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Warning make sure passport is not bent on edges
Just make sure your passport is not bent or folded or starting to wear on the edges. My buddy was flying down to SJO connecting in Houston and they check your passport right before boarding the final leg. Well the gate agent told him he had to get a new one, before he could continue on. He missed his connection, got an expedited and later arrived in SJO one day late because his passport had a little bend on the edges to my eye it looked perfect. Probably would have been just fine with customs but the gate agents are getting strict that you passport is pristine.
Im going to go buy a passport holder so mine doesnt get bent anybody know where to go? Kinkos? or where

They sell the "passport wallets" at the local Walgreen's (photo dept) here in Florida. They can also take pics for your passport application. Check the Walgreens in your area.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Yeah, they jump the gun a little in Houston.. I had that happen to me last year.... I told the guy I've lived there a long time and know I won't have a problem. He let me go and I got in. I replaced the passport right after just in case. Don't understand the fuss with edges as long as you can clearly read the info and can tell it hasn't been altered.

Interesting...as I live in Panama, and go through Houston quite frequently...My passport is abused to say the least. The friendly CO gate agent looked at my passport and said I could not travel as they wouldnt accept it in Panama...I asked for her supervisor, and the supervisor let me pass, but asked that I check in the Embassy in Panama for a new one.

The next day, I went to the US Embassy. They looked at the passport...laughed, and said she has no right refusing travel. Only US Border Control can tell deny travel. Well...she noticed I needed some new pages, and put them in!

Next trip through Houston...the same miserable wench...said I needed a new passport...I went to the new pages (just inserted...with a date from the Embassy) and told her...if they have no problem with this Passport...you shouldn't either. She let me go! She did say "your lucky your not flying to Costa Rica...they wouldn't let you board" I replied, "I go to CR every month, and have never had a problem!" She really needs to "get some"!

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A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!

I do understand it from Continentals viewpoint though.... I believe I have been told that they get fined or something if a passenger that they have let pass gets refused in immigration.

About 3/4 years ago, I had an amigo get his passport rejected at SJO( and it was in excellent condition to mine that passed thru 1 month prior). It was his first trip solo, and I was not with him to speak my Spanglish to customs. After talking to 2 people, he lost his kool and said something about the customs agent's unusual sexual practices with his mother--and guess what, he was on a plane back to Miami in 45 minutes. Whatever you do--don't piss them off

My passport has been in ocean, machine washed by a tica, and pissed on by a guy that got drunk on a plane in 2006. It wont read when running it through that electronic scanner. They have to type in my number by hand every time.

I have went back and forth, many times with not a blink.

I'm not recommending this . Just wanted to give me experience.

Me too, my passport is already 8+ years old. I always carried on my back pocket to CR and MX. Got my ass curvature and a bit wrinkle. Never have had any problems with it.

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Hit them fast, Hit them hard and NEXT!
A good chica is like a good carpenter - No wood gets wasted!!!

Phuck that, the day some boarding agent tells me my passport isnt good enough.

My passport is almost nine years old and somewhat dog eared, but it works every time. Guess I'l have to get a new one very soon.
On my last return from CR the customs guy said, "you've got lots of stamps from Latin America, what business are you in?"

Rather than admit to mongering, I just told him that I was semi-retired and that I could vacation anywhere in Latin America for about 40% of what a similar vacation would cost in a euro based country.

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Jmac-
That's what my buddy said as they were putting him on a plane back to Miami after being in CR for 45 minutes. Shortest trip to CR ever

How many sessions did he do?

I got one because my passport is abused, too.

Now each time at the airport they bent my passport to get it out of the passport holder!

Big difference. Jmac was referring to a boarding agent who is an airline employee. Your amigo was rejected by a governmental employee who has the right to deny entry.

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Pura Vida
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Alex Levine

Exactly what I did....the supervisor (a cute youngish hottie) came over...looked at it, and said it was ok, but to have it checked at the Embassy. If you are a jerk...they can make your life miserable..

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A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!