Passport Exceptions Not Yet in Effect
By: LaTonya Stephens
Updated: June 8, 2007
The State Department says passport requirements for travel to Canada, Mexico, Panama, Bermuda, and the Caribbean is now on hold.
The change would aid those fliers awaiting a U.S. passport to meet the new rule established in January.
But some local airlines are saying thats not the case... at least not yet.
Local American Eagle Airlines General Manager, Greg Miller says they are still requiring passports to those destinations.
Things will not change says Miller until they get the word from the corporate office.
The news though have left agents like Haynie Travels Linda Wedel very frustrated.
Wedel says she has a number of clients will trips coming up.
This includes a family of five leaving for Mexico tomorrow without two family members passports.
Wedel says she doesnt know what to tell them to expect because if they are still requiring passports tomorrow they will lose money on two plane tickets.
Travel agents are suggesting that those with tickets to the designated countries contact the airline ahead of time to make sure that they can travel without a passport.
