WordCamp 2007
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You know, one thing I’ve always found gets me through customs (even when I’m carrying ID in Arabic with a name different from my own, no word of a lie) is saying I’m going to a Viggo Mortensen poetry reading. The immigration people just gasp and ask where and are there tickets left.
But then, I’ve only ever encountered gay or female immigration officers. But, seriously, it works. As in “no more questions, have a nice trip, NEXT”
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My attorney smiled for her passport once. She had no end to getting stopped and searched by customs when she flew into the States. Took the next picture with out the smile and never had an issue again.
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i know canadian passports don’t allow smiling. i can’t remember if the US just discourages it, or outright prohibits it.
passports are serious business, dontchaknow.
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It discourages it but when I went through my training on it, we were told to tell folks not to smile and to actually retake the picture if they did.
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No smiles in passport photo and no smiles through security screening. I travel back and forth to the US often and if you already have your shoes and belt off without a smile when you get into line, have your laptop in the case, have taken off all your metal objects and act like they have harrassed you before, it seems to work better than being friendly. Friendly people get harrassed. Welcome to border security.
Trent
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does smiling contort your face in such a way that if you were not smiling you are unrecognisable? i wouldn’t know, i haven’t had a passport ever.
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theoretically, yes. (as do shadows on the wall behind you, earings, and a host of other really bizarre things). and possibly reveals terrorist intent, i dunno.
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Mostly for biometrics:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-09-15-german-smiles_x.htm -
thanks sunburntkamel and ryannjenn. for my id, i actually get to smile, so we’re obviously not using biometrics id.
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If you’re Canadian you only need a passport if you’re intending to fly to the States. If you’re driving, it’s another year before you need a passport.
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As well as the belts and buckles and such-like, piercings can also set off the scanners, unless they’re gold. So don’t fly with them on or be prepared to explain them.
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Good grief! What a bother. BTW thanks for sharing that britgirl. I wouldn’t dream of driving. It would be too long and too uncomfortable when compared to taking a couple of airflights.
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Britgirl: what you said is technically correct, but inaccurate all the same. MOST of the border guards insist on passports anyway, because they’ll never get fired for turning back a foreigner.
I have been to the states several times since 9/11 and it’s been a pain in the ass each time, but the only time they held me for several hours and then turned me back was when I didn’t have my passport with me, and that was at one of the busiest border crossings on the 49th parallel. Surely someone there knew you don’t technically need a passport, but they didn’t see any reason not to train the Canadians that they needed it anyway.
The formerly close and informal relationship that Canada and the US have had, border-wise, is over. They’ve got armed Minutemen along the BC border now. It’s just another foreign country, now.
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GAWD…I knew None of those specifics…I knew things had gotten stupid, but I haven’t been to Canada or on a plane since before 9-11. I’ll probably never fly again. Europe: boat. US: train –car –bicycle, any thing but a plane.
I knew things were going to get ugly, when I saw Americans pour French wine down drains; when, in 2002, I read a tiny piece, in the back of a newspaper: Occupant had gotten Canadian government to sign an agreement they would return any American who went there to escape the military. Few people know about that…they lined up their ‘ducks’ –long before they invaded Iraq. Sixteen and half months: till we can air out the WH/get rid of the smell. NEVER imagined, I would be ashamed: I apologize.
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No need to apologize; we know this is the government, not the people. And Canada’s not enforcing that agreement: one of my neighbors was an AWOL US soldier who refused his fourth deployment to Iraq and crossed the border (the kid’s only 22). There was actually a draft dodger’s convention in Nelson not long ago, and plenty of AWOL soldiers turned up for it.
Also: One of the Minutemen shot himself in the leg and requested to cross the border to BC to get to the hospital there, but he didn’t have a passport. The Canadian officials took great pleasure in turning him away.
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Thanks, Rain. Watched him use “judges” –on No-longer supreme court, to get in the first time; receive more “votes” than registered voters, with electronic “vote” machines –documented (GAO Report to Congress; US Census Bureau Report on Registered Voters) the second time = he isn’t legit office-holder. Started one of my blogs because of those politics. But until one sees specifics –of his (and those who run him) vicious sick methods –re: ‘Patriot” Act of theft, Gitmo, torture, et al –on FRIENDS like Canada, it’s hard to know/take in… sickening. (I went out for a walk.)
>”One of the Minutemen shot himself…he didn’t have a passport…Canadian officials took great pleasure in turning him away”
Luv it! GREAT! The lawyer who used/turned it into No-longer supreme court to get his client inserted into Oval Office: one can not do such things –without paying the price. The Price: he was well-known, in DC, for love of his wife –the wife on one of the planes that suicided into NY’s Trade Tower. The Universe: extracts Perfect justice.But: there are people in the US who support, actually voted “for” –I’ve tangled with a few, right here on WP. So: how long till the world blames Americans…for what he’s done. Americans adore Brits, but our reputation now –they are now treated so badly –they wouldn’t come here??? Without going any farther into politics,
International WP Community:
if You WANT to, but Don’t travel to the US because of one stinking almost-neutered thug: he wins. Strike a Blow for Freedom! Show the bully-boys you aren’t affraid: Come to Word Camp! -
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