Tagged With "Automated Passport Control"
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Re: Surprising Speke Hall, Liverpool
Great piece! I can't say enough good things about John Lennon Airport that's next door. Not only is does it have a wide array of budget flights for Europe, the passport control is actually friendly there.
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Re: Belfast: An Uneasy City
I think I have to disagree on comparing human societies to plate tectonics; over the latter we have no control, but I would hate to ever think we've exhausted the possibility of dealing with the former. Examining mass religious conflicts generally reveals other issues beneath. That's certainly true of the long and tortured history between the two islands and the two Irelands. While James was a Catholic and William a Protestant, the real issues behind the conflict that set Ireland's future...
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #12. Brasov, Romania
Congratulations Worker Bee! Nice write up PHeymont! The Black Church holds some significant memories for me personally as does the whole city. In the aerial shot, if you look closely, you will also find some drab communist era apartment buildings. The time of Ceausescu and the Securitate was a time no one who lived in the country will forget. It was also Romania's baby boom when a lot people of people were born due to no birth control. The Romanian people are talented and o pen and I...
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Re: Your Favourite Travel Camera (or 2)
I see I'm in good company--I'm joining the two-camera brigade for the first time in years (years ago I traveled with two SLRs, one with color film and the other B/W, and then for a while with a film and a digital). I've been working for the last dozen years with a single compact (been through a Fuji, a Canon, Panasonic Lumix and recently a Nikon S9400 ). All have been good, and on an escalating curve of features. All the left-behinds are still in use elsewhere in the family. I actually...
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
I don't mind autopilot and I don't mind a second opinion from a computer, but I don't like the computer deciding when to "fly" and override the humans, unless with very clear program instructions (eg. If plane is clearly out of control. JFK Jr could have used such a system to prevent his plane crash because he was completely disoriented when he crashed his private plane)
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
I remember that scene vividly. A terrifying moment in cinematic history because of how completely out of control the fate of those 2 astronauts was. Ever had a computer plotting to kill you? Buy a HAL 9000.
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
Well, of course Bling is right that a completely automated system wouldn't have resulted in that situation...assuming it was functioning properly (note the Westworld reference above). That's why so many systems (cruise control in your car, autopilot on a plane, driverless transit trains) all have a human override built in.
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I just don't know what to think. Does every question to a front office staff or concierge deserve a tip? How many envelopes do I need to carry for three weeks for housekeeping? If you are fortunate enough to get twice daily service do you tip both times? On my last trip because it was low season, we spoiled ourselves with a very nice hotel.... I admit more times than one desperately searching my pockets for change or (gulp) even a five Euro note... I understand that hotel staff does not make...
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Re: Italian town bans barking
If this ban will be enforced, it is effectively a ban on having dogs in that town, because by their nature, dogs will bark. Some do it more than others, but they all will bark sometime. You can try to control and discipline them, but that will have limited success. People love their dogs. I know that's true of me and it's true of many others. Doesn't sound like the kind of place I'd want to live in.
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Re: Sweden, Dominican Republic get pre-clearance OK
All the extra security is just smoke and mirrors. Its made to look like the Security Services are in control of the situation. The passengers are the one's who have saved the day in previous incidents.
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Re: Passport Woes
Almost disaster. We once purchased a new Volvo back in 1991 and a trip to the factory in Goteborg Sweden to pick up the car was included. We picked up our new car and crossed via ferry into Denmark without a hitch. But at the German customs and passport control station, I was denied entry including our vehicle. I had shaved off my beard a few months prior, but my passport photo still showed the beard. The German officials kept saying that it wasn't my passport and to produce my real...
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Re: Passport Woes
My son was denied entry to the US shortly after 9-11. "Because the US isn't accepting men traveling alone" He replied "That's not a valid reason" So they stamped "Deported" on his passport. "Is that good enough for you ? "
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #40
Mac -- there are S-o-o-o-ooo many military coups around the world on a nearly everyday basis.... But indeed, the military took control of this place recently
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Re: Is it time to regulate airplane seats? Chris Elliott thinks so!
This debate seems to accept that the profit margins of Trans-Atlantic Flights are squeezed by costs outside the carriers control. The only solution they have is squeeze more seats in to control income. Last month I paid £759 ($1245) for 1 seat UK to Philadelphia - Return - with an American Airline. 7 hours in the sky. Each way. My £759 will also get me a flight to the Caribbean from the UK. 10 hours in the sky. 14 nights in a hotel. Food and drink included. And flight back. The Caribbean...
