Looks like airports are going to be seeing a little more than your underpants, since eventually over 2000 of the nation's airports will be replacing metal detectors with body-scanners that can see through your clothing.  You've probably heard of these scanners before...they can see your body parts very clearly.






"Body-scanning machines that show images of people underneath their clothing are being installed in 10 of the nation's busiest airports in one of the biggest public uses of security devices that reveal intimate body parts.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently started using body scans on randomly chosen passengers in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Albuquerque and at New York's Kennedy airport.

Airports in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas and Miami will be added this month. Reagan National Airport in Washington starts using a body scanner today. A total of 38 machines will be in use within weeks.

"It's the wave of the future," said James Schear, the TSA security director at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where two body scanners are in use at one checkpoint.

Schear said the scanners could eventually replace metal detectors at the nation's 2,000 airport checkpoints and the pat-downs done on passengers who need extra screening. "We're just scratching the surface of what we can do with whole-body imaging," Schear said."

Read the full story on USA Today

Last year when a new travel law enforcing everyone going out of the country present their passport, there was a clamor amongst most travelers.  The announcement was abrupt and the agency that issues passports were on a backlog.  That seemed to be unfair since for years US travelers only needed to show their identification to be able to go through and visit Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  Because of the inconveniences, the law was temporarily suspended.  But those that are allowed to travel without a passport still have to show proof that they applied for a passport.

Now the backlog has been cleared and the law is slowly being enforced. Currently, anyone who travels by air to these mentioned countries and territories have to show their passports. This will be required for travel from now on. You can’t say to the people in the airlines that you’re waiting for the passport to come and all you have is a receipt.

The US government was able to produce 12 million passports last year to answer the backlog. When the backlog of passports started, it used to be more than two months before you could actually receive the passport. The usual turnaround time for passport requests is now in six weeks which is the standard procedure.

If you’re not traveling by air, you can still show the customary papers to go through the border. It could be a government issued ID such as drivers license or marriage certificate. For kids, they will be required to show their birth certificate to be allowed to cross the borders of the country. But you have to show that you applied for passport.

The exception of land and water based travel will not stay long. In January 2008, anyone who crosses the border should show their passports. Even when you’re traveling by land, air or water, you do not only show a valid ID but you have to show your passport at the same time. Passport is also required if you want to go back to the country. That includes the kids and the infants.

Another temporary exception will be those that will travel before the end of the year and will go back on January 2008. Since a passport is not required to pass through the borders before 2008, you can go back without any passport required.

So if you’re planning to go to these places sometime next year, better apply for a passport now. If it’s your first time to apply for a passport, you have to do it in person. There are more than 9,000 centers that you can apply personally around the country. A personal appearance is also required if you’re passport has been expired for more than 15 years. For passport renewals, you can go online and download the form. Send the form with two passport-worthy photos and $67.00 renewal fee.

If you want your processing expedited, add $60.00 for rush processing but standard processing is only six to eight weeks. Give yourself at least two months before you can actually go out of the country from now on.

The passport application fee includes the $12.00 Security Surcharge, which became effective March 8, 2005.

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time:  if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

For more information on getting a new passport, please visit How to get a passport page.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from this site.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

For more information on how to renew a passport, please visit How to renew a passport page.
_______________________________________________