Most on board with new passport regulations

Travelers were greeted by more than just the usual patrol agents as they entered the country last Tuesday, Jan. 23, due to new passport rules. The regulations require travelers to show a valid passport to border patrol officers upon entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.

Currently, the regulation only applies to those traveling via airplane. In January 2008, land and sea travelers will also be required to show a passport upon entering the states.

Congress adopted the regulations in 2004 as a means to tighten border security from possible terrorist threats, with the provision that they be implemented by 2007.

The only possible substitutions for a U.S. passport are a NEXUS Air card, used by some American and Canadian frequent flyers; identification as a U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner; or the green card carried by legal permanent residents. Active members of the U.S. military will not need passports either.

In preparation for the Jan. 23 implementation, airports planned for the possible confusion and genuine mistakes that could occur. In actuality, problems were rare.

The world's busiest airport, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, in Atlanta, Ga., reported no problems by midday, according to the Associated Press. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman Susan Shattuck told the AP, "I think we're looking at 100 percent compliance."

While few travelers were actually reported as being left stranded, border patrol used the last week as more of an adjustment period.

Border patrol has allowed U.S. citizens without passports to pass through, handing down a stern warning and a passport application, which is fitting considering only about a quarter of American citizens currently own a valid passport.

These travelers had their names entered into the Customs and Border Protection's computer and may not be as lucky the next time they venture into neighboring countries without their passport ready.

As for travel agencies, there have been no reported problems. This has also been reported by several airlines.

Canada has also reported minimal hassle, considering 96 percent of Canadians and 94 percent of U.S. citizens already carry their passport for air travel, according to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff.

Representatives of Alan Hochman Tours Inc., in Providence told The Cowl that clients have had no problem thus far with the change in regulations.

They explained that their clients generally have all the necessary documentation before they embark on their trip.

Providence's Cardoso Travel also told The Cowl that there have been no complications in travel for their clients.

To make things smoother for vacation -goers, select resorts in the Caribbean and the Bahamas have offered special deals to accommodate and even pay for the additional passport costs.

Certain resorts on Nassau Paradise Island have offered to reimburse travelers for the cost of passports for families of four if they travel before March 31, and stay a minimum of two nights.

SuperClubs resorts, located throughout the Caribbean and Brazil, are offering to reimburse passport fees-up to $97 for a new one and $67 for a renewal, by crediting it toward a stay at their resort.