The U.S. government was plodding along with the job of upgrading passports. I suspect that if 9/11 hadn't happened, the next generation of passports would have been ready at about the same time that people started needing passports to Mars.
As it is, the new, high-tech passports, with embedded software and data chips, are ready now. "U.S. Allies Begin Issuing High-Tech Passports for Travelers" gives more detail on the smart passports.
The immediate plus here is that, since other countries which are not likely to support terrorism are using the new, more efficient, passports too, it will be possible to concentrate on higher-risk travelers.
A next step now, according to that article, is to deal with how personal information can leak out of the new system. Apparently, it wouldn't be too difficult to commit identity theft with the new system: providing that the thief was tech-savvy.
I don't see the identity-theft issue as a reason to abandon the new technology. If our ancestors had been that sensitive about using new tools, we'd probably still be discussing property rights with cave bears.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving, the War on Terror, and the American Traveler
The four-day Thanksgiving weekend is a big day for traveling, if you're an American. Travel inside the United States hasn't been affected much by the 9/11 reality check, but what's needed for travel to other countries is changing.
The last time I went to Canada, decades ago, crossing the border was no more than an opportunity to stop for a few minutes, have a short chat about why I was crossing the border, and what I had in the car.
Now, things aren't quite so easy. The U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for Canada shows requirements that are tighter than I remember. I'm not going to try to sort out what's written there, but it looks like Americans need some sort of photo ID to get back into America. And, the Canadian Embassy has a few words on the subject, too. I see that, starting January 31, 2008, the U.S. government will require documents for people coming in from Canada.
I'm not upset by any of this. Even in this small town, I've had to show documentation to prove I am who I say I am (that drier's license is a handy document).
I'm not happy, either. The open Canadian-American border was something to be proud of.
Population density being what it is up here though, in practice the border is still open.
Providing that someone is willing to walk in, or take an ATV.
And then, be prepared to
The last time I went to Canada, decades ago, crossing the border was no more than an opportunity to stop for a few minutes, have a short chat about why I was crossing the border, and what I had in the car.
Now, things aren't quite so easy. The U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for Canada shows requirements that are tighter than I remember. I'm not going to try to sort out what's written there, but it looks like Americans need some sort of photo ID to get back into America. And, the Canadian Embassy has a few words on the subject, too. I see that, starting January 31, 2008, the U.S. government will require documents for people coming in from Canada.
I'm not upset by any of this. Even in this small town, I've had to show documentation to prove I am who I say I am (that drier's license is a handy document).
I'm not happy, either. The open Canadian-American border was something to be proud of.
Population density being what it is up here though, in practice the border is still open.
Providing that someone is willing to walk in, or take an ATV.
And then, be prepared to
- Survive in the lake country of Northern Minnesota
(wonderful place: but underdeveloped and swampy) - Trek across North Dakota or Montana
- Or have a go at cross-country mountain climbing further west
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