The Transportation Security Administration has inaugurated Secure Flight, the long-delayed computerized screening program the federal government is using to check passenger names against government watch lists.

The new requirement, announced on May 15, requires passengers making airline reservations to enter their names as they appear on government-issued identification they are using while traveling. TSA has been working on this technology since 2004, a recommendation made by the 9/11 commission in the wake of the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history. But it's had plenty of stops and starts as the federal government tried to install this new technology.

The goal is a lofty one. TSA wants to check 100 percent of passengers on domestic flights by early 2010, and international flights by the end of 2010. And they need the technology to make it happen.

Will it work? Congressional auditors think it will. The General Accountability Office found that Secure Flight achieved most of the goals set up by Congress, and has plans for reaching the remaining ones. But like any new program, the success will be clearly evident if it works. If it doesn't, it's back to the drawing board.

For more on TSA's Secure Flight:
- check out this Aviation Week article