PASSPORT EXPIRED? get an Identity card for £30 instead!

[Janis]

That's ridiculous, Kes! Although I'll bet our Martin can shed some light on why this - can you Martin? I only have a paper licence, although it's getting quite tatty now

[martin-w]

Quite true!
Typical of the 'lets do it for the lowest cost' approach. The paper licence has a signature, which is required legally to be acceptable. The plastic does not. Neither does it have a 'chip' with personal details. The 'Big brother is watching you' lobby wins again, leaving the plastic open to doubt. If you have nothing to hide, whats wrong with information being stored on a chip. It would certainly help identify those who do have something to hide!
Again, my personal view.
Martin.

[Janis]

I agree, Martin - I've got nothing to hide and I do think we need some sort of identification documentation in this day and age so that you can confirm who you actually are. In the "good old days" when we were young, everyone knew everyone else in our village and the local bobby certainly knew everyone!  Equally, everyone knew who the baddies were as well, and certainly a stern warning from our local bobby often worked with both the potential wrong 'un in question and their parents. Oops, better make sure I don't get on my soap box about this!!
Janis x

[Janina C]

I applied for a replacement driving licence last year as my old paper one was unreadable so I thought I would get the plastic one instead. I got back the plastic one and a paper one. My plastic one has my signature from my passport on it (done by DVA) and my paper one I signed when I got it. I used the plastic card for ID going through Schiphol security because I couldn't find my passport. I just asked if it was acceptable. However, at Manchester I had to find my passport, right in the bottom of my holdall wrapped in underwear. How embarassing is that? LOL

[TONYNEW]

Hi folks while on the topic of passports heres another issue API (advanced passenger information)
I have been on the site about API it doesn't really explain it very well saying usually your airline will ask for this information! what if they dont?
I have been on the Thomson site and there is a page to enter your API but 1st you enter lead passenger surname your booking reference number and departure date then login
and hey presto you get:-Sorry, we cannot access your booking with the details provided. Please check the following: then it asks if you have entered the correct name and ref No etc
What i want to know is do you or dont you require it we didn't have it last year although it came in 2009
Hope this makes sense
                                            Tony