The August 2007 edition of The Tribune led with a story about the federal government’s collection and usage of airline passengers’ personal data for terrorist watch lists (Flying in the Dark)

http://www.ericksontribune.com/Home/TopStories/tabid/63/newsid404/5704/Flying-in-the-dark/Default.aspx

The story highlighted serious flaws in the implementation of these lists and in the Department of Homeland Security’s and Transportation Security Agency’s information practices in compiling them.

Tens of thousands of innocent Americans, including a catholic nun and a United States senator, found their names on the lists and were detained and even prohibited from boarding flights in American airports. Why did they appear on these lists? What information was collected? With whom was it shared? Who made the error? No one knows because the government will not say; not even to Congress.
Since the article’s appearance, we’ve had readers write in inquiring about how they could have their names removed from the list, relaying experiences of airport harassment and humiliation. Here’s some information to assist you in the removal process. You can visit the federal government’s Traveler Redress Inquiry page at:

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_1169673653081.shtm

Here, you will find information on the steps necessary to complete the removal process. Also, you will find the actual Traveler Redress Inquiry Form attached to this blog entry dhstrip_traveler_inquiry_form.pdf. If you have an experience you would like to talk about, please feel free to send it in. Good luck.

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