What's the value of an exit stamp when automated passport control is an option? [closed]
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I previously visited an international airport where departing passengers need to pass through emigration control. Passengers who are not citizens of the host country had two options: a long serpentine line to wait for an officer to be available at one of several desks, who would inspect documents, ask questions, and put an exit stamp on one of the pages of the traveler's passport, or automatic passport control, which had no line for a machine that would inspect the travel documents, presumably record some information, and open a gate to let the passenger through.
There were no signs indicating any restrictions regarding usage of those lanes (based on nationality, activities, etc.), and there were signs promoting its use describing how it was much faster and just secure. The lane for automated passport control was well-marked including on the floor, below eye level, at eye level, and overhead. Passengers had to go by the entrance to that just before reaching the entrance to the line where foreigners could wait for an officer.
The large majority of passengers chose the 30-40 minute wait in the serpentine line to go through an officer, which seemed strange. The exit stamp seemed to be the primary value proposition, but how valuable is that?
The secondary intent of this question is to seek guidance on when to use which lane, assuming both options are open and the automated control is a much shorter wait.
visas customs-and-immigration passports passport-stamps
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
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asked May 31 at 20:50
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closed as unclear what you're asking by Relaxed, Tor-Einar Jarnbjo, Hanky Panky, Giorgio, JonathanReez♦ Jun 1 at 3:11
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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I previously visited an international airport where departing passengers need to pass through emigration control. Passengers who are not citizens of the host country had two options: a long serpentine line to wait for an officer to be available at one of several desks, who would inspect documents, ask questions, and put an exit stamp on one of the pages of the traveler's passport, or automatic passport control, which had no line for a machine that would inspect the travel documents, presumably record some information, and open a gate to let the passenger through.
There were no signs indicating any restrictions regarding usage of those lanes (based on nationality, activities, etc.), and there were signs promoting its use describing how it was much faster and just secure. The lane for automated passport control was well-marked including on the floor, below eye level, at eye level, and overhead. Passengers had to go by the entrance to that just before reaching the entrance to the line where foreigners could wait for an officer.
The large majority of passengers chose the 30-40 minute wait in the serpentine line to go through an officer, which seemed strange. The exit stamp seemed to be the primary value proposition, but how valuable is that?
The secondary intent of this question is to seek guidance on when to use which lane, assuming both options are open and the automated control is a much shorter wait.
visas customs-and-immigration passports passport-stamps
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
closed as unclear what you're asking by Relaxed, Tor-Einar Jarnbjo, Hanky Panky, Giorgio, JonathanReez♦ Jun 1 at 3:11
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
7
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
2
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
2
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
5
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
4
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39
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show 8 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
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up vote
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down vote
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I previously visited an international airport where departing passengers need to pass through emigration control. Passengers who are not citizens of the host country had two options: a long serpentine line to wait for an officer to be available at one of several desks, who would inspect documents, ask questions, and put an exit stamp on one of the pages of the traveler's passport, or automatic passport control, which had no line for a machine that would inspect the travel documents, presumably record some information, and open a gate to let the passenger through.
There were no signs indicating any restrictions regarding usage of those lanes (based on nationality, activities, etc.), and there were signs promoting its use describing how it was much faster and just secure. The lane for automated passport control was well-marked including on the floor, below eye level, at eye level, and overhead. Passengers had to go by the entrance to that just before reaching the entrance to the line where foreigners could wait for an officer.
The large majority of passengers chose the 30-40 minute wait in the serpentine line to go through an officer, which seemed strange. The exit stamp seemed to be the primary value proposition, but how valuable is that?
The secondary intent of this question is to seek guidance on when to use which lane, assuming both options are open and the automated control is a much shorter wait.
visas customs-and-immigration passports passport-stamps
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
I previously visited an international airport where departing passengers need to pass through emigration control. Passengers who are not citizens of the host country had two options: a long serpentine line to wait for an officer to be available at one of several desks, who would inspect documents, ask questions, and put an exit stamp on one of the pages of the traveler's passport, or automatic passport control, which had no line for a machine that would inspect the travel documents, presumably record some information, and open a gate to let the passenger through.
There were no signs indicating any restrictions regarding usage of those lanes (based on nationality, activities, etc.), and there were signs promoting its use describing how it was much faster and just secure. The lane for automated passport control was well-marked including on the floor, below eye level, at eye level, and overhead. Passengers had to go by the entrance to that just before reaching the entrance to the line where foreigners could wait for an officer.
The large majority of passengers chose the 30-40 minute wait in the serpentine line to go through an officer, which seemed strange. The exit stamp seemed to be the primary value proposition, but how valuable is that?
The secondary intent of this question is to seek guidance on when to use which lane, assuming both options are open and the automated control is a much shorter wait.
visas customs-and-immigration passports passport-stamps
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
edited Jun 6 at 4:26
VMAtm
19.4k1277125
19.4k1277125
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
asked May 31 at 20:50
WBT
1,31211225
1,31211225
closed as unclear what you're asking by Relaxed, Tor-Einar Jarnbjo, Hanky Panky, Giorgio, JonathanReez♦ Jun 1 at 3:11
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as unclear what you're asking by Relaxed, Tor-Einar Jarnbjo, Hanky Panky, Giorgio, JonathanReez♦ Jun 1 at 3:11
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
7
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
2
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
2
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
5
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
4
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
7
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
2
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
2
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
5
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
4
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39
7
7
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
2
2
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
2
2
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
5
5
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
4
4
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39
 |Â
show 8 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
Because cool!
I've personally waited longer for the stamp, just because I like collecting the stamps, where possible, in my passport. I like looking back through them and reminiscing about the entrances/exits.
It's sad that many countries are phasing them out :/
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
Because cool!
I've personally waited longer for the stamp, just because I like collecting the stamps, where possible, in my passport. I like looking back through them and reminiscing about the entrances/exits.
It's sad that many countries are phasing them out :/
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Because cool!
I've personally waited longer for the stamp, just because I like collecting the stamps, where possible, in my passport. I like looking back through them and reminiscing about the entrances/exits.
It's sad that many countries are phasing them out :/
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Because cool!
I've personally waited longer for the stamp, just because I like collecting the stamps, where possible, in my passport. I like looking back through them and reminiscing about the entrances/exits.
It's sad that many countries are phasing them out :/
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
Because cool!
I've personally waited longer for the stamp, just because I like collecting the stamps, where possible, in my passport. I like looking back through them and reminiscing about the entrances/exits.
It's sad that many countries are phasing them out :/
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
answered Jun 1 at 0:59
Mark Mayo♦
128k745481261
128k745481261
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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7
Would you mind saying which country this was? There may be particular factors that make it country-specific.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 20:55
2
Be aware, we can only speculate then. There may be specific, not obvious, requirements of APC at that border.
– Johns-305
May 31 at 21:11
2
The question is difficult to answer succinctly and IMO not a good fit for this site unless you make it specific to one country. For the moment, I voted to close it as “too broad“.
– Relaxed
May 31 at 21:17
5
I understand since your whereabouts are personal. It's just hard to know in the abstract whether the people waiting in line were doing so for some (perceived) local reason or even if they were just misinformed. It's possible they had no idea they were waiting unnecessarily or thought the machines were only for certain people (citizens, registered travelers, etc...), as is common at some other airports. There are plenty of situations in travel where people end up in line for something not realizing there's an app or alternate entrance or advance tickets or other way to bypass it.
– Zach Lipton
May 31 at 21:31
4
In my experience, automated controls are typically for those who are citizens or who otherwise have some favorable status compared to infrequent visitors. Are you certain that you understood the controls correctly?
– phoog
May 31 at 21:39