oh, the pain of the first name

August 10, 2006 2:19 PM

How do I change my first name on a booked airline ticket with Northwest?

My client purchased an airline ticket to send me to a project meeting next week, but did so using my nickname as opposed to my legal first name. Last name is spelled the same, accurate. I tried to get the client to figure out the problem with their travel department, to no avail. How do I go about fixing this problem? What can I expect if I try to use the ticket as-is?

posted by cior to Travel & Transportation (14 answers total)

I think it depends on how close the nickname is to your actual name. If it's just your middle name or a shortened/common form of your first name, then it shouldn't be a problem. Someone bought tickets for me recently using my most common name, which is a short form of my middle name, and I didn't have any problems.
posted by camcgee at 2:28 PM on August 10, 2006

Have you called Northwest to ask them? If your name/nickname are fairly common (e.g. Elizabeth/Liz), I wouldn't expect a problem. They must see tons of Bills, Mikes, Steves etc every day.

If, however, your real name is Elizabeth and your nickname is Bunny, you might have some 'splainin to do. Do you have any business correspondence, bills, or other semi-official paperwork addressed to you as Bunny? You might want to have those handy at the airport.

Call Northwest and ask what they recommend.
posted by Quietgal at 2:34 PM on August 10, 2006

You can always alter the printout in your favorite HTML editor by saving it instead of printing it directly from the electronic check-in site the night before. The TSA person won't care since it matches, and the gate agent won't give it a second look .. it could be in WebDings for all they care, as long as the barcode swipes properly.
posted by kcm at 2:36 PM on August 10, 2006

And yeah, if it's a shortening / contraction / easily recognizable nickname or short name, don't even give it a second thought. I can't remember the last time I used my full first name and my nickname is the first three letters, and I've flown a lot from time to time including recently - most on NWA unfortunately.
posted by kcm at 2:40 PM on August 10, 2006

Pre-9/11, I had a lot of trouble getting on a flight when my ticket had my nickname (Megan) instead of my real name (Margaret). They eventually let me on, but warned me to always get my tickets in the same name as on my ID. I would imagine it would be more of a concern after 9/11 (and today's threat).
posted by xsquared-1 at 4:28 PM on August 10, 2006

My legal first name and the way I spell my first name in day-to-day usage differs by one letter. Pre-9/11, no one ever batted an eye, but post-9/11 I've had a couple of holdups (I've never been prevented from getting on a flight, but I have been asked to produce additional ID, been aggressively quizzed as to why there's a difference, etc.). If your name and nickname really are obviously related (Liz/Elizabeth, as per Quietgal's example), then you may just want to plan ahead and bring a few extra forms of ID. But if they really are quite different, I'd definitely call Northwest -- there's no telling what a twitchy gate agent may do under current conditions.
posted by scody at 4:48 PM on August 10, 2006

It's not the gate agents, since you generally show no ID to board the plane. It's the TSA agent working the security checkpoint. Northwest may not be the correct group to call until you determine you DO want to change the ticket, if that does happen - and if it does, godspeed.
posted by kcm at 5:47 PM on August 10, 2006

(try flyertalk.com)
posted by kcm at 5:48 PM on August 10, 2006

At many (most?) airports, the boarding-pass/ID checking before the security screening is not done by TSA, it's done by private contractors (hired by the airlines, if I remember correctly).

I have only been questioned once (in maybe a dozen flights over the last few years) about the mismatch between Jim and James on my boarding pass and license.
posted by jimw at 6:02 PM on August 10, 2006

It's not the gate agents, since you generally show no ID to board the plane.

No, both the gate agent and the security officer are supposed to (and generally do) look at the name on your boarding pass and your government ID. If the person who gives you your boarding pass does not correct this error you will need to explain at security and the gate. Does your nickname sound like a nick-name-- somethng like Scooter or Junior? That might make things easier than if your namer were Henry but you went by John.

It's probably okay to settle the matter when you get to the airport, but I would call NW.

They also look at the tags on your checked baggage from time to time. My dad has been called off a plane to explain why he was using my mother's suitcase, but that's neither here nor there.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 6:18 PM on August 10, 2006

Gate agents only check IDs at certain airports. Detroit Metro, for example, tells you to put your ID away and just have your boarding pass ready. As soon as you pass the secured checkpoint, you don't need to show ID again. There are many airports where you must show ID twice. (Or three times if you don't use the self-check in machines).
posted by Roger Dodger at 8:22 PM on August 10, 2006

I went on a trip in 2002 where a ticket had mistakenly been put in the name of the traveler's (late) father. I think we just explained it and they let him through.

And I don't recall ever showing ID at the gate. I always have it ready but I don't think I've ever pulled it out.
posted by SuperNova at 10:27 PM on August 10, 2006

I've travelled fairly recently with my sister's ticket. We have different first names. I think I said it was my middle name or something. I'd call the airline to make sure [and get the name of who you speak to blah blah blah] but my guess is that this will not be an issue, especially if the last names totally match and are not something totally common like Smith/Jones.
posted by jessamyn at 8:55 AM on August 11, 2006

Response by poster: Update: SFO didn't bat an eye, I think they only confirmed my photo on my password. DTT was puzzled, the machine that swipes passports rejected on the name -- the NWA agent simply reprinted my ticket, very pleasant. No hassle or fees.
posted by cior at 12:57 PM on August 19, 2006