Federal Government Rates Airline Passengers

Since the events of September 11th 2001 the United States has taken a more active role in monitoring the screening procedures of the nation's airlines. In an effort to prescreen airline passengers and pinpoint potential threats to security the Federal Government developed the Automated Targeting System (ATS). This system takes several factors into account before issuing each passenger a rating.

ATS rating is determined by taking into account several factors. The departure city, destination city, and travel companions are all noted along with the date the ticket was purchased and how that ticket was paid for. Most potential passengers do not mind the government looking into these details to help provide for safer flights but the additional information the ATS utilizes makes some wonder if their privacy is being violated.

In addition to taking into the account the information usual provided at the time of the airline ticket purchase the ATS delves into the background of each passenger. Past criminal records are made available and motor vehicle records scrutinized. As if that weren't enough the system even takes into account past meal and seating preferences before assigning a final rating.

The majority of passengers will be rated "green" which allows them to board their flight after the standard airport security check. A few will be rated "yellow" which requires additional screening prior to boarding and an even smaller amount will be rated "red" which will not permit them to board their flight at all.

While the Homeland Security Department is proud of this new rating system and confident that it will help make travel safer especially during the holiday season the "red" rating is the cause for much complaint from those who have been issued this rating. In some cases children and even infants have had their names listed under this rating which is baffling to their parents. This confusion only grows when, after attempting to find out what prompted this "red" rating, passengers find that they are unable to challenge this rating or find out what influenced the governments decision.

According to the government letting travelers know what determined their rating might compromise the ATS methods and undermine the systems ability to accurately rate passengers. While that might seem like a reasonable reason for withholding the information from passengers, some of whom might have been denied the right to board their flight, it is puzzling to some why this same information is made available to variety of other third parties. The information gathered is kept on file for years and made available to local and state governments, courts, and even potential employers.

The department of Homeland Security seems to be aware of the irregularity of this situation and with any luck will begin address and fixing the privacy issues and flaws in the program. In the meantime airline passengers must try to remain aware of the governments' efforts to keep the nation secure and be prepared to deal with possible inconveniences or delays. During the already stressful holiday season keep in mind that if even one threatening situation is avoided that the potential hassle is well worth it.