New Testingstan

Hmmm... I seem to remember that your States can already give State-ID cards to their citizens if they specifically ask for it, which can be used instead of a driver license to vote.

Missed a word. Nothing to see here.

Oxymoron wrote:Hmmm... I seem to remember that your States can already give State-ID cards to their citizens if they specifically ask for it, which can be used instead of a driver license to vote.

Only some of them do it for free. Some charge, and while it's not a huge amount of money, it's still fairly substantial for the American poor. In addition, in my state at least, budget cutbacks have significantly reduced the number and operating hours of the centers from which you can acquire said ID.

Oxymoron wrote:Hmmm... I seem to remember that your States already give State-ID to their citizens, which can be used instead of a driver license to vote.

Some of them like making it as difficult as possible to actually get one. If you happen to move to a state that has a 30 day waiting period and requires you to surrender your former state's ID, you could be walking around with just a temporary ID for nearly a month. If you happen to do it during an election month and the state only lets you vote with a picture ID, you'd be sol if you wanted to vote.

OK, as an alternative, how about creating an ID card requirement, but also requiring that ID's be issued within 2 weeks, and making required surrender illegal. There's no reason the DMV/ID office can't use a hole punch to invalidate the old one on the spot.

Personally, I'd be happy to see the cost of the Passport card reduced to zero, and use that, but then again, I like using my GE card to mess with the TSA, and have one responded to the query "Can I see your ID" with "Federal, State, or Local?" when being bothered about a credit card.

GE card?

Global Entry, it's like NEXUS, but only works in the US.

Basically, it allows me (because I've had a background check and had my biometrics collected) to use automated kiosks at certain US entry airports instead of waiting in the line for a CBP officer. I also get a little slip that lets me cut the line at customs.

It's the most obscure ID I have, and is frequently questioned at TSA checkpoints that don't see a lot of international travelers, it's in their little book, but if they are power trippers, they get in trouble with their boss.

Nice.

I'm thinking of applying for NEXUS now. $50 for five years of hassle-free border crossing? Why not?

did a wild hare crawl up sean robertson's ass and die this morning? because fucking lol

Phantasee wrote:Nice.

I'm thinking of applying for NEXUS now. $50 for five years of hassle-free border crossing? Why not?

Yeah, I was thinking of doing NEXUS (GE is included, and NEXUS is half the cost) but I couldn't get to Canada for the interview ahead of my next flight. I'll probably get it next time I've got a layover in Canada.

Not the same thing...

Bam, google ! http://getnexus.com/

starku wrote:Dude electronic passports are old

Canada will finally have them... this year? Or end of last. Mine doesn't expire until end of 15, though, so I'll get one then. We're the last country though.

NEXUS is just a customs/immigration pass that lets you go through without waiting in line in the US and Canada. At YEG I know they don't have to stand in line for security either, they get priority.

it's just a convenience, you do an application and interview and you get pre-vetted so you don't have to stand in line and wait for a human agent

it's meant for frequent travellers, and it's a huge help at the Detroit-Windsor land crossing and the Vancouver-Washington land crossings. Priority lanes for cars saves a lot of time. All my cousins in Detroit, Windsor, and Vancouver have them.

oz doesn't have a land border with anybody so you don't know what it's like, man

Heck, it's worth the $100 just so I can make some tight connections on the east coast. Doing a 1 night layover sucks.

But don't worry, .au participates in something similar. The US is even joining it. APEC business travel card.

Actually, it doesn't do the visa restrictions in the US or Russia (only places I'd use it, most likely), just give access to GE/crew lines.

You're supposed to be able to use Diplomat/Crew lines everywhere.

gettin' off customs and immigration, i don't know if i should be feeling this elated at the new sailor moon anime next year

Doesn't the US have like super-anal restrictions and hoops to jump through now, though?

starku wrote:Great thanks for recommending something id never use
And something I wish everyone who did use just died

Why? How does it hurt you? Are you otherwise allowed to use those lanes (which are almost always staffed, and almost always empty, at least at any airport I've been to.)

Heck, as a US Taxpayer, I applaud any attempt by my government to reduce the amount of time it wastes screening harmless/helpful visitors and/or make better uses of people we already have to have. I'd also like to suggest - at the minimum - a travel visa be available on arrival. I think that we should consider a 7-day on arrival, maybe even 14.

Questor wrote:

starku wrote:Great thanks for recommending something id never use
And something I wish everyone who did use just died

Why? How does it hurt you? Are you otherwise allowed to use those lanes (which are almost always staffed, and almost always empty, at least at any airport I've been to.)

Heck, as a US Taxpayer, I applaud any attempt by my government to reduce the amount of time it wastes screening harmless/helpful visitors and/or make better uses of people we already have to have. I'd also like to suggest - at the minimum - a travel visa be available on arrival. I think that we should consider a 7-day on arrival, maybe even 14.

To this end, could we please just pull the stick out of our collective asses about cuba and do a Schengen-style thing with Canada?

like 50% of airport travelers in the us look like complete dickbags, so i can understand wishing for their death

Dude having been on a plane I think I can safely bump that to 60% and say that they are dickbags.

Baks-kun wrote:like 50% of airport travelers in the us look like complete dickbags, so i can understand wishing for their death

waiting in the security line for one of my flights i got to watch two grown men (one was in his 50s?) nearly come to blows with each other

because one prick thought the other cut in front of him in line

fun times

Baks-kun wrote:like 50% of airport travelers in the us look like are complete dickbags, so i can understand wishing for their death

fixed it for you.