Job Discussion Forums

coffeedrinker · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 149

I�m an American going to work in Eastern Europe and flying into Western Europe on a one-way ticket. (Sorry to be vague, I have a thing about not posting too much detail). I�m starting to get concerned that I may receive extra scrutiny given not only the kind of classical �flying on a single tickets is suspicious� thing, but also obviously given the current security concerns. I had several reasons for arranging my travel this way when I bought the ticket�some of them no longer apply and some do, including the fact that this was the cheapest option�.hell, I�m an English teacher, I�m not rich Smile

Should I press the school to send me something by regular mail in English? �We�re offering her a job in our country blah blah blah�?? They�ve been forthcoming so far, but are not really picking up on my concerns that I�d like to have something in English that I can show at my end and in Western Europe to explain why I�m travelling on a one-way ticket. Am I just being paranoid? Would it even be useful to have something like this, any more than a pre-purchased train ticket out of the country I�m arriving in? They have been okay and helpful so far, if a little disorganized, and I don�t want to risk irritating them if I am just overreacting.

Thanks in advance.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

One way tickets are not that uncommon. You aren't likely to have any problems. I will be flying on a one-way ticket myself in two weeks to Frankfurt, and will travel by train home to the Czech Republic. Am not anticipating any problems - have done this multiple times in the past. I do have a passport for the Czech Rep - but I've never been asked.

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

All the fear-mongering of "terror alerts" creates an aura of suspicion that makes everybody feel potentially guilty, even though we aren't guilty of anything. Very convenient for a government that wants to expand its power over its citizens.
Don't worry about it, if they ask you questions, tell the truth, and you should be fine.
What was it FDR said about fear...?

Charlesm_888 · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 48 Location: Hong Kong

If you get SSSS printed on your boarding pass then it means the system thinks you fit the profile and are a potential risk. All it means is when you go through security expect to be taken aside and well searched. But not to the extent that rubber gloves are used.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I don't think the issue in the original post had anything to do with fitting a terrorist profile - simply with whether flying on a one-way ticket would be any problem.

Unless you fit a terrorist profile, I repeat, flying into Europe on a one-way ticket is quite common and should cause no problems!!

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

Well, the reason it's a problem is because (fill in the blank).

coffeedrinker · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 149

Thanks for the replies � I�m feeling better about it all.

My concern was more general than specific�unfortunately I think that the mere fact that I have travelled lot (and have extra pages in my passport) and have mutliple travel and work/residence visas in my passport makes me stick out � in comparison to other Americans at least�and makes me unusual for whatever reason�and I don�t know that an abundance of reasons is necessary for someone to be harassed a little�

And of course, in my CELTA course, I learned to make an �anticipated problems� section in my plan� Wink

I�m mostly over it though now�
Thanks.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Really, don't worry. I've just had my passport replaced because there was literally not an inch left empty. I work on overseas projects for my uni, and I've been to a lot of places. And I commonly fly on one-way tickets, as I will be just coming up.
You are VERY unlikely to have any problems. Don't worry.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Then again, I flew to England again for about the 11th time (over 9 years and this on a return trip to the UK from Italy) and they asked me to show an ongoing ticket. You figure, they never seemed to have liked me, and yes, I have a few stamps in my passport as well, having lived in Asia the last 15 years. And no, my wife and I are still not planning to overstay (move if we could, my wife's dream).

So having a letter from the school sure wouldn't hurt, even beforethis current tightened security situation.