and then let you go on with your travels. I know it probably is frightening or at least inconvenient, but you don't seem to think that they were improper or unprofessional in their handling of your group.

This is much more heartening than the stories where it seems that once someone is flagged, everyone goes into CYA mode, and finds it impossible to admit that there was no threat in the first place. It seems that the security folks involved in this incident should be called up by the FAA to implement the new training for personnel on how not to be complete idiots in security handling.

Glad you made your trip on time!

Regarding the names, two were David and Cindy Phillips--both very common, but I don't think it really had anything to do with our names since they said all four names were flagged. Our friends' names are less common, but not at all Bin Laden-like.

I had previously warned our group about the FT-reported "Look me in the eye and pull down your pants" security treatment; but it's safe to say that our situation was handled a little more professionally. The police offer had a good sense of humor and all were anxious for a speedy resolution.

Unfortunately, I think I somehow managed to make it onto the casinos' "No Blackjacks" list, so that part of the trip wasn't so great.

When something like this happens, maybe the airline should give the affected passengers some coupons for free cocktails on the plane or at the airport bar. By all means, all "flagged" names sh'd be checked out. But once it is clear that a mistake has been made, the airlines c'd do well to give a little token to compensate for the embarrassment. Does anyone agree?

Back around Adam Walsh's disappearance, we were stopped at the Canadian border with our two young children. Canadian customs took the kids aside in an effort to insure they were ours. They endured a mild interogation that we were allowed to hear but not witness. As I reflect on that situation I give thanks that the proceedures were in place even though it was very upsetting. The upset one would realize if those alleged parents weren't would have been unimaginable. I, for one, was proud to present myself and my luggage TWICE for personal search last night in Maui!

No, do not agree at all.