Passports are to try to keep track of who is visiting a given country. But in my experience since 9/11 it's easier for a US citizen to enter a foriegn country than it is for us to return to the US, at least for Canada.
Being a merchant Mariner I'm required to carry 4 yes 4 forms of ID. A passport, my merchant mariner card, a US driver's license, and if you think a passport is a pita try getting a TWIC, Transportation Workers Identification Card. Twic costs $135 every 5 years, is issued by Transportation Safety Adminastration, and is not recognised by anybody inculding the TSA who issued it. Talk about a completely useless document.
Being a merchant Mariner I'm required to carry 4 yes 4 forms of ID. A passport, my merchant mariner card, a US driver's license, and if you think a passport is a pita try getting a TWIC, Transportation Workers Identification Card. Twic costs $135 every 5 years, is issued by Transportation Safety Adminastration, and is not recognised by anybody inculding the TSA who issued it. Talk about a completely useless document.
