Full Names Required To Fly

Soon airline passengers will be barred from boarding planes if they refuse to provide their full name and birth date, the government recently announced. The new rule should "dramatically reduce" the number of people hassled at airports because their name resembles a terrorist's on a government watch list. Comparing a passenger's first, middle and last name and birth date to the watch list will eliminate "most" false matches by more precisely identifying a passenger.

Airlines have started collecting the new information for flights originating or ending in the USA. The requirement also applies to any flight traveling over the country, such as from Canada to Mexico.

Travelers who book flights and don't give the required information won't be able to print a boarding pass at home or at an airport kiosk. They will have to go to an airline counter and show an ID card with the required information.

New Passport Fees Imposed By U.S. State Department

Effective July 13, the U.S. State Department will impose new fees for many of its passport-related products and services. The total cost of a new passport will increase from $100 to $135 for adults (age 16 and older) and from $85 to $105 for minors. Renewals will increase from $75 to $110 for adults and from $60 to $80 for minors. Travelers needing extra visa pages will pay $82. Previously, this service has been offered free.

A Sign Of The Times

United has announced that they will close their customer-service call center this year and eliminate the phone number all together. Customers with complaints will have to email or write a letter. A spokesperson for the airline explained that United would be able to respond better to people who write. Right.

It's Time To Get A Passport

If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean or Mexico, make sure you pack a valid U.S. passport. All U.S. citizens returning by air from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and Central and South America must show a valid U.S. passport to re-enter the United States. This is a significant change from past policy, where only a driver's license and birth certificate were needed to re-enter the U.S.

This change is mandated by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 1994. According to Homeland Security Acting Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, Randy Beardsworth, "Our goal is to strengthen border security and expedite entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. By ensuring that travelers possess secure documents, such as the passport, Homeland Security will be able to conduct more effective and efficient interviews at our borders."

If you don't have a passport, keep in mind it takes 6-8 weeks to process a passport, and the busiest season for issuing this document is from January to June. For information on applying for a passport, visit the Department of State website.