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Re: Memphis, Tennessee 2) The King's chariots
Thanks, Garry. Yes, there is definitely an interest in Elvis from the younger generation. I'd say that today most of those visiting Graceland were not alive when Elvis died. And what's most amazing to me is how they come from all over the planet. Some of his greatest supporters, as you know, are from the UK (and also Japan for that matter). Elvis always regretted not performing in England, but his manager (he of the 50% cut fame) was an illegal alien without a passport, so he only kept Elvis...
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Re: Streetscape, Old San Juan
I have a theory about being the descendant of adventuresome immigrants, those brave or restless souls that crossed the Atlantic in the the mid-1600s. It's an impulse over which I, and likely they, have had no control.
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Re: Summer Solstice at Stonehenge 2014
Its good to see 37,000 people being able to enjoy the day without the need for the "Boys in Blue" taking control. There are many Stone Circles across Europe. Do they have the same draw on the locals I wonder ? Great photos that I think have caught the "flavour" of the day. Thanks !
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Re: Dismaland - the new 'post-apocalyptic' bemusement park in England
I do like how Disney maintains their parks but prices have really gotten out of control. Parking alone to Disney World is $17.
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Re: Iran: Friendliness, Culture, Modernity - So Far Away From The Clichés!
Hello Dr. Fumblefinger, Thank you for your Feedback! To answer your questions: 1) The infrastructure is good to very good, and it is extremely easy to travel within Iran: there are lots of buses and excellent trains, there is a wide range of hotels, from simple guesthouses to world-class 5 stars hotels, restaurants going from street food stalls to fine dining, ... I have read that with the very fast development of tourism, the high-end category of hotels is the one that might get overbooked...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo, #104
The control panel says its a Boeing B17 Flying Fortress. The call sign says its N3509G. But there are plenty of examples around the world .. Best get to work on the clues !!
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
Garry, aside from the fact that climate change involves far more than the question of polar ice caps, we're not in huge disagreement, I think. 1. Climate change is a more accurate term than global warming, because it's not all about warming, and in some cases the change brings colder rather than warmer. 2. The effects are not the same everywhere, nor are they always immediately harmful. It is possible for one area to be threatened with inundation while another benefits from a return of...
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Re: Spain, Portugal gain tourists in Greek crisis
I think people are exchanging visiting GREECE now for a lot of other European countries too besides Spain and Portugal. Avoiding uncertainty in travel is very hard to do though when you travel no matter where you go as i've found out with a lost passport and ferry strikes
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
I'm glad to hear the process worked so well. But I am surprised, for some reason, that they charged you for it. I wish you'd reported that it was as straightforward as you said and also that it's a service that comes with having paid for your passport already. Oh, well.
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
I also wish they didn't charge extra for it since I already paid for a Passport. I expected that part though. I was just glad to get my Passport the first business day.
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
I appreciate reading this because I have always wanted to know what to do if I lose my passport. I always carry with me extra passport photos and a photocopies of my passport. Glad to know they could come in handy.
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
I like HistoryDigger's idea of carrying extra passport-sized photos...even if you don't lose your passport, you may find them useful if you need them for a transit pass (as in Paris, for the Navigo). We also carry color copies of the ID page of our passports; in case of loss or theft it may help identify you at the consulate.
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Re: Lost a US Passport Overseas? What I learned this trip.
i believe that we should make a copy of our passport and bring some photos (passport size) before departure. It will be really useful in the case we lost our passport. This is my travel experience whilst working as travel consultant in Vietnam.
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Re: TSA, American testing automated security screens
This sounds like a nice idea. A modernization of a tedious process. Hope it works!
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Re: Has anyone used their Enhanced Drivers License to travel to Canada or Mexico?
Most of the people I know who have this license are those who don't want to travel internationally and who live near the Canada-US border. There are a number of town literally split by the border and people migrate across daily to visit friends or work. I think these licenses are intended for them. Same for the Mexico USA border. If you travel internationally and have a passport, no point paying extra for the license for most folks. Passports have become more sophisticated and if you read...
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Re: Has anyone used their Enhanced Drivers License to travel to Canada or Mexico?
Thanks Dr Fumblefinger. I have used passport covers before and that's a good reminder for me. Even with the passport covers though, my passports have looked pretty rough after several years. And now in the US, you can't add pages . I thought the EDL's were relatively cheap and if it saves me some wear and tear on the passport and passport pages, I'm willing get one.
