Are you on the terrorist watch list? Sen. Ted Kennedy and 350 other Americans have been delayed or prevented from boarding flights after their names mistakenly appeared on the terrorist "no-fly" list.(On The Home Front)

Imagine the following scene: A distinguished-looking septuagenarian approaches the US Airways ticket counter at Boston's Logan airport. He is heading for Washington, D.C. He hands his electronic ticket to the ticket agent, who checks his computer database. Trouble.

"I'm sorry. I can't let you on this flight," the agent says nervously.

"Why not? I've been taking this flight for 42 years now," the would-be passenger asks in obvious bewilderment.

"I can't tell you. You'll have to talk to my supervisor," the agent responds brusquely.

When the supervisor arrives, the tone of the exchange changes immediately. He instantly recognizes the delayed traveler as a longtime U.S. senator whose well-known visage has appeared countless times on television and in the newspapers. The red-faced supervisor apologizes profusely to the senator and quickly hands him his boarding pass.

Sorry About That

This scene is not fictional. With only slight variations, it was played out five times between March 1 and April 6, 2004, as Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) commuted back and forth between Boston and Washington. On each occasion Kennedy was not allowed to board the airplane until someone higher up in the chain of command recognized him and apologized for the mix-up.