OK Barbara. So I usually make on-line reservations (without airline agent assistance). This is an "eTicket". I then check in at the counter/self serve kiosk with my identification to pull up the reservation so that I can get my boarding passes. At this time, the on-line reservation form (AA) does have a field for my middle name (which is included on my identification), date of birth etc.
So until this gets smoothed out, I need to call the airline and give them the extra information to put in my reservation record. OSI or SSI message area is where this new information is added.
Did I get that right?