Who is going to the USA, who has changed their travel and what will you do differently?

[Himeno]

I am really surprised they let you fly. Foreigners have needed a passport or US/Canadian drivers licence for as long as I can remember.

They don't require you to have a passport for a US domestic flight. It just makes it easier if you do Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint | Transportation Security Administration

 

[justinbrett]

They don't require you to have a passport for a US domestic flight. It just makes it easier if you do Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint | Transportation Security Administration

They don’t require a passport but there’s no acceptable alternative identification available to an Australian unless you hold a US/Canadian DL.

An Australian DL is not acceptable.

 

[RooFlyer]

Foreigners have needed a passport or US/Canadian drivers licence for as long as I can remember.

Doesn't seem to be the case, though - per mermal and human's experiences, and this, from the link provided by himeno:

 

[justinbrett]

Maybe faulty memory (I can relate to that) - as we have seen, that's not the case, as with mermal and human's experiences, and this, from the link provided by himeno:

View attachment 439418

That is the exception procedure. There’s no guarantee they’ll confirm your ID and you need to be able to explain why you don’t have it.

That said because rules are bent or not enforced on occasion doesn’t mean the rules don’t exist.

 

[Human]

That said because rules are bent or not enforced on occasion doesn’t mean the rules don’t exist.

“USA” and “rules” seem to have a very weird relationship sometimes. Which I suppose is the point of this whole thread.

 

[burmans]

“USA” and “rules” seem to have a very weird relationship sometimes. Which I suppose is the point of this whole thread.

New rules every week, it seems.

 

[DC3]

There’s no guarantee they’ll confirm your ID and you need to be able to explain why you don’t have it.

Exactly. Some of our fellow-AFFers seem to be a bit playful tonight.

 

[Human]

Exactly. Some of our fellow-AFFers seem to be a bit playful tonight.

The phrase “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry” comes to mind…

 

[jrfsp]

Visitor numbers from Ireland to US down 27% last month

Visitor numbers from Ireland to the United States fell by almost 27% in March compared to the same month last year, US figures show.

www.rte.ie

Pretty interesting numbers - huge drop in Europeans flying to the US.

“This week it was also announced that US immigration authorities would look at social media accounts and deny visas or residence permits to people who post content considered anti-Semitic by US President Donald Trump's administration.”

 

[kangarooflyer88]

When I was in the USA in January I flew domestically three times. The first two times I just showed my passport. On the third occasion I kept my passport in my bag and decided to find out how they’d react to my showing my Australian drivers licence. The TSA officer let me through with a smile. This was at DCA.

The DHS has a list of acceptable IDs for travel. One thing that should be pointed out is that trusted traveller cards issued by the U.S. like Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI can be used for identification purposes. Indeed, I’ve even used my Nexus card to board flights between Canada and the U.S.

 

[RooFlyer]

That is the exception procedure. There’s no guarantee they’ll confirm your ID and you need to be able to explain why you don’t have it.

Exactly. But they are explicitly saying you don't need a (foreign) passport (as in "no passport, no travel, full stop"). Even with a passport there is no guarantee of proceeding!!

 

[RooFlyer]

An Australian DL is not acceptable.

Except on occasions, it seems (per human).

 

[justinbrett]

Exactly. But they are explicitly saying you don't need a (foreign) passport (as in "no passport, no travel, full stop"). Even with a passport there is no guarantee of proceeding!!

Sure, but that’s like saying McDonalds is free.

You just have to make your case with the cashier and make alternative arrangements, relying on their goodwill.

Honestly, arguing for arguments sake. The TSA has a list of acceptable IDs and the Australian DL isn’t on it. Move on.

 

[jrfsp]

United States records sharpest drop in Australian visitors since COVID

As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on border security, more Australians appear to be avoiding the US.

www.abc.net.au

flight cuts cant be far off, who will blink first

 

[kiwitripper64]

I just had a vision of a plane load of supporters ( possibly tipsy ) arriving into Las Vegas for the Rugby League opening round 2026. Imagine the CBP discussion
CBP Hello, why are you here?
Bruce To see the bunnies get smashed
CBP Sorry, what?
Bruce Its the league mate, Those bunnies are Easter eggs
CBP Sorry sir, does anyone in your group speak American?

 

[justinbrett]

United States records sharpest drop in Australian visitors since COVID

As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on border security, more Australians appear to be avoiding the US.

www.abc.net.au

flight cuts cant be far off, who will blink first

Wait for more than one data point before jumping to conclusions.

March 2024 was Easter holidays, it’s later this year. March 24 had a 9.3% increase year on year for QF services to the US, similar for AA, while UA & DL increased by over 20% due to new routes. So March 24 was a pretty good month. We always have a travel slump between Australia Day and Easter.

Looking at the raw data from the US (note they record Feb/Mar as only preliminary), the arrivals for Mar 25 was only a 1% drop from Feb 24, and Feb 25 was an increase from Feb 24. So I really don't think you can make anything from it at this point - it may end up being a true statement but none of the objective facts available right now can support it with any substantiality.

No doubt there is a reduction from Canadians and Mexicans due to the tariffs announced much earlier, and the comments about the 51st state, but that was localised to those two countries. The recent global actions are too recent to be measured in any stats available right now.

 

[Phoenix-1]

Really interesting how deep some people's denialism runs in this thread. I wonder if they're simply trolling.

Given the non-zero chance of ending up in an El Salvador prison purely from an administration error with no recourse, I personally wouldn't risk it.

 

[RooFlyer]

CBP Sorry sir, does anyone in your group speak American?

I was once challenged by a CPB equiv guy after I presented my passport at immigration:

How do I know that you’re really an Australian?

My reply: “Well I’ve got my Vegemite here” was met with “pass”

But it was a few years ago now.

 

[RooFlyer]

Honestly, arguing for arguments sake. The TSA has a list of acceptable IDs and the Australian DL isn’t on it. Move on.

I’m sorry, when you make a dogmatic statement (“An Australian DL is not acceptable”) that is demonstrably not the case, you should expect it to be challenged.

The issue being discussed isn’t whether it’s listed or not. Per the above, It’s whether it’s accepted, and obviously sometimes they do find an Australian drivers licence an acceptable form of ID.

Point made, happy to move on.

 

[justinbrett]

I’m sorry, when you make a dogmatic statement that is demonstrably not the case, you should expect it to be challenged.

As it’s been shown here, sometimes they do find an Australian drivers licence an acceptable form of ID, listed or not.

Point made, happy to move on.

No, it’s important not to mislead others. Australian DLs are not acceptable IDs. There is a procedure that may allow you travel without acceptable ID - although it specifically says you will not be allowed to proceed if you choose not to provide acceptable ID.

If they follow the exception procedure that does not make your DL acceptable, that is them using alternate means to confirm your identity in exceptional circumstances. It's not a choice you can make because you don't feel like getting your passport out.

The account from @Murmal I think shows perfectly clear TSA were not happy at the situation and it could have just as easily led to denied boarding. Even then the user was asked to provide additional ID, so clearly the DL wasn't acceptable.