Travel Tip: Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA)

The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection enforcement of the so-called Electronic System of Travel Authorization for visitors to the US. Visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, and other countries that qualify for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program must register online before travelling to the United States. Beginning Monday, January 19, all these visitors must be registered and approved before travelling to the United States.

ESTA is an electronic version of the already in-place I-94W form but the department wants to have this information further in advance in order to compare to databases and prevent those who might pose a security threat from entering the United States. Previously, a traveller complete the I-94W while in transit and for trips lasting less than 90 days.

More details...CNET.com: U.S. visitors required to register online.

Several travel industry associations are greatly concerned with the new procedure. The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the U.S. Travel Association (USTA--formerly the Travel Industry Association (TIA)) cite, among other things, the following concerns:

1. Lack of a procedure for those who do not have Internet access or are unable to use the Internet;
2. A provision to resolve a threat misidentification; and,
3. with more than 15 million travellers to the US from the identified nations alone, the lack of a procedure to handle those who have inadvertently failed to comply with the new regulation

The Homeland Security Administration cites the successful use of a similar program in Australia and the move to a paperless procedure.

Tom
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Travel Tip: Travel Documents and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

In a previous post (Oct. 9, 2006: Travel Tips: Passports and PASS Card), I wrote about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

At the time of the post, I noted that the WHTI would require all US citizens traveling into or out of the US to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda by air to have a valid passport by January 8, 2007. Provisions applicable to sea and land travel were suspended until certain Congressional criteria were addressed.

Now the requirement of travel documents for sea and land entries will be effective June 1, 2009.

For a list of documents that are acceptable, visit the US Customs and Border Protection WHTI page. There are exceptions, including: for active duty military; for cruise passengers whose cruise begins and ends in a US port (a so-called 'closed-loop' cruise--but there is no change in passport rules for visiting foreign ports of call); for those with an 'Enhanced Driver's License'; and, for those who participate in an approved Trusted Traveler program (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST and others--see the Customs and Border Protection site).

But we have to ask: Do we need anything other than a passport? Not really. A passport will do just what it designed to do: identify you as a citizen of your country and allow your passage through your country's borders. The WHTI simply extends the requirement of having a passport to travel between the US and Mexico or Canada, and to all means of travel.

This suggests some precaution in falling prey to those pandering new required documents. If you do not need a document, then there is no need to spend the money nor enduring the burdens of obtaining one.

Some advantages of the Trusted Traveler program include: dedicated lanes and expedited border processing for pre-approved, 'low-risk' travelers. Disadvantages: requires a background check, in-person interview and fingerprinting, plus an additional five-year membership fee.

Civil rights advocates have questioned the effectiveness, supposed enhanced security, necessity and more of the Trusted Traveler program (see the American Civil Liberties Union website.) The ACLU has also questioned the validity and security of Enhanced Drivers Licenses that are already available in Washington State and New York.


Tom
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Travel Tips: Staying Healthy While Traveling

You are congested, your stomach rumbling, and you feel the lull of sleep every time you close eyes for just a minute.

Perhaps its your immune system--weak because of lack of sleep. Maybe it is that your stomach just cannot handle the differences in water and food.

Whatever it is, staying healthy while traveling is often a big challenge.

Health Magazine conducted a review of American airports and has released the list of the Top 10 Healthiest (America's Healthiest Airports). Surprisingly, the only west coast airport that made it on the list was Portland (Oregon) International (PDX). Perhaps surprising to some, too, are some of the major airports that made it, including Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles International (IAD).

Though food and water safety are not too much of a problem at foreign airports, there can still be some health issues to keep in mind. Mom's Team, a team of experts and professionals providing a comprehensive resource for youth sports parents, offers suggestions for eating and staying healthy at foreign airports (Tips on Healthy Eating on Airlines and in Foreign Countries). The tips are good for anyone not just young sports participants.

Some of the suggestions (e.g., drink only bottled water) are not necessary in most European countries, for example. Ask friends and relatives who have traveled before what seems best. Of course, if you typically react negatively to water from any where other than your own home, then by all means, use bottled water.

Tom

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Travel Tips: TSA, Family Lanes and Larger Bottles

TSA regulations have changed. Available to families are so-called Family Lanes. The lanes allow families, especially those with children and older members, to move at their own speed.

The Family Lane also features a scanning device that can scan large bottles of liquids. Anyone who has a larger bottle of 'medically necessary' liquid (greater than 3 oz.) can ask to use the Family Lane.

See the full story at USA Today.

Tom