How to Know if You're on the No Fly List

Airlines

What Can Land You on a No-Fly List?

February 6, 2021

Recent news has raised public interest around the federal government's "no-fly" list. Here's a shorthand look on how you could find yourself grounded if you wind up on that list.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) describes the federal no-fly list as a "Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists."

This list was created after the events of 9/11 and is largely secret in nature.The TSA reports that of the 80,000 people currently on the federal no-fly list, less than 1,000 are U.S. citizens. Airlines can (and do) keep no-fly lists of their own, which allows them to prohibit passengers from boarding based on past behaviors. Most of the time, an airline will ban someone from flying when they have run afoul of a carrier's policies.

If you're curious about what offenses can get you banned, check out specific airlines' contracts of carriage (this is basically the "fine print") which spells out the legal arrangement that you enter when flying. Still, don't expect the airlines to share specifics. They basically reserve the right to toss you from a flight just as most businesses can refuse to "serve" you if you're in violation of a business' rules.

During the 2020 global pandemic, some passengers were banned for refusing to wear masks once on board a flight, but getting into altercations with crew members or other passengers can also get you into hot water. You can also get the boot if you're intoxicated or unruly. To stay in good standing, behave yourself.

As for the federal no-fly list, it's been controversial pretty much since its inception for a variety of reasons. There have been questions about its legality – since you do not require proof of a crime for you to be added to it. In addition, there have been multiple cases of mistaken identity, when a passenger has been ejected from a flight for having a name similar to or identical to a completely different person who had been banned.

Do you think it's fair for the government to decide who should be able to fly? What about individual airlines? Is this good for the protection of all of us, or does it infringe on personal freedom? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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How to Know if You're on the No Fly List

Source: https://www.cheapair.com/blog/what-can-land-you-on-a-no-fly-list/

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