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Re: IRS gains power to get passports cancelled
That is too much authority to give this agency, which already has fear-invoking rights of property seizure. I don't see what a revenue collection agency has to do with a citizen's right to have a passport. Maybe the person owing taxes needs to conduct business overseas to pay the Treasury what it says it is owed? How could they do this if they can't travel?
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Re: Berlin: No, the airport won't open in 2017
Oh, there's been plenty of corruption in it; that's known and been investigated. But that doesn't account for the incompetent fire safety system that assumed smoke goes down, not up, etc. And yes, it IS possible to screw up more than this: They could have OPENED it with the bad fire control system and the weak roof and the ....
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Re: Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee: The house Sam Phillips built
Actually, the importance of Memphis is long-standing and for good reason: it's on a flood-free bluff above the Mississippi. At different times in its history, both French and Spanish armies built forts there to control traffic on the Mississippi, and before the Civil War, it was the terminus of the only east-west railroad to cross the South...so it has always been a big transportation center. The railroad guaranteed its role in shipping cotton, and made it the center of the region.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar 10, 2014: Fiori di Como, The Bellagio, Las Vegas
I love staying in Harrahs in Vegas. I get control of the TV. She looks out the window at the Bellagio - for the water and music show !
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Re: The Big Island of Hawaii (Part 1). Volcanoes Park
Thanks for the comment, PHeymont. It's a great destination partially because the tourist industry can't control it. The volcano will do what it wants and as the flow of lava over the road reminds us, we have little power to stop it.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark
The hold up in NY is that passengers - mostly just changing flights - have to enter the US. Then leave the US before getting an onward flight to other parts of the world. In non-US countries you can enter the International Lounge to wait for your next flight with no customs or visas. Just onward boarding card and passport. Quick and easy.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark
You're both right of course. No one has the moral high ground on delays. When you transit an airport with several terminals you do need to enter the country first. But hub airports like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bahrain have all been so polite and helpful it makes you realise that there is a better way. I use Philadelphia airport now to enter the US. It rates alongside Orlando as a pleasant experience. Last year I went through passport control in Philly. When asked, I told the officer that...
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Re: Finding Reiner #2: Chasing Ghosts
Another brilliant post, HistoryDigger! Thanks. I think you've described the situation many young German men were in, and it's a lesson for all of us to fight tyranny at every step and with all we have. It is also a reminder to me how a government that is "a friend of the people" can crush those same people if their power isn't checked. After the Nazis had seized power, there was no tolerance for dissent. You were either with them -- or you were in big big trouble (possibly even fatal...
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Re: Gold Country, California: The Empire Mine
The company towns in the coal territories had another function as well...they made the miners dependent on the company for housing, paid in scrip redeemable at the company store (remember "Sixteen Tons"?). That not only gave the company a second profit from the miners' labor through high prices; it also gave the company a great deal of control over miners' lives—because striking or being fired meant a total uprooting and expulsion. I guess the model didn't take root in the gold camps!
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Drayton Hall
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Joseph Manigault House
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Middleton Place
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Aiken-Rhett House
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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The Valley Island of Maui: 3) Central, Upcountry and South Maui
The largest stretch of (relatively) flat land on Maui is the valley between the two volcanoes, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. This area is commonly called “Central Maui” and it’s here most locals live....
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Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Springs
It's a great time of year to be visiting the desert regions of the Southwestern USA. The weather is warm and pleasant, the wildflowers are starting to bloom, and the oppressive heat of summer is a distant...
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Monterey Bay Aquarium: Oceans Apart
Located directly on the Monterey Bay just south of Santa Cruz is a sprawling complex of nearly 200 exhibits of more than 550 species in a 2 storey building nearly 30 years old: the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA). Started in 1978, and open to the...
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San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
El Morro, the giant fortification that's guarded San Juan Harbor for nearly 500 years, is the sight we saw before we saw it. Its image is everywhere when you do online research for a trip to Puerto Rico; its "garitas"—small domed...
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Making Connections For Connecting Flights
The other day we bought tickets on Delta from "da Burgh" -JFK-Paris-Vienna. We have a 1 hour 35 minute layover at CDG to make the connection with Air France to Vienna. After extensive travel in Europe this is the first time to make a connection onto...