English Endorsement

An amusing email from a friend of mine:

Thanks for the heads up that the "English Endorsement" is required to be
added to my pilots license in order to clear customs. Due to the fact that
hardly anyone knows about this obscure requirement, the cut off date is now
extended one year to 3/2009.

It took me about an hour to set up passwords and ID numbers to order the
changed license. In true government philosophy of "fighting terrorism
through senseless paperwork", I was required to furnish a current picture
of myself via TX drivers license or Passport. Immediately below this
section of the form was a bold faced disclaimer that stated (paraphrased) :
PILOTS LICENSES DO NOT USE OR DISPLAY PHOTO ID.

So for verification of ID purposes I had to send the FAA a picture that
they have nothing to compare it to and it will not be displayed on my
pilots license ????

It took me another 1 1/2 days to obtain the necessary passwords and ID to
order a Customs Sticker on line. A $27.50 item that the customs agent is no
longer allowed to sell at the customs facility because it took them about
an hour to fill out the numerous government forms showing that they had
collected $27.50, which by the way, could not be paid in cash.

The terrorists have won the war.


--
Dallas