Yes.

Passport and Global Entry. I cannot imagine not having it.

What is all this "Real ID" stuff? I have real ID. I have a valid driver's license and a birth certificate showing I was born in the United States.

quote:

Global Entry

What in the world is that?

Yes, even though I have no currently known intentions of travelling anywhere that needs one anymore - I keep it up - as does the wife. [Course we are part of the great unvaxxed so not welcome to travel, or will be soon ]

For those required to go in person you can pay for expedited or walk through service to passport companies and it keeps you from dealing with it and being in person. We used it years back and well worth it and recommended to others we know who were grateful to use it

ETA - Real ID Info

I do not, but if you think there is any chance you want to go overseas, start now. The wait is forever.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Absolutely, because the scuba diving, while pretty good here, is both warmer and better other places that aren't the US.

I used to be a NAUI Assistant Instructor and agree completely.

The Caribbean for coral and the Pacific for fish.

Weird, I'd have put it almost opposite (Indonesia and Palau (which had great sharks) had great coral (and weird critters), Cozumel, Belize and Roatan had the great fish but the coral was just okay. At least for me and the sites I dove (which were admittedly pretty touristy). But all beat anywhere in the US for warmth and wildness. Though BC is great if you can take the cold water (I can but wifey is getting wimpy). Still need the passport though. Former PADI instructor.

Passport and global entry. I travel for work. Not since covid, but it will resume some day.

Mine had expired during the virus end of the world shutdown, and the Dept. of State was not processing renewals until recently (except for "life or death" situations). I had it back within 2 months, so I'm good to go now. I renewed my Wife's this summer and it was processed faster than I expected.

Yup.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
What is all this "Real ID" stuff? I have real ID. I have a valid driver's license and a birth certificate showing I was born in the United States.

quote:

Global Entry

What in the world is that?

USCBP fast track system for travelers, if you travel quite a bit it's a way to expedite processing through customs security.

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit. Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.

Global Entry

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

I do have a valid Passport Card though, much easier to carry around as you can put it in your wallet.

Not valid for most foreign countries, but it is good for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, which is enough for me.

I would not advise going to any non-USA location with just the Passport Card. Problem is, if something happens and you MUST fly back to the USA (maybe medical reasons, Cruise ship has issues, family emergency back home, etc), you simply cannot fly without jumping through some additional hoops. Suddenly you have a very complex situation on your hands.

You may not be a cruise ship fan, but I know of a family who was on a cruise and had to take Alaska Air back from from Puerto Vallarta due to a family emergency. just one example, YMMV.

Yes, 2 of them. Hoping to use them again someday.

We used to have them, we let them expire. We used to enjoy going to the Caribbean. There is no way I would be able to get my wife to leave the USA now.

I got married in Jamaica (hope the wife doesn't find out ) but that was in the late 1990s, when US Citizens didn't need a passport to enter that country. I hear that's changed.

I do not have a passport yet but have printed the paperwork to start the process. When I travelled to Japan in the 90's I was in the Air Force so I didn't need it. In the next year or two my best friend and I will go back to visit and we both need one, so I'll be submitting my application in the very near future.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Global Entry

What in the world is that?

Gov program to allow US citizens returning home to avoid the long-lines at passport control. Prior to, all arrivals had to line-up (shit sandwich when several int'l wide-bodies all land within 30-min of each other), stand before the man, and answer some questions. Global Entry you submit to a background check (info they already have), some admin work and an interview to confirm what you submitted. For the frequent traveler, this was some relief as it also include TSA Pre-Check however, government promoted this hard and now there's quite a few people onboard. Since then the Mobile Pass App was developed, which is similar to the convenance of Global Entry, without the background check.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
I would not advise going to any non-USA location with just the Passport Card. Problem is, if something happens and you MUST fly back to the USA (maybe medical reasons, Cruise ship has issues, family emergency back home, etc), you simply cannot fly without jumping through some additional hoops. Suddenly you have a very complex situation on your hands.

You may not be a cruise ship fan, but I know of a family who was on a cruise and had to take Alaska Air back from from Puerto Vallarta due to a family emergency. just one example, YMMV.

Most people who utilize the card are those who live along the Mex or Can border and cross frequently.

Yes, we took a cruise in Hawaii in 2020. Eventhough we never left the states, it was required.

I left once with Uncle Sam, no plans to go again.

You now need a passport to travel to the state of Hawaii?

Yes. Just renewed it this summer.

Yes, I do. Mine expires at the end of 2029. I make enough trips overseas (and to Canada) for tours that I keep it current. I like to travel.

flashguy

I would have gotten one for work to give international trainings, but then COVID happened. We are doing the classes remotely now. The program will return to in-person in the future...sometime.

I'll let work pay for it then.