Even Babies Aren't Exempt From 'No-Fly' List

[Martrae]

# Parents face 'bizarre' scrutiny when infants have the same names as possible terrorists.

From Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Infants have been stopped from boarding planes at airports throughout the United States because their names are the same as or similar to those of possible terrorists on the government's "no-fly" list.

It sounds like a joke, but it's not funny to parents who miss flights while scrambling to have babies' passports and other documents faxed.

Ingrid Sanden's 1-year-old daughter was stopped in Phoenix before boarding a flight home to Washington at Thanksgiving.

"I completely understand the war on terrorism, and I completely understand people wanting to be safe when they fly," Sanden said. "But focusing the target a little bit is probably a better use of resources."

The government's list of people who are either barred from flying or require extra scrutiny before being allowed to board airplanes grew markedly since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Critics including the American Civil Liberties Union say the government doesn't provide enough information about the people on the lists, so innocent passengers can be caught up in the security sweep if they happen to have the same name as someone on the lists.

That can happen even if the person happens to be an infant like Sanden's daughter. (Children under 2 don't need tickets but Sanden purchased one for her daughter to ensure she had a seat.)

"It was bizarre," Sanden said. "I was hugely pregnant, and I was like, 'We look really threatening.' "

Sarah Zapolsky and her husband had a similar experience last month while departing from Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. An airline ticket agent told them their 11-month-old son was on the government list.

They were able to board their flight after ticket agents took half an hour to fax her son's passport and fill out paperwork.

"I understand that security is important," Zapolsky said. "But if they're just guessing, and we have to give up our passport to prove that our 11-month-old is not a terrorist, it's a waste of their time."

Sanden and Zapolsky would not allow their children's names to be used in this story because they feared people who preyed on children.

Well-known people like Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and David Nelson, who starred in the sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," also have been stopped at airports because their names match those on the lists.

The government has sought to improve its process for checking passengers since Sept. 11.

The first attempt was scuttled because of fears the government would have access to too much personal information. A new version, called Secure Flight, is being crafted.

But for now, airlines are required to check passengers' names against those supplied by the government.

[Jimmy Durante]

These problems could be easily avoided if parents would just check their screaming rugrats in with their luggage right at the curb.

[Captain Insano]

I agree with Jimmy. Kids should be kept in those dog cages and put in with the rest of the luggage.

Also if anyone looks remotely arabic they should have to get anal cavity searched before they are allowed to board the plane. That will learn em to support terrorism!

[Phlegm]

you never know what those terroristic babies have hidden in their diapers.

[Captain Insano]

you never know what those terroristic babies have hidden in their diapers.

Probably "little muslims" ie: pieces of shit.

[Trielelvan]

Kids should be kept in those dog cages and put in with the rest of the luggage.

After dealing with 8 plane rides back and forth to MN over the past couple years with a 2, and then 3 year old, that idea actually has merit. Yes, I am joking... mostly.

[Darcler]

Maybe I was really lucky, but Hailey slept on all 4 plane rides (there and back with a layover each way) from TX to CT and back. We put a pillow over the armrest and layed her across both our laps with a bottle while we took off, she took a nap on each flight.