Canadian Man Forgets Passport, Uses iPad Instead
Canadian-born Martin Reisch found himself hours from home, approaching the U.S. border without his passport. However, like every good Apple fanboy, he had his iPad. How did an iPad help get him into the country? He produced a scan of his passport that he keeps on it to the border officer.
Reisch told the Associated Press that he was traveling to the U.S. by way of Quebec to visit friends for the holidays and bring Christmas presents for the little ones.
Presuming he would be turned away, Reisch decided to give it a try. To his great surprise, the officer allowed the scanned copy of his passport along with his State Identification card as proper documentation.
“I thought I’d at least give it a try,” Reisch said. “He took the iPad into the little border hut. He was in there a good five, six minutes. It seemed like an eternity. When he came back he took a good long pause before wishing me a Merry Christmas.”
In 2009, the U.S. increased security by requiring more than just a photo ID for Canadians crossing the border. Now, travelers must provide a passport or Nexus pass along with a photo ID. Reisch said the officer made an exception for him. Chances are, it won’t happen again. Although, Reisch used the same iPad scan to get himself back home later that same day.
Hopefully, someday technology will be advanced enough that travelers could keep a version of their passport or other identification digitally. Government organizations could even include a special barcode that proves authenticity. Total Recall, here we come.
[via Sacramento Bee]