Do you have a passport?

[Lautremont]

I recently heard that, like, only eight percent of Americans actually have a passport. I'm sure the reasons for this range across the board, but I'm kind of curious about them.

I don't have a passport because:

[tk2kewl]

1. Other: I have a passport...

sans the thank you. :P

[eyepaddle]

2. I have one. and

it's been used too--although not in a couple of years.

[azmouse]

3. I've never gotten one but I probably will this year.

Growing up, my family was too poor even for vacations within the US, forget about going overseas. So the few times when I've been traveling I've wanted to see things within the US. But I'm not a big traveler. I can find a lot to keep me busy and active in my own backyard.

[grace0418]

4. Heck yeah. Although I have to get it renewed this year. Thank you for

reminding me. If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

[Coventina]

5. I've applied for one, haven't heard back yet.

Of course, I left it too long and now I'm going to have one with the "big brother" chips in it.

:argh:

[edbermac]

6. Yes; went to London and Paris in Oct/Nov 1992

Remembered reading the papers in Paris as I was following the elections back home and was so thrilled when the Big Dog won!

Of course if I was in Paris SIX years ago, I'd still be there until 2008. :grr:

[mentalsolstice]

7. Yep!

Got one several years ago to go to Ireland (unfortunately the trip was scrapped). I had to use it for Canada (Banff/Calgary) this Christmas, and it looks like next Christmas too (Newfoundland/Labrador, hopefully).

[Critters2]

8. It's expired, and I'm told it's a pain in the ass to get it renewed

these days, what with all the national security crap. Anyone know if this is true?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. I renewed mine after it expired.

No hassle at all, same as a non-expired renewal.

In fact, it expired while I was out of the country. No problem re-entering anyway.

[supernova]

20. Thanks for that

I'm in the same situation. I'd love to get mine renewed soon.


I'm thinking about taking more trips in the next 5 years or so.

[Critters2]

23. Good to know! Thanks!! nt

[qnr]

9. We both do n/t

[NewJeffCT]

10. That reminds me

my passport expires next year (2008)

I've used mine to go to China, Aruba & the Turks & Caicos.

[stuntcat]

11. other, mine expired in '04

and I haven't gone out of the US since 1999, and anyway I lost it (but not til after I scanned the picture tehe)

[stirlingsliver]

12. I Need To Get Mine Renewed

I need to get mine renewed.

You never know when it might be necessary (or advisable) to leave the country in a hurry.

[terrya]

14. I just applied for one.

Oh dear God, are my passport photos horrible.

I thought it was long past overdue to get one.

[alarimer]

15. I think I will get one soon

I will need it if I ever go to Mexico and, since I am interviewing for a job in Brownsville soon, I might as well get one.

[Chan790]

16. I have a passport...

It's my primary form of ID.

I don't travel actually...my parents worked for Pratt & Whitney; one as an engineer and one as an inspector, both periferally assigned to engine reconstruction. The things I know about jet engines and the fantastic ways they fail would keep even the most hearty daredevil from ever flying again. I don't drive though and the fee for a passport isn't much higher than a non-driver ID in CT but has about 3 times the validity period.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. This is like voting for me.

I can't imagine not having a passport like I can't imagine not voting.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. I have one and I'm about to use it.

I'm off to Amsterdam next week.

[yvr girl]

19. Does maybe go under other?

I have a passport somewhere,in a safe place. Not exactly sure of its location. I also can't remember if it expires this year of next...or perhaps last year.

But I'm Canadian, so I don't want to throw of your scientific research.

[Awsi Dooger]

21. I have a slightly battered passport

I forgot to take it out of my windbreaker last year after returning from a trip and washed it. I think more than once. It was a sloppy mess and I thought I needed a replacement, but luckily it dried well when I put some phone books on it to restore the flat shape. It was curved coming out of the washer.

I'll use it again on a cruise next month, my first trip to Hawaii. NCL seems to require passports, at least based on my cruise to Alaska in 2005.

[MedleyMisty]

22. Wow, must be nice

having the money and the vacation time to go out of the country.

[GOPisEvil]

24. I carry one as proof of citizenship.

It's much easier than carrying my naturalization certificate. I've never used the passport, except as proof of citizenhip going into and out of Canada and Mexico. I have no visas stamped.

[reyd reid reed]

25. I don't have one...

but mostly because I just don't need one. I don't really travel, except the occasional trip to Denver or Nebraska. Gone to SoCal a couple of times. Don't need passports for those.

I've gotta go next week and apply for one for Bonehead, though. He's supposed to go to Japan this summer and it might help just a teeeeeeeny bit if he's got a passport.

Y'think?

:P

(edited because, even though it only takes a day to drive to Nebraska, I wouldn't call it a 'day trip'....)

[fizzgig]

26. i do

and the picture is the absolute worst picture ever taken of a person. unfortunately, i won't be able to use it any time soon

[Kat45]

27. Nope. Never had a need for one.

When I was a kid, if we had a vacation, it was just a few days at a beach in a neighboring state, at the farthest. Even as an adult, I've never had the money for vacations abroad. I also don't like to travel; I hate flying. The times I went to Canada, passports were not needed. The way things are now, I may have to get one in the near future.

[NewWaveChick1981]

28. I have one.

Got my first one in 1977 when I went to Italy (I was 14). I've kept it renewed ever since, although I have only used it once since that Italy trip. My mother, my brother, and I went to the UK in 2000 and stayed for ten days. :)

[bikebloke]

29. I always keep one up to date.

My current version isn't as stamped and battered as previous ones. The phony security pantomime at the airports eats up a lot of precious holiday time. Plus, with hard times coming, I'd better save my money to be on the safe side.

It's good to have in case becoming a refugee becomes a necessity.

[datasuspect]

30. i have two

U.S. and U.K.

i'm a dual national.

[carly denise pt deux]

31. I applied for one 2 months ago and still do not have it

I hope they hurry up and send it soon.
Carly

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. Have to renew it

It expired yesterday.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear Lautremont......

I have one, and I'm going to use it this year!

My husband and I are travelling with a group to the Czech Republic, and Germany!

Our last trip was back in 2005; we went to the Eastern Mediteranean!

Jet lag sucks, but it is fun seeing new places.......

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[Lautremont]

37. It's well worth it! (as I'm sure you know.)

Travel is the best education ever. Have a wonderful trip!

[Jimbo S]

34. One on the way as we speak.

[Hand]

35. I've got two.

US and Canadian, since I'm a dual citizen. Comes in handy in customs lines--just use the passport for the shorter line. :hi:

[Generic Brad]

36. Mine is expired

I haven't left the country in over a decade and don't plan to leave anytime soon.

[GoneOffShore]

38. Just renewed it last year

We go abroad at least 3 times a year. Mostly France. I'd move there if I could.

[lutefisk]

39. For me, my partner (no, I'm not a lawyer), & two young children

We intended to keep them in our "escape bag" along with the roll of hundreds, but can't seem to find either of those things at the moment...

[deadparrot]

40. Yep, from my trip to Italy in 2003.

:hi:

[ForrestGump]

41. Two -- one US and one from my natal land

Both expired (the non-US one many years ago). I've been meaning to renew them but haven't got around to it yet...it's been three years since I was (living) overseas.

I filled my US one up completely just before it expired, anyway.

The non-US one suddenly seemed a good idea to renew once the neocons invaded Iraq and otherwise went fully off the deep end. Gives me a handy escape route, too.