DamageInc:

 

Hello,

 

I've inadvertently booked a flight using my shortened name Joe instead of Joseph which is on my passport. Do i need to get this changed or can i go ahead?

 

Yes you need to change your ticket.
Airlines are under firm direction from governments to be completely inflexible on this, the name on the ticket must exactly correspond to the name in the passport.

I suspect this is to facilitate the automatic passenger-vetting systems