Security stickers they put on your passport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sxm
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Posts: 253
Security stickers they put on your passport
Hi,
I've noticed that before checking in for any intercontinental flight out of Europe, some goon always asks you stupid questions and then puts a sticker on your passport.
I don't have a problem with airlines hiring these people to make sure that no "weird" individual ends up on board (even though I do have a problem when their questions become a little too nosy). After all, if you look at the conditions you agreed with when you purchased your ticket, it is clearly stated that they reserve the right to deny transportation to anyone.
What annoys me is that the afore mentioned goons place those stickers on the outside of your passport without even asking if you mind. Well, I am of the strongest impressio. Than that the strong glue used on those stickers ruins the outside of my passport. That is why as soon as they place a sticker on my passport, I take it off, touch it a little to reduce the strengths of the glue and put it back on my passport not to have problems afterwards.
Where is it written that in order to be taken from point A to point B my passport has to be treated like that? Passports are usually property of their issuing governments and technically some governments have the right to "get upset" with their citizens if they mistreat government issued documents.
I know that to most of you this might sound as a really silly problem. However it really upsets me.
Does anyone share the same feeling?
I've noticed that before checking in for any intercontinental flight out of Europe, some goon always asks you stupid questions and then puts a sticker on your passport.
I don't have a problem with airlines hiring these people to make sure that no "weird" individual ends up on board (even though I do have a problem when their questions become a little too nosy). After all, if you look at the conditions you agreed with when you purchased your ticket, it is clearly stated that they reserve the right to deny transportation to anyone.
What annoys me is that the afore mentioned goons place those stickers on the outside of your passport without even asking if you mind. Well, I am of the strongest impressio. Than that the strong glue used on those stickers ruins the outside of my passport. That is why as soon as they place a sticker on my passport, I take it off, touch it a little to reduce the strengths of the glue and put it back on my passport not to have problems afterwards.
Where is it written that in order to be taken from point A to point B my passport has to be treated like that? Passports are usually property of their issuing governments and technically some governments have the right to "get upset" with their citizens if they mistreat government issued documents.
I know that to most of you this might sound as a really silly problem. However it really upsets me.
Does anyone share the same feeling?
#2
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This is rather commonly done by ICTS, a security contractor used for a good number of US airlines' flights to the US. Avoid flying US carriers to the US for the transatlantic portion and less sticky stuff or stickers on your passport from these persons.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
I am not quite as sensitive as some of the other posters. I just sheepishly accept the sticker issue as part of the security operation these days and periodically remove them.
Also, I have a tight, transparent plastic cover on the outside cover of the passport---something like a book cover. So when a sticker is attached, the item actually is adhering to the cover than the the passport itself.
Also, I have a tight, transparent plastic cover on the outside cover of the passport---something like a book cover. So when a sticker is attached, the item actually is adhering to the cover than the the passport itself.
#5
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People know I am a serious traveler by the fact that the back of my passport is entirely covered with these stickers. At first I tried to peel one off, but it started to tear the passport so I left it on. Now my passport cover is "protected" by all these stickers.
#6
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thanks!
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
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Posts: 3,081
Well, thanks for clearing up what ICTS means- never thought about it.
The stickers don't really bother me- I leave them on. My most annoying encounter with an airport "gatekeeper" was in Delhi. He looked askance at the taped pages on my passport. "What happened to your passport?" I explained that extra pages had been added, under seal, just as it said on the additional segment. "Are you stopping in Zurich or going on to Toronto?" (It was an AC flight.) "Stopping in Zurich for a few days." "Do you have a visa to enter Switzerland?"
Uhh... is this a trick question? Not with a US passport, I don't. After that he "allowed" me to proceed to check-in.
The stickers don't really bother me- I leave them on. My most annoying encounter with an airport "gatekeeper" was in Delhi. He looked askance at the taped pages on my passport. "What happened to your passport?" I explained that extra pages had been added, under seal, just as it said on the additional segment. "Are you stopping in Zurich or going on to Toronto?" (It was an AC flight.) "Stopping in Zurich for a few days." "Do you have a visa to enter Switzerland?"
Uhh... is this a trick question? Not with a US passport, I don't. After that he "allowed" me to proceed to check-in.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
Hi Aelx2k:
Sorry I do not recall for certain as I have had it almost 10 years (must renew in '08). This item is made of rather thick very clear plastic and is an exact, tight fit.
I believe the passport expeditor who I paid to acquire the passport on short notice for me applied the cover as part of the service. Remember, the item should be quite inexpensive but I do not know where to acquire one. Oh yes, I can assure you that the one I have has been quite durable as I use it often and treat it with abuse.
One thought--why not try passport service organizations in your area?
Good luck, I hope you find one as I think it will alleviate your problem.
Sorry I do not recall for certain as I have had it almost 10 years (must renew in '08). This item is made of rather thick very clear plastic and is an exact, tight fit.
I believe the passport expeditor who I paid to acquire the passport on short notice for me applied the cover as part of the service. Remember, the item should be quite inexpensive but I do not know where to acquire one. Oh yes, I can assure you that the one I have has been quite durable as I use it often and treat it with abuse.
One thought--why not try passport service organizations in your area?
Good luck, I hope you find one as I think it will alleviate your problem.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
I acquired a nice thick clear plastic cover a few weeks ago.
It came back along with my Passport and Brazil Visa
from an agency in Houston.
However, I am still using the Ostrich skin cover
that SQ gave out years ago !
It doesn't always work as intended, though....
checking in for AUS-CUN on AA recently,
the agent checking docs asked me
to take the passport out of the cover.
Then she stuck my baggage claim check
on the back of the passport !!
It is now VERY sticky.
It came back along with my Passport and Brazil Visa
from an agency in Houston.
However, I am still using the Ostrich skin cover
that SQ gave out years ago !
It doesn't always work as intended, though....
checking in for AUS-CUN on AA recently,
the agent checking docs asked me
to take the passport out of the cover.
Then she stuck my baggage claim check
on the back of the passport !!
It is now VERY sticky.
#10
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Posts: 102,095
I've got zero stickers from ICTS on my passport, for I remove them immediately after boarding usually. Sometimes I remove them before even going airside.
#11
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Please follow this thread in our Travel Safety/Security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, CoMod, TBuzz
#12
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Has anyone successfully told ICTS to "bugger off" when they start asking personal questions about your travel? Do they have the right to prevent you from traveling?
#13
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#14
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Bruce
#15
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I acquired a nice thick clear plastic cover a few weeks ago.
It came back along with my Passport and Brazil Visa
from an agency in Houston.
However, I am still using the Ostrich skin cover
that SQ gave out years ago !
It doesn't always work as intended, though....
checking in for AUS-CUN on AA recently,
the agent checking docs asked me
to take the passport out of the cover.
Then she stuck my baggage claim check
on the back of the passport !!
It is now VERY sticky.
It came back along with my Passport and Brazil Visa
from an agency in Houston.
However, I am still using the Ostrich skin cover
that SQ gave out years ago !
It doesn't always work as intended, though....
checking in for AUS-CUN on AA recently,
the agent checking docs asked me
to take the passport out of the cover.
Then she stuck my baggage claim check
on the back of the passport !!
It is now VERY sticky.
was in quasi-haiku format.
It made me happy.