Flying without a passport
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dog house usually
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying without a passport
Hi,
I recall once being told that for standard schedule international flights the carriage of a passport wasn't necessary if one had a valid company ID and license; particularly if one is not deplaning and is merely turning around and going back to ones home base. Obviously the carriage of a passport is preferred.
I ask as I was wondering how one gets around the renewing the passport, which can take a few weeks.
Any thoughts?
I recall once being told that for standard schedule international flights the carriage of a passport wasn't necessary if one had a valid company ID and license; particularly if one is not deplaning and is merely turning around and going back to ones home base. Obviously the carriage of a passport is preferred.
I ask as I was wondering how one gets around the renewing the passport, which can take a few weeks.
Any thoughts?
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
You might get away with it, but what if the a/c goes tech enroute? You'll be stuffed, and your company will be unimpressed.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: If this is Tuesday, it must be?
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are two answers to this:
1. It depends where you're flying. If you're an EU citizen within the EU, then you don't need a passport to travel, just "suitable identification". The practical problem is that for Brits with (as yet) no government issue ID card it can be hard to persuade customs etc that you have anything they regard as suitable.
2. It depends how long ago you were told this. My first CPL had a photograph on it and a paragraph stating that it had the privileges of a passport. You then didn't in theory need to carry a passport, but in practice had the same problem as above. The Home Office removed this privilege some decades ago now, so the CAA removed the requirement to have a photo on your licence just in time for all sorts of security stuff to bring in the requirement to always have photo ID. Great!
1. It depends where you're flying. If you're an EU citizen within the EU, then you don't need a passport to travel, just "suitable identification". The practical problem is that for Brits with (as yet) no government issue ID card it can be hard to persuade customs etc that you have anything they regard as suitable.
2. It depends how long ago you were told this. My first CPL had a photograph on it and a paragraph stating that it had the privileges of a passport. You then didn't in theory need to carry a passport, but in practice had the same problem as above. The Home Office removed this privilege some decades ago now, so the CAA removed the requirement to have a photo on your licence just in time for all sorts of security stuff to bring in the requirement to always have photo ID. Great!
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Strathaven Airfield
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
What to do while it is off being renewed?
In the old days as a journalist, I had two passports. Then while one was off being renewed/getting visas etc etc I used the other.
Also watched which countries put their stamps in which passports - ie Israel/Turkey/Cyprus etc
Passport Office has a helpline, give them a call,
Very best,
XA
ps. Of course, some journos had an Irish as well as a UK passport (easy to do if you can find just one distant Irish relative!) But Irish passports - while being fine if you want to be "non-British" in troubled parts of the world - used to cost about double the price of UK ones.
What to do while it is off being renewed?
In the old days as a journalist, I had two passports. Then while one was off being renewed/getting visas etc etc I used the other.
Also watched which countries put their stamps in which passports - ie Israel/Turkey/Cyprus etc
Passport Office has a helpline, give them a call,
Very best,
XA
ps. Of course, some journos had an Irish as well as a UK passport (easy to do if you can find just one distant Irish relative!) But Irish passports - while being fine if you want to be "non-British" in troubled parts of the world - used to cost about double the price of UK ones.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The last comment has just reminded me, it is still possible to have 2 passports if you have a justifiable reason. Perhaps you should renew yours and think about getting another in a few years, so the renewal dates will be offset and you'll never be without a valid passport. As the previous poster mentions, this has some advantages if you travel regularly, for example, to Isreal & some of the Arab states in the mdidle east, can hide certain stamps from certain countries immigration officials then 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AEP
Age: 80
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Other passport(s) -
Funny is - I have 3 passports - but from 3 different countries.
xxx
Might be convenient, but also creates problems...
I have a Belgian passport (EU) as I was born in Belgium.
Then I got a US passport by immigration to that country.
Finally got an Argentina passport, again by immigration.
xxx
I fly for Aerolineas Argentinas. Generally to Europe, occasionally to USA.
As crewmember, very few problems getting though immigration.
Except USA of course.
xxx
In Madrid or Rome, we pass through crew immigration, get waved through.
For USA, same crew immigration... but each passport is closely checked.
