Passports needed for INTERSTATE travel in '08!

[MAGICX2]

I was on the phone with a customer service manager from SWA today. Through our conversation we somehow got on the subject of government issued passports. She told me that they had received information that the price of a passport was going from $60 to $120 beginning in Jan. 07 and that in 2008 everyone would need a passport when traveling by air from STATE TO STATE! Can you believe that! We discussed the changes that have already been made at the Canadian borders and the new passport rules for cruises, but travel between the states? Come on! She said that in 2008 a new law would go into effect that would require a passport when traveling by air from state to state. I can't believe it. My husband and I already have passports, but I think I will get my children one before the price goes up.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

WOW, that is crazy! We (5 of us) are going on one of the Disney Med. cruises next summer. Only 3 of us have passports. Thanks for the heads up on the price increase, I will make sure to get the other 2 passports by December.

 

[bg4]

There is only one problem. It just isnt true (as far as I can tell) - nowhere does it say you need a passport to travel between US states-

January 8, 2007 — Passports will be required for ALL air and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. This includes children of any age. Children will not be allowed to travel under their parents passport. Travel to the above areas prior to Dec.31, 2006 and return to U.S. in 2007 also requires a passport.
January 1, 2008 — Passports will be required for ALL land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.



from travel.state.gov

timeline

In the proposed implementation plan, the requirement will be rolled out in the following phases:

* On January 8, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U.S. passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
* It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative:

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport to when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
* The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
* We anticipate that these documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

 

[TDC Nala]

No, I don't believe it.

 

[MAGICX2]

* It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

It is just as you said "anticipated." So you can not say that it just isn't true. Anticipated means that this is what they have propsed and that it will most likely be this way, it just isn't set in stone yet. The customer service manager I spoke with did mention the Jan. 2008 deadline for land border crossings. She DID, however, tell me that they had received recent notification that interstate air travel would require a passport by mid to late 2008. She told me that they had received notification of the passport rule changes for cruise travel long before it was announced to the public. So, I have no reason to not believe that this interstate passport requirement will also materialize.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Mandatory passports for Canada-U.S. land crossings have been pushed back until June 2009.

In the meantime Identity Passcards are being developed as an alternative to passports. These will be cheaper ($20-30 vs. $60-120 pending) than passports.

I can't believe passports would be required for interstate travel as it would grind the economy to a halt.

 

[disneyldwjr]

It is just as you said "anticipated." So you can not say that it just isn't true. Anticipated means that this is what they have propsed and that it will most likely be this way, it just isn't set in stone yet. The customer service manager I spoke with did mention the Jan. 2008 deadline for land border crossings. She DID, however, tell me that they had received recent notification that interstate air travel would require a passport by mid to late 2008. She told me that they had received notification of the passport rule changes for cruise travel long before it was announced to the public. So, I have no reason to not believe that this interstate passport requirement will also materialize.

I certainly do have reason to belive it will not happen. If she received recent notification, then she is the only one at SWA that has. Even my contact at the TSA does not have that information. And, the supervisor I spoke with at SWA has no idea this is happening.
This information is totally bogus and I am surprised and chagrined that it came from SWA. I did think better of them.
I would be very surprised that a low level supervisor would be informed of this and would then pass it on to the public. I think someone was tugging your chain.

 

[Edd]

The simple and best way to handle that is to not even worry about it until it happens. If you start worrying about all the "what ifs" in this world you won't live long.

 

[jodifla]

I was on the phone with a customer service manager from SWA today. Through our conversation we somehow got on the subject of government issued passports. She told me that they had received information that the price of a passport was going from $60 to $120 beginning in Jan. 07 and that in 2008 everyone would need a passport when traveling by air from STATE TO STATE! Can you believe that! We discussed the changes that have already been made at the Canadian borders and the new passport rules for cruises, but travel between the states? Come on! She said that in 2008 a new law would go into effect that would require a passport when traveling by air from state to state. I can't believe it. My husband and I already have passports, but I think I will get my children one before the price goes up.

This is idiocy. Until each state becomes its own country, we won't be showing passports at the state line.

 

[BrerMama]

It's just silly to think of it. How in the world would this be regulated? How many roads enter and leave a state? You'd have to have border patrol along every one of those roads.

My parents are leaving today on a trip that will take them through 2 states in less than 12 hours. The thought they would have to stop at border crossings and show passports is unreal. Think of places like Kansas City, where you may travel back and forth over state boundaries multiple times a day.

Won't happen.

 

[Lewisc]

The federal government is trying to require the states follow some additional security steps in issuing drivers licenses and state ID cards. At least one state, I think NH, doesn't want to spend the extra money. The threat is photo ID from those states won't qualify as government issued photo ID and residents of those states might need a passport.

THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

 

[CleveRocks]

Sorry, you're just not reporting things accurately. In your OP you stated:

She said that in 2008 a new law would go into effect that would require a passport when traveling by air from state to state.

But later you back-pedaled and said

It is just as you said "anticipated." So you can not say that it just isn't true. Anticipated means that this is what they have propsed and that it will most likely be this way, it just isn't set in stone yet

Well, which is it???

You originally stated it was a law already. That's pretty much the definition of "set in stone" (a la the 10 Commandments ). But then you say it is "anticipated" and will be "most likely."

