Smooth flying as new U.S. passport rules kick in for air travellers

TORONTO (CP) - Canadian travellers clutching their passports are checking in at Toronto's international airport en route to the United States. It's been smooth sailing so far on Day 1 of the new American requirement that all air travellers carry the document.

So far, Air Canada officials say there have been no issues, and travellers say they don't consider it a big deal. There have been some stories of last minute scrambles to get a passport and American immigration officials say they will consider extenuating circumstances before denying anyone entry.

So far, at least at Pearson International Airport, that doesn't appear to have been necessary.

The rules, known as the Western Travel Initiative, are designed to enhance U.S. security by requiring everyone, including Americans, to have passports to enter the country.

Businessman Terry Queely, en route to Baltimore, says he has been using a passport for several months now when flying to the U.S.

"With everything the world is doing these days, it doesn't really bother me," Queely said.

"We have our own Canadian passport, so why not use it?"

© The Canadian Press, 2007