For example, civilians in the European Union do not need a passport to tour different countries in the EU. The majority of people, U.S. Citizens included often do not need to present theirs to travel among countries in the EU either; however you need one to GET INTO one of the European Union counties in the first place.
If you are a U.S. resident, you will need this travel record now more than ever. You've always needed one to fly to Europe, Asia or beyond, but now you need one to fly to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Previously, to get into Canada or Mexico or to most of the Islands of the Caribbean, all you needed was your birth certificate and evidence of identity like your driver's license. September 11, 2001 altered all that.
To cross the borders into Canada and Mexico by land or by sea (that is driving or cruising) you presently need a government passport, a passport card or a WHTI-compliant document. Or, you need a government-issued Photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate.
Don't you love "government speak"? WHTI stands for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. There is a whole list of rules about what a WHTI-compliant document is. If you think you qualify for one of these, you'd better check the rules at the U.S. Department of State and be sure.
Starting in July of 2008, the U.S. Government began issuing U.S. Passport Cards. These wallet-size cards are convenient and less expensive, but they can NOT be used for international AIR travel. Watch for a future article for full explanation of what this card is.
Children traveling with you need passports too, even infants.
And, all of the traveler's documents should be current and legitimate. Depending on the laws of the country you're traveling to, they might have to be legitimate for 3 to 6 months after you return from your journey. That means they can't expire for several months after your return.
It is up to you to make sure you possess the proper records. You must not take the word of the airline you're traveling with, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), or a travel agent. They can give you their view, but if any of them is misinformed, it's your journey that will be delayed or ruined.
Even though I'm attempting to provide you the best advice I can, it's confusing. So the best recommendation is to confirm with the U.S. Department of State or your local government agency. The very best recommendation I can give you is this... If you're ready to travel anywhere outside of the borders of the United States or your home nation, simply get a government passport
Have a plan when you put things into bins on the screening belt. If you put things through the screening in the right order, you'll be able to put yourself back together faster afterward. Here are a few other ways to make your experience with airport security check a more pleasant one:
First put your shoes, coat and your carry-on "personal item" (usually your smaller bag) in the first bin. They will come through the x-ray first, and you can be putting them back on while you're waiting for your other items to be screened.
If you're carrying a computer, put your laptop case in the bin ahead of your computer, then when your laptop comes through, you'll have the case ready to slip the computer right back into it.
If it's going to take you a long time to put your shoes back on, collect all of your belongings and move to the side so the line doesn't get jammed up. There are usually a few chairs against a wall nearby where you can sit down and put yourself back together.
You will annoy your fellow travelers AND the screening agents if you stand there and try to put those shoes on. Don’t leave your bin on the screening belt with others backing up behind yours, either. Airports report that almost half of all security checkpoint bottlenecks are caused by people putting themselves together after screening without moving to the side.... Don't let this be you!
I'm telling you that you are going to read this, and next time you travel, you will effortlessly move through the airport security check. Everyone will think you're an expert traveler no matter whether you travel often or not.
