Airlines: Name can't fit on ticket to match passport (reservation, passports, flights)

[HometoGeorgia]

I haven't flown in a few years but seem to recall them making it mandatory that name on ticket must match passport, but it was impossible if you had a long name like me due to limitations with various airlines rsvp systems.

Has this been relaxed at all? Someone told me that a middle initial is fine, and someone at Alaska Airlines said the same thing, but I still have concerns that the nitwits at TSA might not be on the same page.

Anybody know?

Thanks.

[oddstray]

My passport has a middle initial, and I never put that on my airline tickets. So far no problem.

BTW, do gripe to the airline about their limitations. I griped to the IRA once, many years ago, when they wrote us to ask wtf because my surname wasn't the same as my husband's. I pointed out to them that it was no longer the '50's and they had better get used to it! The year after, they had a separate space for each surname. I griped to the California DMV when they were lame enough not to own a hyphen, to accommodate my hyphenated surname. They quickly got hold of one. It pays to be vocal about issues.

[chilaili]

Does it help to call the airline direct and ask them to add your name to the ticket? If the agent can't do it perhaps they can at least make a note on your reservation as to why?

[elnina]

My name is very long and does not fit on ticket. Its a very unusual name, and because 80% of it is in, they accepted it every time. Never had a problem. They check the ticket against your passport or driver license and compare you with the photo. I think in doubt they can check it on the computer where you did your purchase. Your name in their database is full and unaltered. Believe me, they know more about you than you think...

[mels]

My passport lists me as:
FIRSTname MIDDLEname MAIDENname MARRIEDname

It's a mouthful and no way does it fit on a boarding pass. My boarding pass just has FIRSTname MARRIEDname and no one has ever hassled me.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by HometoGeorgia

I haven't flown in a few years but seem to recall them making it mandatory that name on ticket must match passport, but it was impossible if you had a long name like me due to limitations with various airlines rsvp systems.

Has this been relaxed at all? Someone told me that a middle initial is fine, and someone at Alaska Airlines said the same thing, but I still have concerns that the nitwits at TSA might not be on the same page.

Anybody know?

Thanks.

Same PAGE????? I'd pray for the same BOOK.

[Febtober]

In the past, things like these were a sticking point with the TSA and caused more than a few people to miss their flights. People were being denied boarding because their ID may have something like Jr. and their boarding pass didnt, or the ID had a middle name spelled out and the boarding pass only had the initial.

Nowadays, things like that shouldn't stop you, but I guess stranger things have happened.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by HometoGeorgia

I haven't flown in a few years but seem to recall them making it mandatory that name on ticket must match passport, but it was impossible if you had a long name like me due to limitations with various airlines rsvp systems.

Has this been relaxed at all? Someone told me that a middle initial is fine, and someone at Alaska Airlines said the same thing, but I still have concerns that the nitwits at TSA might not be on the same page.

Anybody know?

Thanks.

TSA looks at official ID's (driver's license, whatever), it doesn't have to be a passport. TSA can care less about passports.

Delta always screws up my name by adding my middle initial to my first name without a space. Never a problem.