The devil is in the details

By Anonymous - 16/10/2019 06:00 - Australia

Today, after cancelling work, arguing with my family, scrambling to pack my bags, speeding to the airport and filling in immigration forms to fly out to have a much needed holiday, I wasn't allowed to check in. My passport has less than 6 months away from expiration on it. Yes, that's a thing, apparently. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 387

You deserved it 1 399

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Same thing different taste

By anonymous - 18/03/2011 07:35

Today, I went to the airport to start the amazing 3 week vacation in Costa Rica that I've been saving for and planning for more than a year. They wouldn't let me on the plane because my passport expires in less than 6 months. FML

I agree, your life sucks 40 227

You deserved it 13 865

By Anonymous - 03/07/2016 23:22

Today, after months of planning and saving for our honeymoon in Italy, my wife and I were turned away at the airport because my passport only has a month until it expires, even though it's only a five-day trip. FML

I agree, your life sucks 17 172

You deserved it 3 946

By Ditzyfitzy - 09/01/2019 14:00

Today, after spending 2 years saving for my flights, I was denied boarding due to issues with my passport. I heading straight to the embassy only to be told a replacement will take 8 days. The airline will only hold my place for 7. FML

I agree, your life sucks 2 649

You deserved it 387

Enjoy yourself, I guess

By Anonymous - 15/02/2017 01:00 - Spain - Las Palmas

Today, I went with my girlfriend to the airport for some much needed vacation time. We arrived on time but were stopped at the gate when they told me I didn't have the right passport. The plane left without me. My girlfriend did too. FML

I agree, your life sucks 6 629

You deserved it 1 301

By Clauric - 24/03/2010 12:11 - Ireland

Today, the passport office informed me I won't get my passport in time to go on holidays. However, they took the money for the passport out of my account 2 months ago, causing me to go overdrawn, and not pay my travel insurance. The same insurance I needed to get the cost of the holiday back. FML

I agree, your life sucks 31 724

You deserved it 4 909

By hahahaha91 - 03/10/2009 07:59 - United States

Today, I woke up excited for my trip to Jamaica with my friends. We went to the airport, and I gave them my passport to check in. They gave it back. It had expired three weeks ago. I watched my friends board the plane while I'm stuck in the city. FML

I agree, your life sucks 16 098

You deserved it 51 719

By Anonymous - 07/05/2009 04:29 - Korea Republic of

Today, I picked up my passport, as my previous one was damaged in a car crash. As the teller warned me that a pattern of damaged passports would result in longer processing periods, she spilled her coffee - all over my new passport. I'm supposed to go overseas in a month. FML

I agree, your life sucks 62 184

You deserved it 2 385

Nicked it

By Imdead - 14/09/2018 22:00

Today, we're taking the plane home from Dublin after a school trip that I only barely got onto after troubles with my passport. Luckily for me, a kind person had decided to save me from the passport this evening - together with the rest of my wallet. I'm stuck. FML

I agree, your life sucks 2 712

You deserved it 239

By Anonymous - 23/07/2016 04:17 - United States - Gilroy

Today, I was heading out for my flight to Australia. I'd put a padlock on my luggage to keep my wallet and passport safe, only to realize way too late that I'd left the key at home. I couldn't get at my passport and ended up missing my flight and my whole vacation along with it. FML

I agree, your life sucks 14 292

You deserved it 9 533

By Anonymous - 09/08/2009 04:02 - United States

Today, my family and I were coming back from a trip to the US. As we reached the border patrol we realized that we were one passport short. The border patrol lectured us for 30 minutes about how irresponsible we were for not realizing that they had forgotten to give us one of our passports back. FML

I agree, your life sucks 43 060

You deserved it 8 050

Sara Niemantsverdriet 12

Wednesday 16 October 2019 10:49

It's not an Australian government thing. A lot of countries require 6 months validity on a passport or they don't let you in. The airlines can actually be fined for carrying passengers that are then turned back at the airport in their destination country, so they stop it at check-in I don't get it either, but them's the rules.

mssileas 25

Wednesday 16 October 2019 9:23

That's quite common and in my experience it's mentioned in most airline check lists and information writings. Shame about your holiday though

Comments

Loz88 3

Wednesday 16 October 2019 6:09

Of course it’s a thing. Even I know that and I don’t even have a passport. YDI

jbuckets_404 38

Wednesday 16 October 2019 8:52

And just where did you first learn about this caveat? I've had a US passport for 10 yrs and have never heard of it. Is it an Australian gov't thing only? Thx! :-)

timinator5000 28

Thursday 17 October 2019 4:08

I never knew this either. granted I got mine as an 18 year old so I probably didn't read everything. Still, I didn't know it so I could have faced the same situation.

Seeya55 31

Wednesday 16 October 2019 11:32

It's written in the information for travelling by plane, also depending on what country but it's the rule for international flights usually. You're only allowed to stay 6 months per calendar year out of your country as any longer, you lose your residency. Unless of course, you start filing for Visa's for extended travel times, and that's done months in advance. Having less than that left on your expiration flags you for possible abandonment AND as others said, makes it so you don't have an expired passport if you do plan to come back in 6 months for any extenuating circumstances. Protects you and them! This fact is 100% tested and true for USA and Canada from personal experience as an immigrant from one country to the other!

bl3ur0z3 17

Wednesday 16 October 2019 7:19

So it's not expired yet, but it will in less than 6 months so you can't travel now? What's the point of an expiration date if you can't use it up until that date? I'd go "Karen" on them.

jbuckets_404 38

Wednesday 16 October 2019 8:51

Yea, but this is the Australian federal gov't. I doubt that they'll bend the rules for anybody, but high-ranking gov't officials.

Sinshine 28

Wednesday 16 October 2019 9:55

Yea that's sadly a thing. I believe it's to prevent people from getting stranded with an expired passport that was still fine when they left the country.

mssileas 25

Wednesday 16 October 2019 9:23

That's quite common and in my experience it's mentioned in most airline check lists and information writings. Shame about your holiday though

Sara Niemantsverdriet 12

Wednesday 16 October 2019 10:49

bluejello2001 18

Saturday 19 October 2019 6:12

I once heard the 6 month rule explained as a sort of buffer, in case something goes really wrong and you are delayed leaving (medical issues, legal trouble, whatever).