Travel Clampdown - the US Government

[preiffer]

Well, they obviously don't want/need our money... [ii]

Full Story here

Seven demands tabled by Washington are contained in a 10-page 'memorandum of understanding' (MOU) that the US authorities are negotiating or planning to negotiate with all EU governments, according to ministers and diplomats from EU member states and senior officials in Brussels.

within months the US department of homeland security is to impose a new permit system for Europeans flying to the US, compelling all travellers to apply online for permission to enter the country before booking or buying a ticket, a procedure that will take several days.

So I guess that means the end of 'last minute sales'


What an utter bunch of idiots. [n]

I also saw the renewed calls for the several days in advance notices online - which kills short call business travel. I dare say that even with this there'll still be the surly immigration agents, queues, ten fingerprints, delays etc.

I have to also conclude, idiots, they do not know what damage they do to their country.

[RichardMannion]

What's that saying again, oh yes 'bolting the stable after the horse has bolted'.

Absolute muppets - maybe they forogt to scan down the P&L and look up how much 'tourism' brings to the US Economy.

It does make me laugh as the US's reasoning for is there are more terrorists coming through Europe to the US.

One needs to remember that the 9/11 flights were internal US flights. Surely they have to clean up their own backyard before dictating who can fly.

The times that I have been delayed because of an airport shutdown because of some idiotic (apologies to the senseable ones) American who thinks they're above everyone and don't have to submit to the security checks and run through the scanning area because they're late for their flight.[:(!]

Oh! I forgot it's the USA we're talking about![ii]

Well, its in the tree huggers and anti american daily, so it must be true eh? [:(!]

[fozzyo]

And there justification is? Ooh ooh ooh I know! To stop more pesky terrorists? What next blood and urine samples on entry?

Its clear they want to cease the visa waiver scheme and have everyone apply for a US visa via the Embassy!

The hits just keep on coming!![xx(]

It will interesting to see what happens when these procedures are put in to place and a new president is elected. As sky news reported at the weekend, some Americans might not tolerate certain person. (trying to be careful with what I write as a certain combination of words might get flagged up by 'The Company' or is it an urban myth)

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,, ... 79,00.html

Then they will have to look at themselves for the next batch of terrorists.

Originally posted by fozzyo
What next blood and urine samples on entry?

Ah, come on Fozz - that's just taking the p;ss.

[mitchja]

As already mentioned, I think this is just an excuse to end the Visa Waiver Scheme which they have been trying to stop for sometime now.

Regards

Very happy to give a urine sample at US imigration, those queues are soooo long.[i]

On a serious point about the Visa Wavier Scheme, do the EU have a similar scheme for the USA? Or do Americans have to have a visa?

It just beggars belief that the Yanks feel that this type of thing will prevent terrorism. If the terrorists of the world want to get into the US all they have to do is get to Mexico and cross the border there, just like the thousands of others that do each year.

Then again this all boils down to the fact that the US population voted in a complete muppet of a President TWICE. All we can hope for is that McCain doesnt get in this time round because this guy really scares the bejesus out of me.

Time to look a little closer to home instead of blaming the rest of the world for America's problems.

And to think I thought us Brits could be so insular!

I do remember for the last US elections that the BBC went to the US heartlands for their views on Bush and Iraq. The general consensus was that you don't change the Commander in Chief during the middle of a war as it's gives the troops in the battlezone the feeling that they're doing a job that their fellow countrymen think is wrong.

[mitchja]

Originally posted by DarkAuror
On a serious point about the Visa Wavier Scheme, do the EU have a similar scheme for the USA? Or do Americans have to have a visa?

The article preiffer posted mentions that if this does go ahead the EU will play tit-for-tat and introduce a similar scheme for US visitors.

If the Americans persevere in the proposed security crackdown, Brussels is likely to respond with tit-for-tat action, such as calling for visas for some Americans.

Regards

quote:
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Originally posted by DarkAuror

On a serious point about the Visa Wavier Scheme, do the EU have a similar scheme for the USA? Or do Americans have to have a visa?

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The article preiffer posted mentions that if this does go ahead the EU will play tit-for-tat and introduce a similar scheme for US visitors.


quote:
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If the Americans persevere in the proposed security crackdown, Brussels is likely to respond with tit-for-tat action, such as calling for visas for some Americans.
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[:I]Oops! That's what happens when you skim read the article!

At the end of the day, if it did go ahead and the EU responds, who will this affect more, The US airlines or the EU airlines?

My guess would be US airlines who are in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

[RichardMannion]

The same US airlines that went cap in hand to their government post 9/11 for money?

Maybe they should have done some random drug testing on the Senate.

But of course, the people who'll propose the new measures will disappear when Bush moves out and it will left to the new administration to sort the mess out.

Just imagine the Bush legacy, Got in to two wars with no resolution and killing off the US air industry.

The same US airlines that went cap in hand to their government post 9/11 for money?

Maybe they should have done some random drug testing on the Senate.

But did they inhale? [;)]

[Darren Wheeler]

I'll believe it when it's announced officially rather than through these unnamed sources. Anything out of the Garudian needs to be taken with a couple of lorry loads of the Dead Seas' finest.

Too much business and holiday money at stake here. Disney would certainly feel the effects as would the rest of Florida.

This close to a presidential election, anything like this will get killed on the 'Hill' with riders until the Democrats have a cabinet in place and all the business of government can restart.

Originally posted by mitchja
As already mentioned, I think this is just an excuse to end the Visa Waiver Scheme which they have been trying to stop for sometime now.

Regards

James, it's difficult to dispute the point, but equally indisputable is that not having a visa waiver scheme will cause a massive increase in bureaucracy for Embassy staff and be economical suicide for the US.

I suspect it's a bit of political posturing that will lead to an increase from the current 19 data items being processed via the PRN, and they may also get some of the data quicker than on the day of arrival.

Well, first of all, yes, all Americans are just idiots. And second, I know I'd rather leave the security of the country to the fine people on an airline website instead of the professionals -- after all, with all the attacks here in America and none in the UK, Spain or other places, we've shown ourselves to be complete and utter numpties in that regard!

Erm, wait...

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Well, first of all, yes, all Americans are just idiots. And second, I know I'd rather leave the security of the country to the fine people on an airline website instead of the professionals -- after all, with all the attacks here in America and none in the UK, Spain or other places, we've shown ourselves to be complete and utter numpties in that regard!

Erm, wait...

GJ

In the words of Billy Connolly, admittedly talking about Ronald Reagan having the authority to push the nuclear button (but it could equally apply to Bush)

'My father's ten years younger than him, but we won't give him the remote control for the TV.'

The prosecution rests it's case, m'lud [;)]

Oh, and we've got John Smeaton.

Sorry -- lost in translation.

GJ

GJ we have been and continue to live under the threat of attack exactly in the same way as our friends in the US. I suppose it's a matter of response to those threats and how the respective Governments decide to act to limit the risk.