The incoming passenger card - emergency contact?

[juddles]

I am not a fan of the cards - mainly because they appear to be designed by some twit who never considered how hard they can be to complete with poor eyesight in cabin lighting with a huge long surname.....

I do agree that it should not be a problem per se to assist the authorities with the provision of info - but they could make it easier. A small paragraph at the start of the form explaining why the information is collected would be nice too.

 

[NinnyPoo]

That's OK, you don't get notified when its found that the pax next to you had Ebola. I don't care really, but then I guess we all pay when there has to be such a big search because some people think they are so special.

Honestly people, is it such a big drama?

i really do think an Ebola scare would involve more than wading thru a series of inbound customs forms. I think your analogy is over the top. The airlines have this info and in an electronic format, which is far easier to obtain. That is the point why I choose not to fill in that part of the form.

 

[Mark3000]

Maybe it is so they can collect hand writing and DNA samples !
Queue spooky music.........

 

[RooFlyer]

i really do think an Ebola scare would involve more than wading thru a series of inbound customs forms. I think your analogy is over the top. The airlines have this info and in an electronic format, which is far easier to obtain. That is the point why I choose not to fill in that part of the form.

I knew saying 'Ebola' would be a distraction . <snip>.

And what do they do with all these passenger cards ? Does someone have to type them all into a computer ? Or do they pile them up in a big warehouse somewhere ?

Actually, they are scanned and OCRed, so the info is captured electronically (where readable). And although their useful life span (as far as emergency contact details is concerned) is only a few days, the images are kept by the gov'mint.

And thank goodness. I asked for and got images of my exit and entry forms going back about 20 years when I was compiling my flight history to enter into AFF flight tracker.

 

[waimate01]

I fill in my Ebola card, bring it home, shred it and and put it in the bin. I presume that's what they wanted.

 

[serfty]

In MEL T2, look for the box on the floor full of them near the exit door - I now toss mine into that.

 

[Denali]

I always pity the person that has to try to read my card - my handwriting sucks.

Considering todays technology, where "they" know my address, birthdate, passport number ect, why cant we get a partially preprinted card at checkin so we only have to tick a few squares and add a phone number and signature.

 

[Warks]

At least we don't have to answer questions about war crimes and "moral turpitude".

 

[dajop]

And what do they do with all these passenger cards ? Does someone have to type them all into a computer ? Or do they pile them up in a big warehouse somewhere ?

The cards (or at least electronic copies of the card?) are stored somewhere, I have read several legal cases between ATO and individuals where the cards were referenced. An example from here:

The Commissioner’s evidence in this application comprised:
....

• photocopies of the Taxpayer’s Australian immigration “Incoming passenger cards” for the period from 22 May 2005 to 26 July 2012, which were tendered in one bundle (comprising 21 pages) as “Exhibit R5”;
• • photocopies of the Taxpayer’s Australian immigration “Outgoing passenger cards” for the period from 19 June 2005 to 31 October 2012, which were tendered in one bundle (comprising 20 pages) as “Exhibit R6”; and

 

[Beano]

I've often wondered that myself, even as a foreigner arriving into Australia. Would they call my o/seas number, and I may spend each night of a four day trip in a different city, would they be able to catch up with me?

 

[serfty]

At least we don't have to answer questions about war crimes and "moral turpitude".

FWIW, the USA ESTA Questions no longer include references to "War Crimes" or "Moral Turpitude".

(Although there is reference to "terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide" ..)

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....stions-moral-turpitude-64058.html#post1165576

 

[Beano]

I fill in my Ebola card, bring it home, shred it and and put it in the bin. I presume that's what they wanted.

I don't fill one in any more after it wasn't even looked at by the customs officer and no-one has bothered to ask since. However, you need to use the electronic entry system for that to work because I think the immigration people want to see it.

 

[Warks]

FWIW, the USA ESTA Questions no longer include references to "War Crimes" or "Moral Turpitude".

(Although there is reference to "terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide" ..)

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....stions-moral-turpitude-64058.html#post1165576

You wonder if anyone ever ticked 'Yes'.

 

[JessicaTam]

I don't fill one in any more after it wasn't even looked at by the customs officer and no-one has bothered to ask since. However, you need to use the electronic entry system for that to work because I think the immigration people want to see it.

Last time I entered AU at MEL I went to the ExpressPass counter (as I wanted a stamp). I offered the agent the Ebola card and without a glance at it, the agent told me to hand it in just before the exit. I dropped it in the bucket for the purpose with no-one having looked at it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, even I, Bronwyn's poster boy ( :shock: ) of filling in forms as required, have given up on the Ebola one.

 

[Archphoto]

But there is a separate Ebola card where your seat number is requested as well.

I fill in everything - doesn't take much time at all.

I filled this in when I arrived PER in April - crazy thing was I used the Smart-Gate and obviously nobody collected the card. I wondered why they bothered to hand out if there wasn't anyone there to collect it from residents or a box to drop it into.

Great idea, if implemented correctly . . . . . .

 

[RooFlyer]

I filled this in when I arrived PER in April - crazy thing was I used the Smart-Gate and obviously nobody collected the card. I wondered why they bothered to hand out if there wasn't anyone there to collect it from residents or a box to drop it into.

Great idea, if implemented correctly . . . . . .

<snip>, even I, Bronwyn's poster boy ( :shock: ) of filling in forms as required, have given up on the Ebola one.

That said, remember that one half of the Ebola form was for the pax to keep - to remind you of your exact travel details (date, flight, seat) if you or some-one else on the flight became sick.