Hoffman Estates 8-year-old targeted at O'Hare

This column's all about safety.

At age 8, Carlissa Greco is not the type of person you'd think would raise security flags.

But on two previous trips, the Hoffman Estates youngster has been delayed at O'Hare International Airport because her name matched someone on a watch list, her family said. When she was flying to Sacramento in 2009 and New Jersey in 2008 for vacation, U.S. Transportation Security Administration agents were called over to check out Carlissa's story.

"The first time, we were really surprised, but the second time we expected it," mom Honaire Greco said.

Although they knew there was some mistake, it was a little nerve-racking to wait for the authorities, Honaire explained. Once TSA agents arrived and saw they were dealing with a grade-school student, she was cleared for takeoff.

The system should work better, the family thinks. As for Carlissa, she takes it in stride. "At first, she was upset," Honaire said. Now, she says jokingly, "I'm a security risk."

What gives? I asked the TSA folks at O'Hare, who could neither confirm or deny any names on the watch list.

Misidentification does occur, officials acknowledged. However, the government started requiring airlines last fall to collect the full name, date of birth and gender of passengers buying tickets. That information is compared to watch lists by the TSA and shared with airlines to (hopefully) lessen these type of mix-ups.

If you're one of those people with a dubious doppelgänger out there, you can check out the Traveler's Redress Inquiry Program aimed at passengers who've been misidentified. The Web site is www.dhs.gov/trip.

And FYI, there are no children on the No Fly or Selectee (people required to undergo additional screening) lists.

The second security issue comes from Carol Ballee of Arlington Heights, a frequent rider on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line.

Last month during the evening rush, her train was sitting at Ogilvie Transportation Center when "a man dressed like a normal commuter (clean cut, down jacket, jeans and a backpack) got on the train with his son who appeared to be about 10 years old," Ballee wrote. "The man loudly announced that everyone should pay attention, that he and his son were 'going through hard times,' and they needed money. He appeared to be very angry and proceeded to glare at people and pick certain ones out to ask if they would give him money.

"Fortunately he was just an angry beggar, but I started thinking that this would be a good way for a terrorist to get on the train. If this guy had been a terrorist, he would have succeeded by dressing so normally and being accompanied by a child."

In such situations, Metra's Michael Gillis said, passengers should notify a train crew member. If Metra staff aren't available, call police or 911 if warranted.

"Passengers can help keep Metra safe by reporting unattended packages and suspicious activity. Never assume someone else will make the call. If you see something, say something."

You can reach Union Pacific police at (888) 877-7267 or Metra police at (312) 322-2800.

Flotsam and jetsambull; The League of Illinois Bicyclists holds an Introduction to Bicycle Planning seminar from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at the DuPage County government center, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. For details, visit bikelib.org.bull; Expect 175 American Airlines pilots to face layoffs by the end of March. The move ironically affects many pilots who returned in spring 2009 after years of furlough. The fallout from the departures means demotions for many crew members and relocations, Allied Pilot Association spokesman Dennis Tajer said. "This has a dramatic effect on the lives of the Chicago pilot group," said Tajer, who lives in Arlington Heights.bull; Red-light camera legislation to tweak the existing law or ban the devices is all over Springfield. What do you think? Drop me a line at mpyke@dailyherald.com.