New Passport Rules

Diamond Cross · 01-24-2007, 01:00 AM

New passport rules take effect

Passengers coming into U.S. — including Americans — must show document

Updated: 4:54 p.m. PT Jan 23, 2007

ATLANTA - A new rule requiring U.S. airline passengers to show a passport upon their return from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean took effect Tuesday, with few reports of stranded travelers.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest, reported no problems by midday. “I think we’re looking at 100 percent compliance,” said Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman Susan Shattuck.

Most travelers who forgot about the new requirement were allowed to enter after receiving a warning and a passport application. But their names were entered into the agency’s computer system, and they will be scrutinized if it happens again.

“Nobody’s being turned away,” said Roxanne Hercules, an agency spokesman in Northern California. “These are mostly U.S. citizens coming home from traveling. We just are trying to inform them of the new rules.”

Only about a quarter of U.S. citizens hold valid passports, and most Americans were accustomed to traveling to neighboring countries with just a driver’s license or birth certificate, which have long been sufficient to get through airport customs on the trip home.

At Miami International Airport, a 7-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy traveling with family from the Caribbean did not have passports.
Pacifier, but no passport
“He had a pacifier but no passport,” Customs and Border Protection spokesman Zachary Mann said of the toddler. Both boys were let into the country after officers explained the new rules to their relatives.
At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, some Canadians arriving from Toronto had no quibble with the new requirement. “It makes sense,” Shawn Palmer said. “I guess it makes a little more secure for getting across.”
Travel agents and airlines reported no major problems after warning travelers about the new rule for more than a year.

“So far, all is quiet on our front,” said Kathy Gerhardt, spokeswoman for Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Link:

New passport rules take effect - Travel News - MSNBC.com

Me:

i feel people are being quiet because there is nothing anybody can do to protest. After all, if they protest then they will probably be investigated for possible terrorism.

7960 · 01-24-2007, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

i feel people are being quiet because there is nothing anybody can do to protest. After all, if they protest then they will probably be investigated for possible terrorism.

And I think most people realize it's a pain but there's nothing extraordinary about a passport being required to leave/enter the country. You ALWAYS had to show some ID...what's the big deal about requiring a passport?

If they protest they'll be investigated??? Bullshit.

Diamond Cross · 01-24-2007, 01:46 AM

Then there's no need to put their names on a list is there?

7960 · 01-24-2007, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

Then there's no need to put their names on a list is there?

last time I got pulled over for speeding the cop gave me a written warning, that's basically the same thing... "hey, you forgot once but if you do it again...."

Diesel66 · 01-24-2007, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

Then there's no need to put their names on a list is there?

you are completely right, they should have demanded the US citizens not be allowed in. Ship that toddler back to the Caribbean

he's a terrorist

Diamond Cross · 01-24-2007, 07:38 PM

That has happened at airports. Simply because the toddler's name was the same name of an adult who got put on a list, the toddler was searched.

No joke.

7960 · 01-25-2007, 12:51 AM

does this constitute a thread backfire yet?

motivez · 01-26-2007, 04:49 AM

I remember reading something about this awhile back, but the proposal I read seemed like there were going to be a lot more extensive requirements for even leaving the US

6SpeedTA95 · 01-29-2007, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I remember reading something about this awhile back, but the proposal I read seemed like there were going to be a lot more extensive requirements for even leaving the US

I have mixed feelings on this law. We do a lot of travel between here and canada this is going to make it a PITA but its probably for the better despite the slightly higher hassle factor

7960 · 01-29-2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I have mixed feelings on this law. We do a lot of travel between here and canada this is going to make it a PITA but its probably for the better despite the slightly higher hassle factor

how is showing a passport going to make it more of a pain than showing a driver's license?

6SpeedTA95 · 01-29-2007, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

how is showing a passport going to make it more of a pain than showing a driver's license?

From what I've read on this they will require two forms of ID, passport and drivers license...again I'm not opposed to the law but now it will require a passport to travel to Canada. Which kinda sucks simply because we do a lot of traveling to Canada. Reality is you're right its not that big a deal.

7960 · 01-29-2007, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

From what I've read on this they will require two forms of ID, passport and drivers license...again I'm not opposed to the law but now it will require a passport to travel to Canada. Which kinda sucks simply because we do a lot of traveling to Canada. Reality is you're right its not that big a deal.

I only see passport on this page

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Document Requirements (FAQs)