# Delta Airlines web site is the pits. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 27, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-airlines-web-site-is-the-pits/691782 "2014-06-27T15:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-airlines-web-site-is-the-pits/691782/1 "2014-06-27T15:31:58Z")
Sorry, I just have to vent this. Tomorrow my wife and I are flying from Montreal to Myrtle Beach. I tried to get a boarding pass. Went through the whole boring shtick of entering my name, date of birth, passport #, nationality (US), sex, etc., only to be told I didn’t have the right documentation to enter the US. With a US passport? They refused to issue the boarding pass. So I tried their contact us link. The first number I called (International help), I got a long spiel in French (which I didn’t even try to follow), then, “For service in English, press 2.” Which I did. The heavily accented instructions that followed were incomprehensible. “Mumble, mumble, …, followed by your four digit mumble.” So I hung up and tried another help number. This time, I got put on hold for several minutes and then an actual human answered and I explained the problem. “I have to transfer you to the web help line.” So she transferred the call. Another hold. Eventually, the “Thank you for waiting; your call is [un]important to us” message stopped and I realized I was disconnected. Then there was a place to click to send them an email. I tried that, but after entering my name, email address (twice), I was asked for my ticket number. I was prepared with the confirmation number (needed to get the boarding pass), but it would have meant going upstairs to get, which would likely have timed me out. So I gave up. Maybe someone at Delta will even see this rant. But WTF, when has a US passport ceased to be sufficient ID to enter the US? ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-airlines-web-site-is-the-pits/691782/2 "2014-06-27T18:19:29Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > But WTF, when has a US passport ceased to be sufficient ID to enter the US? I’m no expert, but I do seem to recall some sort of program where you have to “preregister” to enter the US. Doing some poking around, I see that an ESTA authorization is needed for everything but land crossings between the US and Canada. Might this be a step you’ve omitted. Luckily, at least according to the Wiki article, you can get it at the airport. I’m not sure if this is it, but it might be a start. Happy travels. ETA: Oh, I see you’re American. The preceding does not apply to you. Your best bet will likely be to get to the airport very early tomorrow. I would go with about four, maybe five hours. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delta-airlines-web-site-is-the-pits/691782/3 "2014-06-27T19:32:17Z")
> [@](#): > > All U.S. citizens departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere by air are required to present a valid passport or NEXUS card (if utilizing a NEXUS kiosk when departing from a designated Canadian airport). Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business.) Note that children are also required to present their own passport when traveling by air. [https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a\_id/74/~/us-citizens---documents-needed-for-entry-into-the-u.s](https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/74/~/us-citizens---documents-needed-for-entry-into-the-u.s). > [@](#): > > All U.S. citizens including children must present a passport or other approved travel document when entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens can present a passport, NEXUS card at airports with NEXUS kiosks, U.S. military ID with travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when on official business. [http://www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders](http://www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders) ETSA documentation does not apply to US Passport holders entering the USA.