I read recently that new TSA rules were going into effect where the name on your boarding pass must exactly match your ID (i.e. can't say "Bob" on the boarding pass and "Robert" on your driver's license). Wonder if this has something to do with it.

I received the e-mail and updated my Southwest information.

But I realized that my driver's license uses my middle initial, and my passport uses my entire middle name. Since I fly Southwest just within the states, I guess I will probably be using my DL on those flights (barring something unusual).

I wonder if this will become a problem down the road. I guess I could request my DL be updated to use my entire middle name.

Anyone know if the middle name/middle initial issue is important when flying?

You shouldn't have an immediate problem. From TSA's website:

"You should ensure that the name provided when booking your travel matches the government ID that you will use when traveling. However, TSA has built some flexibility into the processes regarding passenger name accuracy. For the near future, small differences between the passenger�s ID and the passenger�s reservation information, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, should not cause a problem for the passenger. Over time, passengers should strive to obtain consistency between the name on their ID and their travel information."

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers...ght/index.shtm