Any DUers on the No-Fly list?

[Canuckistanian]

i don't know if this question has ever been asked, but this post got me thinking:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=458882&mesg_id=458882

I've heard all the stories of people mystified as to why they're on the list and I wondered how common this is.

Hearsay and rumours accepted without prejudice. Just tell your story.

[CoffeeCat]

1. I'm not on the no-fly list, but...

...flying from Des Moines to DC--to protest the certification of Junior's 04 election (in January)--was interesting.

I was notified, as I went through security, that I was flagged for the extra security check. I was searched by a woman, who pretty much is very familiar with every square inch of me. She even pulled at my bra. I took off my shoes as well. Then, they went through my carry-on bag and then proceeded to do chemical testing on the socks and underwear that were in my carry-on. I asked what they were testing for and the woman replied, "explosives."

This happened on my way to DC and on my way back to Des Moines.

On a positive note, I haven't spotted any black sedans with tinted windows--outside my house!

[uppityperson]

2. could make all sorts of jokes about exploding underwear...

but I won't. :evilgrin:

[babylonsister]

3. You were just unlucky. I've had it done to me, but it's the

(un) luck of the draw. You show your license, and have they ever programmed any numbers into anything?
It's not happening to the extent anyone thinks.

[The Straight Story]

4. Not on no-fly but wife gets a hassle everytime she goes now - reason:

Not 100% sure but her divorce to previous husband had some issues where her name was not changed properly and her driver's license could not be renewed. She had to get her divorce papers, go to social security office and get new card (which was an insane hassle) and go to motor vehicle place, which was another major hassle.

Ever since her issues each flight she has taken has been one hassle after the other. Oh and her mom is an elected dem and her dad was head of a large CA union, and also a dem who has campaigned for others there quite a bit.

Me - I don't fly. Ever. In fact I am driving to CA soon from Ohio, then to Chicago on business and then Deleware on business. Hassle free :)

[Canuckistanian]

16. Swear out an affidavit and have a JoP sign it.

This might speed things up. And a Justice of the Peace document carries some weight and is easy to verify.

[Erika]

5. My partner is on the no fly list

He's been told that. He has the same name as someone else who is on it for whatever reason. We can plan on a 20 minute delay due to this. His luggage is always searched. He is always wanded. What is silly, is that even though they see his ID, they question him again on his date of birth. Then he goes through.

Another note of interest is that the campaign manager of the ex-democratic nominee for governor in this state is also on the no-fly list. He also plans on the 20 minute delay.

There seems to be nothing to do to get them any relief.

[babylonsister]

6. Really! This is the first time I've heard of a real-life victim.

Can you pinpoint where he gets 'busted'for being an American?
This sounds terrible for you. x(

[Erika]

8. He has an American name and is one, bred and born here

I believe it was in Phoenix where they finally told us he was on the no fly list. We fly two to three times a year, and he's always stopped. He is an active democrat also.

And yes, the campaign manager of our former democratic nominee is also on the no fly list.

[leftchick]

20. I wonder how many repukes are on the list?

:grr:

[Canuckistanian]

10. How was he informed?

By letter or at the last minute at an airport?

[Erika]

11. He was informed at the airport at the time of check in

He complained that he was always being stopped and he asked what it was about him that they always stopped him.

He said it was a 100% occurrence so it could not be random. He more or less forced them into a corner.

[Canuckistanian]

15. HE had to drag it out of THEM? Nice.

Who's running this show? Don't tell me.

[Erika]

17. I was proud of him

He just said it couldn't be random since it was a 100% occurrence.

[bookman]

7. Not since..

...I changed my name to Osama Bin Laden. No one gives me a second glance.

:)

[Canuckistanian]

9. LOL

I wonder how many OBL's are out there?

[Canuckistanian]

12. One of the reaons I ask

I don't fly often and even less to the US. In 2002, I had to make a few trips to NJ.

At Newark, I was asked twice to wait in an office while my luggage was searched. No one questioned me.
I just waited, alone in an empty room while my companion waited for me. Almost missed my flight once.

Didn't bother me that much as I was leaving the US, but, still I wondered if I was randomly pulled aside or was it... something else?

[Erika]

13. You weren't wanded or searched?

Just your luggage?

[Canuckistanian]

14. That's all.

Weird. But from what I'm hearing, there WAS no "standard procedure", just whatever they felt like doing that day.

Maybe that's changed now.

[phylny]

18. I've never been detained, but my luggage is always, always

opened.

I could wallpaper a bathroom with the TSA notices left in my luggage :)

[Island Blue]

19. I'm not, but my boss's husband is.

He doesn't fly too often, so imagine his surprise when he tried to board a plane for a business trip this past January. It took him about a half hour (both ways) to get through all of the paper work. He has very common first name, and a fairly common name - very WASPish, nothing ethnic about it (or him). His son has the same name (he's a junior), so I imagine if he ever flys he will run into the same problem.