One thing to think about when travelling (particularly abroad) is that one should "prepare for the worst".

Mexico is not a place known for its consistent applications of laws. If it indeed would have subjected the airline to a fine had your ID not been good enough, then they were right to do what they did. The agent might have been nicer, though.

First, get a passport. Now.

Second, married women are not the only ones who change their names. I am a man, and my last name differs from that I was born with.

I was born to a couple that split up. At birth I was given last name A- the name of my biological father.

As it turned out, my biological father's only contriubution to my upgringing wound up being my Y chromosome. He had virtually nothing to do with me thereafter.

My mother never used his name after I was born. In fact, she married and divorced 3 other times. When I was first enrolled in school, my mother was married to another man, whose last name I was assigned upon my enrollment in school. A few years later, she divorce him also. I refused to change my name again, so I stuck with that one.

I stuck with it for a while after that- I went through public schools, college, law school, the bar exam and numerous jobs (I got a social security number with last name B on it, somehow). My passport had my birth name one it, though, as when I got it originally, my mom took the easy route and just used the name on my birth certificate.

This became a problem when I ticketed an international trip two years ago, and then discovered that my expired passport hd my "old" never used name on it. Getting a new passport with my "new name" on it was NOT EASY, but I did it.

My point is this- had I shown up as a man, in Mexico with my birth certificate and driver's license with different last names, with no proof of having my name changed, I would be SHOCKED if they didn't turn me away. I'd be a moron for not bringing them proof of name change.

Say your name is Mary Jones, and your husband's name is Bob Jones. But your birth name is Mary Smith.

It's not too hard to get a certified copy of someone's birth certificate with your first name. It doesn't mean you are a citizen just because you have some birth certificate with you. It's common sense, and I'm suprised that it isn't more commonly enforced.

When you go to get your passport, you will note that they will want some proof of your name change, not just your word.

My 3-year old son and I had a similar experience. My wife was in Cancun on business so we decided to fly down to meet her. I wasn't aware of the need to have a notarized letter from my wife to fly my son out of country. I had asked the CO CSR who booked my flight if everything was ok. I wasn't told that I had to do the letter. We took the flight from AUS to IAH but could not get a notarized letter in time to make our IAH to Cancun flight. A CO manager at IAH was very helpful in putting us on a later flight after we received a notarized letter faxed directly from my wife to his office. It cost my wife over $250 for the letter. We discovered that notaries in Mexico are attorneys and charge high prices for notary services (at least that is what we were told). I was actually told by the CO CSR who booked our flight to have a passport for my son as sometimes there are "issues" with birth certificates. Lessons learned http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This is really why you should have a passport. I am an immigration attorney and I can tell you many horror stories of people who try to travel on birth certificates and a photo ID. It just leads to lots of troubles that can easily be avoided.

From a legal point of view, there was really no clear way for CO to verify who you said you were. The birth certificate listed your maiden name. The DL contained your married name. The easy way to resolve it would have been to also carry a copy of your marriage license. This of course, leads to the question of whether you have been divorced. If so, a copy of your divorce decree might be necessary as well. A passport resolves all of these issues.

Security aside, this is a very important issue for the airlines. If an airline transports a passenger who does not not have proper identification/entry documents they are fined and are responsible for the cost of lodging and return transportation to the point of embarkation. This fine is usually many times the value of the passenger's fare. Mexico is extremely difficult in this regard.

Save yourself the headaches in the future. Apply for a passport by mail. You can download the application form at http://www.travel.state.gov.

Jeff

Certainly the agent should have been polite and if that was not the case, you have a legitimate complaint. However, the agent was well grounded in her concern. There is simply no way to relate your driver license to your birth certificate with something (i.e. your marriage certificate) that shows your maiden name. However, Mexico will also accept a notarized affidavit of the facts of your birth in lieu of this, which is exactly what CO provided you. It sounds a bit to me like you may have taken a "know-it-all" attitude with the agent and perhaps this contributed to her surliness.

In any case, travelling to another country without a passport is just not a good idea. A few countries allow it to promote tourism, but a passport is always better.

Mexico's regulations concerning US citizens haven't changed much in many years, including the children travelling with one parent need a notarized letter. This law exists, btw, to keep American parents from fleeing to mexico with their child to preven the other parent from obtaining custody.

While the agent didn't have to be so brusque/sarcastic, at the same time you should know better yourself in this time of paranoia to make life easier for yourself (if no one else) by making sure you have the right ID, plus backup.

I can completely understand the agent's exasperation at a travel who presents no passport while on an int'l itinerary (knowing that Mexico's requirements change so capriciously is all the more reason to have one), especially in the post 9-11 climate.

Nowadays is not the time to be testing theories on workarounds in the air travel arena. I think you kind of brought this hassle upon yourself.

[This message has been edited by Beef or Chicken? (edited 05-09-2002).]

