travelinggirls

I read a brief article today about a TSA worker at
Newark airport who was arrested for stealing valuables out of luggage.  At the time he was arrested, he had stolen over $200,000 worth of goods.  The majority of items that he took were laptops and cameras.  When the police searched his home, they found sixty-six cameras, thirty-one laptops and assorted jewelry and other items.  He only got caught after trying to sell a camera on eBay.  Unfortunately for him, the camera belonged to CNN. 

Now the story goes on about how he was caught and it’s pretty interesting reading but it doesn’t have anything to do with you as a traveler so I’ll move on.  

Here is a question for you. . . Do you carry your valuables with you or put them in your checked bags?  All of the items that were stolen were from checked luggage.  That’s scary.  We can’t lock our luggage anymore so we have absolutely no control over what happens to our things. 

I know when I travel my camera (cheap one that it is) travels with me in my purse.  If I bring my laptop, that becomes my purse.  I carry them with me and keep them in sight at all times.  I don’t have expensive jewelry but even my “fashion” jewelry is carried with me in my purse.  I have to wonder why the victims of the robberies didn’t have their expensive things with them. 

I can understand the heavy equipment, like the CNN camera.  You wouldn’t want to stuff that in an overhead bin, but if the victims were just “regular” travelers, with normal equipment, why wouldn’t they keep them safe?  Just something to think about.  What do you do?

The brand new Passport Card is a handy little credit card sized passport.  It’s not good for travel everywhere, but it streamlines travel to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean when traveling by land or sea.  It is not acceptable for air travel.  It was created as a less-expensive and easier to carry form of identification for those living in border communities. 

Here are the differences between a Passport book and the Passport Card:  Passport Book:
Can be used for air, land, and sea travel, worldwide

$100 for adults

$85 for minors

$75 to renew

Passport Card

Can be used for land and sea crossings to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the
Caribbean only.

Wallet size (like a credit card)

$45 for adults

$35 for minors

$20 to renew

They are both good for 10 years for adults, 5 for minors (under 16). 

Now my own personal views. . . I’m sure that’s what you’ve been waiting for!   I’m not sure it’s worth it.  Why go through all the trouble to apply for a passport card when you can just get a passport?  I can see where it would be easier to carry, but is it that difficult to carry a passport book?  Where I can see it being useful is for those who it was intended for.  If you live in a community close to the Canadian or Mexican border, and you cross that border regularly, it would be useful.  Yes, it would be quite a bit easier to just stick a passport card in your wallet and have it handy for those trips across the border.  If that’s the reason for getting it, great, that makes sense. 

If you are planning on cruising to Mexico, Canada (all Alaskan cruises make a stop, start, or end in a Canadian port), the Caribbean, or Bermuda, you have the option of using a passport card.  I wouldn’t bother.  If you are 108 years old and this is the last trip you are ever going to take, maybe I’d suggest the card.  If you are 50 years old and you swear you are never going to go to Europe, Asia, or anywhere outside of North America, I don’t believe you.  Don’t ever give up the idea of traveling.

The card isn’t even good for air travel!  If you have to fly into Vancouver to catch that Alaskan cruise, you’ll need a passport book.  If you want to fly to Mexico to spend the weekend drinking margaritas in Cabo, you’ll need a passport book.  I suppose that I don’t see the point in spending $45 on something that really doesn’t get you anywhere.  That’s only my opinion of course.  I’d love to hear yours! 

Disclaimer:  I’d like to first point out that the following applies to U.S. citizens only.  If your status is other than citizen, please comment with specifics so I can answer your question, or contact proper agencies.  Please keep in mind that this information is valid as of this date (Oct. 27, 2008) and can change at any time.

Now that that business is out of the way, I can discuss passports.  I am asked about passports on a daily basis. One of the strangest questions I was asked was if a gentleman needed a passport to go to Oregon.  I asked him if he was a U.S. citizen and because he was I explained that a passport wasn’t required to travel within the 50 states.  I thought it was a silly question but really, I can understand the confusion. 

Currently a passport is required for travel to all other countries when traveling by air.  This includes Mexico and Canada.  Until June 1, 2009, if you plan to cross the border into Mexico or Canada by car, you are not required to have a passport.  You can still get away with a legal copy of your birth certificate and government issued photo I.D. 

Again, before June 1, 2009, if you are traveling by cruise ship to Canada or Mexico, you are legally not required to have a passport; however most cruise ships strongly request that you do.  Every cruise line is different so please check with your travel agent or cruise line for information, as some may actually require it.  Think about this:  What happens if you are in port in Puerto Vallarta (or insert any other foreign port) and you break your arm.  You are in the hospital getting it set when the ship sails.  You have to get back to the states on your own (hopefully you have travel insurance to help) and it’s a lot quicker to fly home than to drive.  You won’t be able to fly home without a passport or a lot of hassle. 

That’s just one example, but it could happen.  You should get a passport.  Go ahead and do it now.  It is currently around $100 plus the cost of your passport photo.  If you are over the age of 16, it is good for 10 years.  This is $10 a year!  That’s not a lot for the freedom to travel.  That’s what a passport is really.  It’s the freedom to travel. 

Tomorrow I’ll discuss the handy dandy Passport Card.  Go get your passport!

Hi!  Welcome to my brand spanking new blog!  I’m so excited about this one because it’s got a focus.  Instead of just my random thoughts.  I’ll probably ramble a bit here too but still, there’s a focus! 

I work in the travel buisness.  We are having a bit of a rough time out there right now and for all you travelers -or wanna be travelers - you know what I’m talking about.   My goal for this blog is to answer any travel related questions you might have.  I will also discuss current trends, good and bad, while relaying any travel news that come up.  If there’s nothing else to talk about, I’ll share my own experiences with you.  If I don’t have any experiences to share, well I work with a group of ladies who are always on the go and they always have something to share. 

I hope to post daily during the weekdays.  I might take the weekend off if only because when I’m away from work I don’t always know what is going on.   I’m hoping to hear from you about what concerns you have regarding travel.  I get questions daily ranging from passports, visas, airline regulations, cheap travel (what’s that?), how to pack, and how to say “thank you” in Hawaiian (it’s mahalo by the way).  You can help direct this blog by telling me what’s on your mind.  Have a wonderful day and happy travels!