It happens to everyone.

On the inaugral flight of Virgin Atlantic to India, the flamboyant owner, Richard Branson, was on-board to wave the flag as he always does.

Apparrently, the visa in his passport had expired. Now you dont exactly ask the chairman of the airline for his plane ticket and passport at check-in do you?

VS ground staff had to secure him an "airline crew visa" so he could enter the country. I'm sure he helped served the champagne to invited guests on the special flight as is his style. And he does work for the airline after all.

I believe that only 10% of US citizens actually have a passport (FT'er aside) so knowledge about overseas visa requirements cannot be wide spread