THE WAY WE FLY IS CHANGING..........

Secure Flight Program effective November 1, 2009

What is Secure Flight?

Secure Flight is a program developed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The purpose of this program is to enhance the security of domestic and international air travel through the collection of specific passenger information for comparison to the US security watch lists.

The Secure Flight program is applicable to all air travel destined to the United States and became effective as of Nov. 1, 2009. As the U.S authorities have already stated their intentions to expand the requirements to flights routed over the United States, most airlines are collecting this information on every booking, even if not destined to the United States. By collecting this information on every booking, they ensure operational efficiency and compliance should requirements be changed in the near future to include all flights entering into US airspace.

Passengers will be required to provide the following information at the time of booking (*minimum requirement is 72 hours prior to departure) in order to comply with the Secure Flight Program. Failure to provide this information can result in additional screening time, check-in time and/or denied boarding.

· Full name (As it appears on passenger’s government issued ID)
· Date of birth
· Gender
· Redress Number (if applicable)**

** A Redress Number is provided by The Department of Homeland Security to individuals who have sought resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during travel screening at transportation hubs or when crossing U.S. borders. Difficulties during travel screening could be as a result of, but not limited to, watch list misidentification or continuing referrals to additional or secondary screening. Visit the Travelers Redress Inquiry Program website for more information www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169673653081.shtm .

It has been determined through extensive testing that requesting this additional data will greatly reduce the number of passengers misidentified as a match to the “watch list”. By providing this information in advance, most passengers will not experience any differences from the way they travelled before as a result of the Secure Flight Program.

Respecting passenger privacy is of the utmost importance to all airlines and is a cornerstone of the Secure Flight Program. Furthermore, personal data will be collected as required, used, distributed, stored and disposed of in accordance with the stringent guidelines and all applicable privacy laws and regulations.
 
On a Positive note............
 
When travelling by charter airlines one of the frustrations was having to arrive at the airport  in Toronto 3 hours prior to departure for international flights only to stand in a long snaking line up to check in your luggage and get a boarding pass.  This, even if you had already prepaid for advance seat selections.  And for those that did not prepay for seats it was the anxious wait to see where you will end up sitting on the plane and hopefully with your travelling companion.  Well finally Air Transat has moved into the 21st century......
 
In its ongoing efforts to provide clients with the best possible service, Air Transat will offer passengers from Toronto the opportunity to pilot test their check in online 24 hours prior to the departure of their flight. Passengers will be able to choose their seats from the comfort of their own home, and simply deposit their luggage at the baggage drop-off counter at the airport.


Air Transat Online check in eligibility….

Air Transat is offering online check in, available for departures from Toronto.

You may check in online between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight

Online check in is available to passengers who:

· Have an electronic ticket;

· Have a valid passport;

· Are travelling on a flight operated by Air Transat. Flight numbers TS800 to 899 (Code Share flights) are not eligible as they are operated by our partners;

· Have a maximum of 9 passengers on the same booking number

If your flight originates from Toronto, you may proceed to your web check-in by visiting

https://webcheckin.airtransat.com/default.aspx?lng=en

Lets hope the other charter airlines adopt this.  It will certainly improve the airport experience.