Travel Experts Urge Carrying a Simple Pen to Avoid Airport Delays
NEW YORK — As holiday travel surges and airports grow busier, experts are highlighting a surprisingly simple item that could save travelers from frustrating delays: a pen. While many pack chargers, neck pillows, and noise-canceling headphones, a basic blue or black ink pen is often overlooked despite its critical role in completing immigration and customs paperwork.
Travel advisers and industry insiders report that many international arrivals still require passengers to fill out paper forms upon entry, a process that can stall when pens are in short supply. Georgia Fowkes, a Pennsylvania-based travel adviser with Altezza Travel, recounted her experience arriving in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, after a red-eye flight. “By the time I reached the immigration counter, every pen was gone — dry, vanished, even the chained-up one,” she said. “I was holding up the line with others scrambling to borrow a pen. Not my finest travel moment.”
Fowkes emphasized how carrying a pen can be a form of “social currency” at 35,000 feet or in crowded arrival halls. Many travelers find themselves stuck waiting, sometimes for extended periods, when they don’t have a writing instrument handy. This scenario is especially common during late-night arrivals when fewer people are available to lend a pen.
Eric Rosen, director of content at The Points Guy, also stresses the importance of carrying multiple pens during travel. “Depending on your country of citizenship or origin, you might still be required to fill out a paper form when arriving,” Rosen explained. He recommends travelers have pens ready to complete paperwork onboard or while in line to save valuable time and reduce stress.
While some countries are moving toward digital immigration systems, paper forms remain a staple in many airports worldwide. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection still requires certain travelers to complete paper forms upon entry, and similar protocols exist in other nations. Travelers should be prepared for these requirements, especially during peak travel seasons.
Experts advise selecting pens carefully. Basic ballpoint or gel pens with blue or black ink are preferred because fountain pens and rollerballs risk leaking due to cabin pressure changes. Additionally, forms filled out in unconventional ink colors may be rejected, forcing travelers to redo them and causing further delays.
Beyond immigration, a pen can prove invaluable if technology fails. In an era when travelers rely heavily on smartphones and tablets, a simple pen remains a reliable backup for filling out forms or jotting down important information. The Transportation Security Administration permits pens in carry-on luggage, making it easy to keep one accessible during flights.
As the holiday season approaches and airports anticipate record passenger volumes, travel experts encourage packing a pen as a small but significant step toward smoother journeys. The seemingly modest writing tool can prevent bottlenecks at immigration counters and spare travelers from unnecessary stress.
For more travel tips and updates on airport procedures, travelers can consult resources from the Department of Homeland Security and official travel advisory sites.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital conveniences, the humble pen remains a steadfast companion for international travelers navigating the complexities of airport arrivals.
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