How do I get off the watchlist?
Jun 23, 2011 | 5:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
How do I get off the watchlist?
I'm in the middle of a RTW trip and I've been having terrible security/immigration/customs troubles the whole way. I'm "clean-looking", not too young, am Star Gold, and have never been in any legal trouble whatsoever in my life. Still, I got SSSS in LHR and LAX, a long ordeal at customs in AKL, a lot of confusion trying to check in at SYD... I've also been unable to check in online for any of my legs.
Is there any way to find out definitively why this is happening, and more importantly, is there a way to get off whatever watchlist I'm on?
Is there any way to find out definitively why this is happening, and more importantly, is there a way to get off whatever watchlist I'm on?
Jun 23, 2011 | 6:41 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
There are two possibilities: either you are the person on the watch list or the person on the list has the same name as you. For the latter, you can get a "redress number". For the former, there's no known way to get off the list. But it's most likely the latter.
Jun 23, 2011 | 7:10 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,678
I'm in the middle of a RTW trip and I've been having terrible security/immigration/customs troubles the whole way. I'm "clean-looking", not too young, am Star Gold, and have never been in any legal trouble whatsoever in my life. Still, I got SSSS in LHR and LAX, a long ordeal at customs in AKL, a lot of confusion trying to check in at SYD... I've also been unable to check in online for any of my legs.
Is there any way to find out definitively why this is happening, and more importantly, is there a way to get off whatever watchlist I'm on?
Is there any way to find out definitively why this is happening, and more importantly, is there a way to get off whatever watchlist I'm on?
https://trip.dhs.gov/
The letter you get back will have a redress number on it which may or may not work.
Jun 23, 2011 | 7:42 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
Jun 23, 2011 | 9:09 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Retired in Houston, TX
Programs: Platinum-CO-DL-Priority Club WN A-list Diomond-Hilton-BW Gold-Choice Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 305
I'm on a near name list. SSSS was common for me at first. When I checked in, a TSA warning came up on their screen. It was the Airline that assigned the SSSS on the boarding pass. Now that I'm Gold & Platinum with most US Airlines, I don't get the SSSS anymore.
The entire concept of Air Travel has gotten out of hand.
The entire concept of Air Travel has gotten out of hand.
Jun 23, 2011 | 9:11 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt, Marriott, Delta, Alaska
Posts: 636
I had that once when flying from SEA to Toronto because I booked on UA but flew on AC. No one at TSA or the airlines could think of another reason, because I am otherwise squeaky clean. Hadn't happened before and hasn't since, but did on each of those flights, so that must have been it.
Jun 23, 2011 | 11:47 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM/1MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 200
Just because you've been flagged once for extra security doesn't mean you're on a watchlist. You mentioned being Star Gold (so you fly enough) -- has this happened to you before?
If you continue to have problems, then going the route of redress is definitely the right way to go. Otherwise, I'd just brush it off as a fluke.
If you continue to have problems, then going the route of redress is definitely the right way to go. Otherwise, I'd just brush it off as a fluke.
Jun 23, 2011 | 8:04 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
I'm Star Gold via United Mileage Plus. When I fly UA, this never happens, but on every other airline it does. I'll do the redress application for sure, so thanks everyone for the tips. My only concern is that I have two passports so I guess I'll have to do it twice, but hopefully that won't raise additional red flags.
Jun 23, 2011 | 8:12 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
Jun 24, 2011 | 2:48 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,678
I think it might make them think that, but what does that matter? Now that SecureFlight is in full swing it might not work any longer because they they can match your DOB; I'd try the redress process.