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The Transportation Security Administration will require airlines, travel agents, and online reservation systems to ask travelers for their full legal names and birth dates when booking flights. The requirement will be in effect later this summer as the TSA attempts to implement its Secure Flight program.

Providing the information is voluntary, but those who don't comply may have to undergo more comprehensive screening at the airport. Justin Oberman, TSA assistant administrator, said to the AP that "the vast majority of travelers will be willing to give their full name and date of birth."

Oberman said passengers giving out the more complete information will be less easily confused with suspected terrorists. "Far fewer people will be inconvenienced than they are today," said Oberman.

The Government Accountability Office is overseeing the system and must give approval before it can go live. The system must meet ten criteria concerning the handling of passenger data before that can happen. So far, TSA has not made the grade.

"A lot has changed," said Oberman. "We're working very closely with GAO and intend to meet all 10 criteria when we start in August."

Two airlines will initially begin transmitting data to the TSA to check against terrorist watch lists. Other airlines will be added over the next 18 months.

FMI: www.tsa.gov