TSA To Test CAPPS II Offshoot, 'Secure Flight'

The Transportation Security Administration said it will begin checking airline passenger names against terrorist watch lists under a modified version of the computer-assisted passenger prescreening system it dubbed "Secure Flight."

Once phased in, the program will allow the government to check passenger information against records currently not available to airlines, which do their own screening, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a news release. It also will allow checks against databases maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center.

"This new system will allow Homeland Security to implement a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission--for the government to continue improving the use of 'no-fly' and 'automatic selectee' lists by using an expanded watch list," said DHS Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson. "Secure Flight is a critical part of Homeland Security's overall layered strategy to secure the nation's commercial air transportation system."

The new program will be limited to trying to find terrorists in a bid to sidestep criticism of CAPPS II, which would have been used for other law enforcement purposes, TSA said. The program also includes a mechanism for passengers who feel unfairly singled out to seek redress.