She told me that they had received notification of the passport rule changes for cruise travel long before it was announced to the public. So, I have no reason to not believe that this interstate passport requirement will also materialize

That's just simply untrue. I recall reading about the new passport laws several years ago. I read about it in the only newspaper I get, The Press of Atlantic City. That newspaper isn't exactly what I'd call cutting edge unless you want to know which headliner is appearing at which casino.

I read about the actual new laws years ago. So just because it's getting more press now and more people are slowly learning about it doesn't mean that it hasn't been announced to the public.

Ever hear of newspapers? Ever hear of C-SPAN??? Every law that's passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President of the United States is known by anyone in the public who cares to pay attention. A customer service representative of a discount airline does not have a super-secret pipeline into the inner-workings of the United States government.

But another note, I DID read that beginning in 2009 people will need passports to travel from one World Showcase country to another.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't this policy will be put in effect, if and in the unlikely event it is Congress will over turn it BUT THE RUMOR is if the TSA isn't happy with the security regarding drivers licenses Some/or all of the states drivers license will no longer count as government issued photo ID. Unless something else changes a passport will be left as the only acceptable ID. This isn't super secret. It's been in the papers. Most of us completely disregard this as something that will never happen. It starting to look like an alternative to a full passport may be developed for travel to Canada.

Eric--The law is the federal Real ID Act of 2005, which grew out of a recommendation by the Sept. 11 commission, requires states by 2008 to verify documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and passports when people apply for driver's licenses.

Some states don't want to spend the money. The threat is residents of those states will be left with a passport as the only acceptable photo ID.

I don't know why you found it necessary to attack the poster. Just because you're not aware of a law doesn't mean it wasn't passed.

The fact that I don't think the threat to require passports as ID will come to pass doesn't mean an airline representative is spreading a rumor.

I haven't read anything regarding WS guests needing a passport. I assume that was just a rude comment that was intended to be funny.

Ever hear of newspapers? Ever hear of C-SPAN??? Every law that's passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President of the United States is known by anyone in the public who cares to pay attention. A customer service representative of a discount airline does not have a super-secret pipeline into the inner-workings of the United States government.

But another note, I DID read that beginning in 2009 people will need passports to travel from one World Showcase country to another.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't this policy will be put in effect, if and in the unlikely event it is Congress will over turn it BUT THE RUMOR is if the TSA isn't happy with the security regarding drivers licenses

Just my (reasoned) guess but - I would think that would be directed at the states that don't (and apparently don't want to) put licensees' photographs on the licenses.

I haven't read anything regarding WS guests needing a passport. I assume that was just a rude comment that was intended to be funny.

Oh, now see - I thought it WAS funny. Just a different perspective on the same statement, I guess

 

[Lewisc]

Just my (reasoned) guess but - I would think that would be directed at the states that don't (and apparently don't want to) put licensees' photographs on the licenses.
Oh, now see - I thought it WAS funny. Just a different perspective on the same statement, I guess

NO, NJ is the last state without photos and they're adding photos now. The law will require that the states verify more information before they issue a license, identify if the license holder is a citizen and the license will have to contain a number of new security measures. The license will also have to be machine readable. The standards haven't been formalized. It's questionable if the Federal Government can require the states comply, hence the threat of requiring passports for air travel.

 

[salmoneous]

Just as a side note - regardless of what it required, getting a passport is a great idea even if you don't anticipate ever traveling someplace that requires it. It's worth it just as backup ID (how many threads to we have from people losing their drivers license just before a flight) and you never know when you are going to win that all expenses paid trip to DLP!

 

[Lewisc]

Just as a side note - regardless of what it required, getting a passport is a great idea even if you don't anticipate ever traveling someplace that requires it. It's worth it just as backup ID (how many threads to we have from people losing their drivers license just before a flight) and you never know when you are going to win that all expenses paid trip to DLP!

The current price for a passport is $97 + the cost of pictures and some people may also have to pay to get a copy of their birth certificates.

Passports make sense for people who think they may need one. A passport may cost almost as much as airfare to MCO. I don't think it's worth paying for one just in case you win a contest.

 

[salmoneous]

I don't think it's worth paying for one just in case you win a contest.

Oh, I don't think so either - that was just something fun to think about. To me the value is in having backup ID. The cost works out to about $9-11 / year. I think the cost worth it.

A few years back, I lost my wallet while moving. That left me in a total black-hole from an ID standpoint. I couldn't get new ID without old ID, and I couldn't get old ID as it would be sent to an address where I no longer lived. Getting out of that mess what a gigantic PITA (several days off from work going to various government agencies in person) that would have been avoided if only my passport hadn't been expired. Losing ID just before a flight isn't as big a deal, but it's another one of those headaches that can be avoided with a passport as backup ID.

As I said, I think it worth the cost and would recommend it. Others don't.

 

[bg4]

Quote:

* It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

OP said

It is just as you said "anticipated." So you can not say that it just isn't true. Anticipated means that this is what they have propsed

Nice way of changing my words around. Unfortunately those were not my words but from the State Dept. Botttom line. OP states that passports will be needed BETWEEN US STATES. State Dept states passport needed between US and Canada/Mexico/Central America/Burmuda. That what was proposed. Perhaps get it right before posting.

Until States become countries no passport needed to fly between them no matther what SWA says.

 

[DaisyD]

It isn't going to happen. I know someone that works in this area and is most definitely in the know. He beat the rush and got passports for his kids because they frequently go to Canada and the kids would need it then. There won't be an interstate requirement ever.