Travel Plans

[Dr X Man]

Has anyone thought of more than info exchange. For example, if someone is to visit my city. I can show him around, introduce, drive, take him to different working girls. For a traveler that would save him a lot. Would anyone be interested?

[Dr X Man]

A question for world wide travelers. In your view what are the best countries relaxed laws, best value for money, best quality (a bit relative.).

I have been around the world but I started hobbying after visiting many countries.

Canada law is relaxed, you can get a good full service if you are visiting for $150 however if you do more search you can get SW for $40

[Yson44]

Next months. Greece, UK, Germany. And more where my boss one to go to.

[Jiggydus]

Before I make judgment on what I've read online can anyone add to this? Will this also affect those people renewing a passport?

Is this something to be concerned with on our part? Is this forced participation in the " global entry" program?

The Global Entry Program is a trusted traveler program and you have to pay to participate in this program. It is voluntary and separate from passport issuance or renewal. I don't work for customs but I did get into the Global Entry program due to all my international travel and the distain I have of waiting in long lines and answering mundane questions about why I love to travel so much. Now I just "talk" to a kiosk.

[Borderland]

Hey,

I've covered most of E. Europe and whilst I will still visit there I'm interested in checking out Colombia. Been on the Colombia thread and the women look amazing! I was wondering if anybody was up for having a week out there sometime? I've got no dates in my head but anytime from November to March next year would be good. I speak no Spanish but could learn some in the next 5 months to get by with. If anyone is up for crossing the Atlantic to check out the scene in Bogota etc. Then let me know.

[Artisttyp]

Ezinho,

You can go on any US consulate website and look up the step program. In some ways it makes sense but maybe in a different era. Sentri global access step. They are all identical in that they want to know more about you and want to keep tabs on you.

One comment I read online made me think " Are they trying to keep citizens from leaving?"

The first images that come to mind are citizens of 3rd world countries being denied travel visas. Why? Because if they had the chance they wouldn't come back. Less citizens equals less income from taxation.

I am very afraid.

[Ezinho]

I was just researching the us gov STEP program which enables the local consulate to know who and where you are. My feelings are extremely mixed on the subject.

I googled this STEP program thing and the only thing that came up was "Student Temporary Employment Program". Do you have any other info about this?

Personally, I never notify the US embassy when I'm visiting, or even living in, another country. What's the point? It's none of their business as far as I'm concerned.

HOWEVER I came across an article relating to a NEW passport questionaire that some appilicants will have to go through. From what I've read it sounds like an attempt to make it harder for people to aquire one. Questions relate to your life long employment history with names of supervisors to listing all your previous home addresses and various other questionable pertinent information.

Some people posted that it has been almost impossible for law abiding US Citizens to complete this form.

Before I make judgment on what I've read online can anyone add to this? Will this also affect those people renewing a passport?

Is this something to be concerned with on our part? Is this forced participation in the " global entry" program?

Everyday its something new WTF.

I've heard about this new passport application as well from different places on the internet. At first I thought it was a joke, but it looks like it's not. Some of the questions include your mother's residence one year before your birth, what religious ceremonies were performed at your birth, as well as an entire employment and residence history.

A couple other laws that members on here might not be aware of; if you have any foreign bank accounts with more than the equivalent of $10k USD, you must report them to the IRS by June 30th. Also, if you want to renounce your US citizenship, there is now a $450 fee.

I swear, this country is becoming a fucking police state.

[Artisttyp]

I was just researching the us gov STEP program which enables the local consulate to know who and where you are. My feelings are extremely mixed on the subject.

HOWEVER I came across an article relating to a NEW passport questionaire that some appilicants will have to go through. From what I've read it sounds like an attempt to make it harder for people to aquire one. Questions relate to your life long employment history with names of supervisors to listing all your previous home addresses and various other questionable pertinent information.


Some people posted that it has been almost impossible for law abiding US Citizens to complete this form.

Before I make judgment on what I've read online can anyone add to this? Will this also affect those people renewing a passport?

Is this something to be concerned with on our part? Is this forced participation in the " global entry" program?

Everyday its something new WTF.

By the way THANK YOU to the poster who responded tp my last request.

[Johneash]

I was curious to know how many guys travel with unlocked smart phones and are able to buy pre paid data plans as easily as pre paid phone plans? I understand that several have wifi built in.

I've had an unlimited BB plan for years now and don't want to give it up. At the same time I would like to get an atrix 4 g or some other droid phone.

Are these plans common these days? Does anybody have experience with this in latin america. Also how many of you have been switching your micro sim in your ipad? Is that common these days for travelers or just the most tech savy?

Thank you for any input.

I always purchase a local sim card on arrival when travelling to europe, for south america I used this; www.tollfreeforwarding.com

I would never carry an expensive item like an ipad! I just use a crappy old phone that works & a 5 year old laptop, if they get stolen, so what, just buy another on ebay for $50.

Never rely on a phone to get internet access, outside western europe, USA, se asia etc, it's patchy to say the least.

BTW, I've been using various smart phones for 5 years now, the promises the companies gave out were garbage. Only since the iphone have smartphones actually worked, I currently use a htc desire (andriod) it works! I sent back a nokia e7 (simbian) it didn't work.

