"Mike November" at border
Jan 30, 2015, 11:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 151
"Mike November" at border
Not sure if there is a more targeted forum, but feel free to move.
Every time I cross the border back into the U.S. my passport alerts, causing me to receive extra questions, usually after being redirected into a back room.
Every time I've asked why, or if there was anything I can do differently, the agents have shrugged or said they had no idea.
Last week, preparing to board a flight in Vancouver B.C., after seeing the alert, the U.S. border agent asked a co-worker "is Mike November still a mandatory referral?" He wouldn't tell me what that meant, and I was again referred for extra questioning (including questions about my "tats" - I don't have any ink).
Any idea what this is and/or anthing I can do to avoid it?
Thanks.
Every time I cross the border back into the U.S. my passport alerts, causing me to receive extra questions, usually after being redirected into a back room.
Every time I've asked why, or if there was anything I can do differently, the agents have shrugged or said they had no idea.
Last week, preparing to board a flight in Vancouver B.C., after seeing the alert, the U.S. border agent asked a co-worker "is Mike November still a mandatory referral?" He wouldn't tell me what that meant, and I was again referred for extra questioning (including questions about my "tats" - I don't have any ink).
Any idea what this is and/or anthing I can do to avoid it?
Thanks.
Jan 30, 2015, 1:05 pm
#2
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
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Location: BOS
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Moving this over to the Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues forum for further discussion. Thanks! 
/JY1024, TravelBuzz co-moderator
/JY1024, TravelBuzz co-moderator
Jan 30, 2015, 1:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
Jan 30, 2015, 1:54 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Jan 30, 2015, 3:23 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 151
It may have been November Mike, although my ticketed name matches my passport name, with the exception of middle initial on the ticket, middle name on the passport - Thanks for the link - I appreciate that.
Jan 30, 2015, 3:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
It might not be an issue with your ticketed name matching your travel document, but that the name matches or is similar to someone on a watch list. Especially since you mentioned in secondary they've asked you about distinguishing features such as tattoos.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:32 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Makes sense. Do redress numbers help with this?
Jan 31, 2015, 4:20 am
#10
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Not generally when it comes to CBP checking of passengers flagged by a name match done by/for CBP or supplied to CBP.
DHS TRIP-produced "redress number" is for purposes of not being confused with one of the huge number of people on one of the USG aviation-related passenger blacklists used by the TSA or CBP.
The redress number itself isn't generally useful when it comes to CBP checking of passengers flagged by a name match, but sometimes the process leading up to a redress number defintiely is useful. Since there is a substantial possibility that OP is being confused with someone on one or more blacklists, a redress number from DHS TRIP may be useful for fewer future problems when showing up at US port of entry. It's not a magic bullet to eliminate all such problems, but sometimes it has worked.
DHS TRIP-produced "redress number" is for purposes of not being confused with one of the huge number of people on one of the USG aviation-related passenger blacklists used by the TSA or CBP.
The redress number itself isn't generally useful when it comes to CBP checking of passengers flagged by a name match, but sometimes the process leading up to a redress number defintiely is useful. Since there is a substantial possibility that OP is being confused with someone on one or more blacklists, a redress number from DHS TRIP may be useful for fewer future problems when showing up at US port of entry. It's not a magic bullet to eliminate all such problems, but sometimes it has worked.