Crew visa, etc... To avoid all that, in Miami, I use my US Passport.
xxx
Some 3 years ago, I took a few weeks leave to do a contract.
Ferry 4 airplanes from Texas to Russia.
So I arrived with my crew in Miami, on an Argentina flight.
Then we take a US domestic flight to Texas. I buy our tickets with cash.
One way tickets... Going through TSA Security.
With me, my flight case. Boeing manuals, earphones, airline ID card.
xxx
TSA are sharp people (some are even high school graduates).
Me, blond hair guy, T-shirt and jeans, conversing in Spanish with 2 others.
Open my bag... aviation equipment, airline ID and... my 3 passports.
Some with Arab visas, even Afghanistan. Something terribly suspect here...
xxx
My wallet is searched. Various IDs and credit cards, quite a bit of cash.
Pilot licences... oh, my God, I am going to crash on Disneyworld.
Or worse, crash a 747 on Elvis Presley's Graceland.
The TSA goons call their supervisor. The 3 of us are being held.
I was the prime suspect. Concerns that we will miss our flight.
They call immigration (which is in another building)...
Two armed airport security officers were called to assist.
We were subject to a complete body search. Complete.
Finally cleared, after being held about 45 minutes.
xxx
So, hide the "other passport(s)" when you travel with more than one.
xxx
Happy contrails
xxx
Might be convenient, but also creates problems...
I have a Belgian passport (EU) as I was born in Belgium.
Then I got a US passport by immigration to that country.
Finally got an Argentina passport, again by immigration.
xxx
I fly for Aerolineas Argentinas. Generally to Europe, occasionally to USA.
As crewmember, very few problems getting though immigration.
Except USA of course.
xxx
In Madrid or Rome, we pass through crew immigration, get waved through.
For USA, same crew immigration... but each passport is closely checked.
Crew visa, etc... To avoid all that, in Miami, I use my US Passport.
xxx
Some 3 years ago, I took a few weeks leave to do a contract.
Ferry 4 airplanes from Texas to Russia.
So I arrived with my crew in Miami, on an Argentina flight.
Then we take a US domestic flight to Texas. I buy our tickets with cash.
One way tickets... Going through TSA Security.
With me, my flight case. Boeing manuals, earphones, airline ID card.
xxx
TSA are sharp people (some are even high school graduates).
Me, blond hair guy, T-shirt and jeans, conversing in Spanish with 2 others.
Open my bag... aviation equipment, airline ID and... my 3 passports.
Some with Arab visas, even Afghanistan. Something terribly suspect here...
xxx
My wallet is searched. Various IDs and credit cards, quite a bit of cash.
Pilot licences... oh, my God, I am going to crash on Disneyworld.
Or worse, crash a 747 on Elvis Presley's Graceland.
The TSA goons call their supervisor. The 3 of us are being held.
I was the prime suspect. Concerns that we will miss our flight.
They call immigration (which is in another building)...
Two armed airport security officers were called to assist.
We were subject to a complete body search. Complete.
Finally cleared, after being held about 45 minutes.
xxx
So, hide the "other passport(s)" when you travel with more than one.
xxx
Happy contrails
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southeast U K
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ref passport problems.
In the 1960's we could hold a full UK passport, but could also buy
an annual British Visitors passport from the Post Office!
Very handy for visiting anywhere "Dodgy".
Please bring them back
an annual British Visitors passport from the Post Office!
Very handy for visiting anywhere "Dodgy".
Please bring them back
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Age: 67
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since 9/11 it is tough to enter the US without having your passport scanned. On the other hand, true you might be doing a Central America turn and break...it would really blow to have to send the night at the airport because you could not enter the country.
Regards,
Greg
Regards,
Greg
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Been round the world and many countries, never even had to show my passport to get in or out of airside. 
We have recently (since we took over BMED) started flying to a lot of new places and one thing I have noticed is that most of them (places like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran etc) are not the slightest bit interested in seeing your ID, they only want to see your passport and the gen. dec. My impression is that you would not be allowed entry without a valid passport even if you are operating crew with an ID. I have never shown, or been asked for, my ID in any of these countries. Total opposite of many other places who only want to see your ID.