[Artisttyp]

I was curious to know how many guys travel with unlocked smart phones and are able to buy pre paid data plans as easily as pre paid phone plans? I understand that several have wifi built in.

I've had an unlimited BB plan for years now and don't want to give it up. At the same time I would like to get an atrix 4 g or some other droid phone.

Are these plans common these days? Does anybody have experience with this in latin america. Also how many of you have been switching your micro sim in your ipad? Is that common these days for travelers or just the most tech savy?

Thank you for any input.

[Nutty Smith]

Needed to get from London to NYC on a specific date recently. One way ticket cost more that a RT. How can this be? I could only buy a refundable "expensive" one way. It was slightly cheaper for me to buy a RT non-refundable ticket and to just use the first half. Crazy!

NS

[Artisttyp]

I was on expedia looking at one way tickets to mexico. There are a few tempting fares to acapulco. I thought maybe start there and work south towards the guatemala border then on to Cancun and purchase a return ticket from there.

I called up two different airlines and they both gave me conflicting responses regarding one way tickets :

AA- "our computers don't say anything regarding proving onward travel when arriving into mexico"

Continental- " mexicans citizens are allowed to buy one way tickets into mexico but us citizens are not."

Then I searched a few forums :

" More than likely the country you are going to won't care about onward travel. If you are worried you can book an inner country bus ride and print it up as proof of onward travel. Maybe even cancel the reservation as soon as you get there."

" American airlines are responsible for having to send citizens back with improper documentation. Therefore airlines will not allow passengers board the plane without a return ticket"

" You can drive to mexico so technically it's still part of america. That's why it's ok to buy a one way ticket to mexico. You couldn't do that for a south american country though."

" I had to buy a return ticket right there on the spot."

" It depends on the check in agent and what kind of mood she is in."

" I suggest you call the TSA."

I'd like the freedom to come back when I want and not to be tied into specific dates. Changing flights has been very expensive for me.

Can anybody speak from *experience?

Thanks

[Stevebny]

What is trouble to you? Almost anything can land you on some kind of list these days.

The best thing you can do is to encrypt your data. Customs can take your laptop, but cannot compel you to decrypt and / or give them a password without a warrant. So encrypt your laptop's drives. Or, just store your bookmarks on a usb disk and encrypt that. Both Windows 7 and Mac OS X have this built in.

Remember, deleted is not erased. Unless you use a secure erasing tool (like Mac's secure erase. Windows has no such thing built in) , your files are still there and easily accessible.

So: 1) encrpyt your disks. 2) use secure erase. 3) password protect your OS and ensure a passord is required to log in.

And don't forget your mobile phone! In California, for instance, it is legal to search a mobile without a warrant. In other countries there is not even any sort of due process. So, encrypt (if possible. Basically only Blackberry is secure) and password protect your phone as well.

Beware, the man will fuck you up if he can. It's his job.

But if they see your stuff is encrypted and you don't play ball with them, they may think you have something to hide, detain you and get the warrant anyway. All they need is suspicion of wrong-doing.

Don't sweat it. Bookmarks are harmless. As long as you don't have kiddie porn, private emails from Sarah Palin or terrorist crap on your laptop you should be OK.

[Norm Deploom]

And what is the ramification?

I travel alot with my laptop, and I have a bunch of escorts sites and sexforums like this one (different countries, local) saved as bookmarks.

If my laptop was too be searched and they find this information, would that land me in trouble?

Thanks

What is trouble to you? Almost anything can land you on some kind of list these days.

The best thing you can do is to encrypt your data. Customs can take your laptop, but cannot compel you to decrypt and / or give them a password without a warrant. So encrypt your laptop's drives. Or, just store your bookmarks on a usb disk and encrypt that. Both Windows 7 and Mac OS X have this built in.

Remember, deleted is not erased. Unless you use a secure erasing tool (like Mac's secure erase. Windows has no such thing built in) , your files are still there and easily accessible.

So: 1) encrpyt your disks. 2) use secure erase. 3) password protect your OS and ensure a passord is required to log in.

And don't forget your mobile phone! In California, for instance, it is legal to search a mobile without a warrant. In other countries there is not even any sort of due process. So, encrypt (if possible. Basically only Blackberry is secure) and password protect your phone as well.

Beware, the man will fuck you up if he can. It's his job.

[Vega Wrap]

I am trying to decide where to go in spring. The whole world is an option. I am willing to spend about as much as 9 or 10, 000 US.

I do want to have an almost sure shot at getting laid frequently though.

Here's the details so you really know whats up. I just got dumped bad from a really serious relationship. We were supposed to go on this vacation together. Now I have nowhere to go, and most likely no one to go with, and the serious just dumped blues. Also, I work overseas in a combat zone, so its not like I can go hit the bars. This vacation is literally my short block of time away from the box.

So, where is the best place to drown this issue in booze and beautiful women.

For the record I'm a tall, pretty big / muscular American looking black guy. Just worth mentioning, since different races and different body types and overall looks have different luck in certain countries vs others.