FACT: I have traveled to Mexico 3 times during the past 2 years--and always with my birth certificate and driver's license--each time on CO---and never had a problem until this past trip.

Upon arrival in Mexico you are asked to produce EITHER your passport OR birth certificate along with the customs forms. NOTHING MORE.

The GA was out of line--I was not rude although visibly shaken by her remarks and demeanor. If I had waited to board the plane before collecting the customs forms, the stewardess would have just given them to me--no questions asked. I have written to CO, and await a reply.

It's no wonder that the planes are half empty these days.I don't think the cause is fear. Perhaps the general public prefers other means of transportation to paying a lot of money to be treated like a common criminal. The airlines are not doing a good job with security when they pick on mainly the "55 and over crowd"---and the real criminals slip through. ( I have seen really old people pulled aside for random checks, time and time again---and these people are even lucky they can make it onto the plane!)
Oh, and here's another thought: What about the real "bad guy" who feigns a broken limb? He could have plastic explosives hidden in his "cast". I know the airlines will check any boots covering the casts---what about the cast itself???

For travel within the 48 continental states, I'm thinking of taking some extra time and going the old-fashioned RR---perhaps seeing some sights along the way. And so, there'll be another vacant seat on the plane.

Just pay the $45 and get a friggin passport!

I realize the "rules" say X, Y and Z, but post 9-11 you need a passport to make your leisure travel more enjoyable. I speak fluent Spanish but wouldn't even think of convincing a Mexican Immigration Officer that my Driver's License and Birth Certificate were sufficient to grant me entry to the country if he says "NO", no matter what is posted on the Mexican Embassy Site.

Should you decide to do so, be sure to make two copies of it. One to keep at home, and another to take with you (on your person while out, in Mexico) in case it is stolen or lost.

[This message has been edited by LLZ (edited 05-13-2002).]

I once tried to cross into San Diego from Tijuana with my Uncle. He was denied entry because he only had his DL and SS card on him. I had to go home to San Diego and pick up his passport so that he may re-enter the USA from Mexico. In this case it was the US officials who were picky. He was denied entry to the USA, he was born in Scotland, his last name was Smith, and he lived in the US for 40 years - it means nothing - Bring your Passport.

They are really tightening up--particularly if you have an accent. My parents are from Eastern Europe and wouldn't dream of travelling without a U.S. passport--even for something as simple as a Tijuana border crossing.

Apparently a voter registration card is sufficient with a photo ID. SS card still isn't a proof of citizenship--go figure. . . .



[This message has been edited by tvx (edited 05-14-2002).]

All non-immigrant visa holders (other than tourist or business) are required to have Social Security Cards. Hence, one needn't be a US citizen to get one.

Mexican and Canadian citizens dependent upon a US taxpayer for financial support (support as defined by IRS regulations) can get a SSN for the foreign dependent for tax purposes. That way the US taxpayer can claim the foreign dependent on their federal tax return. When my mother-in-law, who is a Mexican citizen, visited us one summer, we went to the local social security administration office with her passport and visa, filled out an application, and she had her social security card within 4 weeks. It is overprinted "NOT AUTHORIZED FOR EMPLOYMENT" but otherwise it is a regular nine digit SSN.

Considering all the difficulty people all over the world go through to get a visa to enter the USA, and also considering the people who risk their lives to enter the USA illegally, it seems to me that anyone entitled to have a U.S. passport and thus instantly eliminate any question or difficulty upon re-entry to the United States as to their right to do so, would run, not walk, to get that passport.

Years ago, my mother was treated the same way by an AA agent when we were traveling to St. Maarten because her maiden name on her birth certificate did not match her driver's license. The agent's demeanor is what bothered us more than anything. The way she spoke to us did make us wonder if it was our race that was bothering her, not my mother's documents. I realize that rules change, but we had made the exact same trip for several years in a row with the same credentials with no problems. Saying things in a nasty tone certainly does not help this type of situation. Rather than calling someone to give her a notarized statement, she just informed my mother than she was at risk of not being allowed into the country. We went anyway, and had no issues. On our return, my mother got a passport.

I felt a similar situation was handled much better by a NW agent when somehow I had lost half of my voter's registration card when leaving for a cruise. He kindly informed me that I may have trouble with the document, and that he would call someone to give me a notarized statement. It was all handled very pleasantly giving me a nice send off on my vacation.

Because of that instance with AA and a few other ones (one with the same agent), I now no longer fly AA. I also have a passport now, it just makes things easier in the long run.

------------------
mylez2go
DTW
Worldperks/HHonors
Agreed to the voluntary TCC Rules


Edited for typo

[This message has been edited by mylez2go (edited 05-14-2002).]

I have been advised in NY at a Post Office that my South African passport and South African driver's licence with photo in it was not sufficient proof of ID.

Brooklyn, NY circa 1993.

------------------
Continental Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
NorthwestAirlines
Virtual Airline Management Group