I got this email from the DHS office on 5/16. Today is 6/20, well over the 15 business days that they think it will take to respond to me (see note below). I still haven't heard anything and the online checking system is broken too. Retarded. Thanks government!

We are in receipt of your supplemental submission. Your application for redress is now complete. You will receive a final determination in writing. Please allow a minimum of fifteen business days before checking the status of your request.

Sincerely,

DHS TRIP

Hi,
I too was "branded" in March 2005 as being on the TSA Watch list. And like you, I don't get it....stay at home mom of 4, whoa, better watch out....and though I sent all the notarized documentation they want, I was told by a TSA operator that I would never get off the list. I find this unacceptable. I would guess I am a "selectee" as well, as it is a major inconvenience versus I can't get on a plane.

I am trying to find as many people on the list as possible...I figured if we all head to Washington to talk with some members of Congress, we can make a dent on this issue which seems to be one that is dealt with silently ~ especially since at first you are embarassed to tell people because you fear how they will treat you (I have experienced this first hand). I think it's a smarter version of what happened during the McCarthy -- smarter in the sense that the govt learned that obvious showing didn't work, so now it's secretive...sh...no one knows who else is on the list.

And to add insult to injury, I know people on the list who never submitted documentation. HA! I'm one of the fools who submitted it all. And today I finally had it when I could once again not get a boarding pass with the rest of my family and was asked if I still had the documentation.....it's EXTREEEEEMELY frustrating....

So I'm trying to get a bunch of us lowly listees together to perhaps visit with members of Congress....or even work on a documentary....something that makes this sham visible. If you're up for it, contact me at jmtbba@pacbell.net....thanks much, Michele

It has been about 20 days since I submitted my request to the DHS. Unfortunately checking the status page is worthless because it says that I have not sent in my signed form via fax, e-mail, or U.S. mail. I sent them an e-mail first, and then 2 weeks later I sent them a paper copy of the form to be sure.

According to the website it should take about 30 days. We'll see what happens at the airport soon enough -- I'm flying in 11 days.

As mentioned above I've been having trouble checking into flights since 2005. Back then when I first heard about the DHS TSA watch list I was told I could fill out a form and send it the DHS for approval. Upon investigating it I thought the amount of information they wanted was excessively intrusive: social security number, present and prior addresses, names of friends, etc. Incredible. According to the Wired article there were some complaints so the DHS streamlined the process.

Now you can get away with the same stuff that is usually acceptable for getting a job. (A) a copy of your passport or (B) 2 forms of other identification like driver's license and voter's registration.

I went through the web process and am currently waiting to see what they happens next.