An amusing email from a friend of mine:

Thanks for the heads up that the "English Endorsement" is required to be
added to my pilots license in order to clear customs. Due to the fact that
hardly anyone knows about this obscure requirement, the cut off date is now
extended one year to 3/2009.

It took me about an hour to set up passwords and ID numbers to order the
changed license. In true government philosophy of "fighting terrorism
through senseless paperwork", I was required to furnish a current picture
of myself via TX drivers license or Passport. Immediately below this
section of the form was a bold faced disclaimer that stated (paraphrased) :
PILOTS LICENSES DO NOT USE OR DISPLAY PHOTO ID.

So for verification of ID purposes I had to send the FAA a picture that
they have nothing to compare it to and it will not be displayed on my
pilots license ????

It took me another 1 1/2 days to obtain the necessary passwords and ID to
order a Customs Sticker on line. A $27.50 item that the customs agent is no
longer allowed to sell at the customs facility because it took them about
an hour to fill out the numerous government forms showing that they had
collected $27.50, which by the way, could not be paid in cash.

The terrorists have won the war.


--
Dallas

On Mar 23, 11:12*am, Dallas > wrote:
> An amusing email from a friend of mine:

> It took me about an hour to set up passwords and ID numbers to order the
> changed license. *In true government philosophy of "fighting terrorism
> through senseless paperwork", I was required to furnish a current picture
> of myself via TX drivers license or Passport. *Immediately below this
> section of the form was a bold faced disclaimer that stated (paraphrased) :
> PILOTS LICENSES DO NOT USE OR DISPLAY PHOTO ID.

I have no idea why they wanted a picture. I got my new certificate (I
just got back from Mexico) and was never asked for a picture.

-Robert

On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:08:01 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
> wrote:

>On Mar 23, 11:12*am, Dallas > wrote:
>> An amusing email from a friend of mine:
>
>> It took me about an hour to set up passwords and ID numbers to order the
>> changed license. *In true government philosophy of "fighting terrorism
>> through senseless paperwork", I was required to furnish a current picture
>> of myself via TX drivers license or Passport. *Immediately below this
>> section of the form was a bold faced disclaimer that stated (paraphrased) :
>> PILOTS LICENSES DO NOT USE OR DISPLAY PHOTO ID.
>
>I have no idea why they wanted a picture. I got my new certificate (I
>just got back from Mexico) and was never asked for a picture.
>
>-Robert

in australia when you sent away for your ASIC security card you had
the option for a photo licence page to be done at the same time.
we all selected the option to get the photo licence page.
CASA took the money for it but decided that it was all too hard so
they just advised that the photo licence page wasnt going to be
issued.
you get clueless bureaucracies like that in australia ...and in
communist china.

On Mar 24, 6:11*am, Stealth Pilot >
wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:08:01 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"

> in australia when you sent away for your ASIC security card you had
> the option for a photo licence page to be done at the same time.
> we all selected the option to get the photo licence page.
> CASA took the money for it but decided that it was all too hard so
> they just advised that the photo licence page wasnt going to be
> issued.
> you get clueless bureaucracies like that in australia ...and in
> communist china.

I'm not aware of any photo requirement in the US at this time.
However, if they did make it "optional" I could see a lot of airports
denying ramp access to pilots who did not opt in.

-Robert

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:54:19 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
> wrote:

>I'm not aware of any photo requirement in the US at this time.
>However, if they did make it "optional" I could see a lot of airports
>denying ramp access to pilots who did not opt in.

Given the current requirement for photo ID (which virtually all US
pilots possess) in addition to an airmans certificate to access the
ramp, it would be redundant (and hence needlessly costly).

>
> Given the current requirement for photo ID (which virtually all US
> pilots possess) in addition to an airmans certificate to access the
> ramp, it would be redundant (and hence needlessly costly).


Therefore it is SURE to be required...

denny

On Mar 24, 12:39*pm, Larry Dighera > wrote:
> On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:54:19 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
>

> Given the current requirement for photo ID (which virtually all US
> pilots possess) in addition to an airmans certificate to access the
> ramp, it would be redundant (and hence needlessly costly).

Sounds too logical. In anycase, I guess I'm thinking more along the
lines of a fishing license. Something that is required to be visible
from 20 feet at all times. I could see airport managers asking pilots
to wear such an ID around our necks. The same is required of most
airport employees at larger airports.

In Mexico you are often asked for your pilot's license everytime you
approach your aircraft, and always when you land or buy gas (avgas is
restricted and a pilot's certificate is a permit to purchase it in
Mexico).

-Robert

Something that is required to be visible
> from 20 feet at all times. I could see airport managers asking pilots
> to wear such an ID around our necks. The same is required of most
> airport employees at larger airports.


I'm thinking orange coveralls with PILOT printed on the back...

denny

On Mar 25, 4:58*am, Denny > wrote:
> *Something that is required to be visible
>
> > from 20 feet at all times. I could see airport managers asking pilots
> > to wear such an ID around our necks. The same is required of most
> > airport employees at larger airports.
>
> I'm thinking orange coveralls with PILOT printed on the back...

I like it! I've been trying to find an excuse to buy coveralls but my
wife says they're too dorky. Now I'll have a reason!! ;)

-Robert

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:16:48 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
> wrote:

>I like it! I've been trying to find an excuse to buy coveralls but my
>wife says they're too dorky. Now I'll have a reason!! ;)

I realize your comment is toung-in-cheek, but tell her they are flame
retardant, and shell be demanding a pair too.

On Mar 24, 5:20 pm, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> On Mar 24, 12:39 pm, Larry Dighera > wrote:
>
> > On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:54:19 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
>
> > Given the current requirement for photo ID (which virtually all US
> > pilots possess) in addition to an airmans certificate to access the
> > ramp, it would be redundant (and hence needlessly costly).
>
> Sounds too logical. In anycase, I guess I'm thinking more along the
> lines of a fishing license. Something that is required to be visible
> from 20 feet at all times. I could see airport managers asking pilots
> to wear such an ID around our necks. The same is required of most
> airport employees at larger airports.
>
> In Mexico you are often asked for your pilot's license everytime you
> approach your aircraft, and always when you land or buy gas (avgas is
> restricted and a pilot's certificate is a permit to purchase it in
> Mexico).
>
> -Robert

This all assumes that if you have a pilot certificate then you must
be a good guy, and the terrorists don't have the ability to earn a
pilot certificate, or the technology to fake one. All these
requirements unnecessarily distract us from identifying the real
terrorists. I can see airport security harassing a legitimate guy who
forgot some paperwork, but the real terrorist slips by with all the
proper documents in place.