Fingerprinting and visas for Americans traveling to Euopean countries
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:20 AM
#22
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Jan 9th, 2004, 04:28 AM
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The new requirement will not affect most passport holders, only those who acquire a new one after October 26.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) advised anyone whose passport was due to expire after October to renew it early.
I bet the UK Passport Agency will hastewn its efforts to produce passports with biometric details - bearing a microchip recording fingerprints or face recognition data -earlier than the current mid-2005 projection.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) advised anyone whose passport was due to expire after October to renew it early.
I bet the UK Passport Agency will hastewn its efforts to produce passports with biometric details - bearing a microchip recording fingerprints or face recognition data -earlier than the current mid-2005 projection.
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:28 AM
#25
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But JimSteels's point is well made. I don't think authorities in the US (let alone the general public there) have grasped the full implications of the new US regulations. I'm convinced there will be a sharp decline in affected European tourists travelling to the US - and possibly retaliatory measures from European countries (which I guess is the thrust behind the original question).
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:31 AM
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And nobody's actually thought to ask us in Europe if we want biometric details on our passports - I know I don't, and if that meant I couldn't visit the US again then I would accept that, much as it would disappoint me.
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:42 AM
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The point is not fingerprinting or taking photos, or whatever biometric measurmenets.
The issue iis what is done with al the information that is collected.
US intelligence is very often either sheer incompetence, completely paranoid, or under political influence (eg warning signs about 911, WMDs in Iraq, ...).
I'm really concerned that one day some stupid US custom officer will deny me access to the US - even during transit to South America- for no good reason.
The issue iis what is done with al the information that is collected.
US intelligence is very often either sheer incompetence, completely paranoid, or under political influence (eg warning signs about 911, WMDs in Iraq, ...).
I'm really concerned that one day some stupid US custom officer will deny me access to the US - even during transit to South America- for no good reason.
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:43 AM
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Keith, I thought european governments were already moving to include biometric details on your passports and not doing it because the US mandated it. Perhaps the US setting a hard deadline is a good thing in the long run, despite the short-term anguish for some travelers.
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:45 AM
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Yes if it were $100 per visit, that would be an obstacle at times.
This is a musing, a conjecture, a stab at a conspiracy theory. I don't plan to provide any sources, no matter the number of times you verbally stamp your little foot.
Just out of curiosity, has it occurred to anyone that part of the aim may be to -- intentionally -- reduce the amount of international travel both into and out of the US? An isolated population is an easier to control population, a tool used in other well know countries.
This is a musing, a conjecture, a stab at a conspiracy theory. I don't plan to provide any sources, no matter the number of times you verbally stamp your little foot.
Just out of curiosity, has it occurred to anyone that part of the aim may be to -- intentionally -- reduce the amount of international travel both into and out of the US? An isolated population is an easier to control population, a tool used in other well know countries.
Jan 9th, 2004, 04:52 AM
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Chat - hehe I'm actually not very liberal. I don't really care about politics at all. I just saw you yammering away at people this morning. Usual "blah blah blah" you always do. I thought I'd give you something to get worked up about this morning.
Appreciate it! Right wingers are always so predictable, but you did forget to work the word "whiner" in somewhere.
Jan 9th, 2004, 05:02 AM
#34
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The joke about pizza ordering missed me, probably because doing business now, today, is something of a joke.
In most stores, I am lucky if the clerk takes time out from describing Volume V, chapter 26 of her love life to her cohorts to actually ring in my purchases. If I order a pizza, hold the cheese please, I might only have to scrape off the cheese 2/3 of the time.
With what awe and wonder do I await the day when, as a result of government legislation, a store will actually verify the details of my order, let alone my life.
The right-wing says Al Quaeda is trying to terrorize me and the left-wing says the government is trying to terrorize me but I'm a Pogo fan: I have met the enemy, and he is us.
In most stores, I am lucky if the clerk takes time out from describing Volume V, chapter 26 of her love life to her cohorts to actually ring in my purchases. If I order a pizza, hold the cheese please, I might only have to scrape off the cheese 2/3 of the time.
With what awe and wonder do I await the day when, as a result of government legislation, a store will actually verify the details of my order, let alone my life.
The right-wing says Al Quaeda is trying to terrorize me and the left-wing says the government is trying to terrorize me but I'm a Pogo fan: I have met the enemy, and he is us.
Jan 9th, 2004, 05:02 AM
#35
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Actually, when I see silly stuff like what you wrote, I find it amusing. It also amazes me that that here are plenty of people who belief such stuff.
By the way, I've voted for both parties in the past. I'd love to vote DEM again, if we had somebody strong on defense and able to resist raisng taxes.
By the way, I've voted for both parties in the past. I'd love to vote DEM again, if we had somebody strong on defense and able to resist raisng taxes.
Jan 9th, 2004, 05:39 AM
#36
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I travel for both business & travel and I think that it will come down to some sort of "Fast Pass" for frequent travel. As we all know money talks in every country. Once this all starts to effect the productivity of international trade, I think we will see changes to a better system.
Also, 2 things have been mentioned that are not 100% true.
1. We do have a personal identification number here in the US, it is our social security number, and the point was a good one: I've often wondered why we don't use that number for our passports.
2. Fingerprints are NOT always without the ink pad system. In fact, very few US agencies use a scan type print.
My brother recently needed his fingerprints taken by the FBI in Virginia for travel to Zimbabwe and guess what they used? A good old fashioned ink pad!
This has been a thought provoking post! To our good friends from countries other than the US - lot's of us really do care about what you have to go through too!
Lily
Also, 2 things have been mentioned that are not 100% true.
1. We do have a personal identification number here in the US, it is our social security number, and the point was a good one: I've often wondered why we don't use that number for our passports.
2. Fingerprints are NOT always without the ink pad system. In fact, very few US agencies use a scan type print.
My brother recently needed his fingerprints taken by the FBI in Virginia for travel to Zimbabwe and guess what they used? A good old fashioned ink pad!
This has been a thought provoking post! To our good friends from countries other than the US - lot's of us really do care about what you have to go through too!
Lily
Jan 9th, 2004, 08:21 AM
#37
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Jody thanks for provideing the link. It is expected that this will effect 3 million UK passports. The problem with specaly renewing your passport before the deadline of Oct 04 is that it is an extra hassle just to visit the US. This all puts extra expence on to your trip. I do really think that this kind of thing will effect peoples choice of visiting the US.
Jan 9th, 2004, 08:30 AM
#39
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I'm a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen of the good old USA. I have nothing to hide. Take my fingerprints, please, and give me an express lane to check in at the airport. Those who feel civil-liberty infringement and everyone else can wait in the "other" line.
