Green Forms vs E-Forms

You know, I thought it was impossible to beat the I-94 Visa Waiver Program forms - more commonly known as 'that green form you can't fill out correctly no matter how you fill it out - for overall complexity. For those of you who haven't travelled to the USA or through the USA, you have to fill out these hellish green forms, ensuring that you were not a member of the Nazi Government of Germany and to declare that you are not a terrorist. You can't fill it out correctly, no matter how you try.

However, this has now been replaced with an electronic form. This is easy. Or it would be if you can find it. Disappointingly, BA, who my ticket is with, have absolutely no information on their site about it reminding you to do this and how you do it.

Instead, you have to rely on your memory to know that you have to apply for 'Travel Authorization' as it's called. And buried somewhere on the Department for Homeland Security website is the form. Again, you have to know you're looking for it to find it, and when you do, you're taken through a labyrinth of pages to get to the right place.

When you actually get there, it's the same green form faithfully replicated in electronic format, and on a green background to retain the authenticity. At least you can't mis something. Overall, it's about level for complexity - electronic labyrinth versus hellish form designed so you miss something.

However, there's the counterbalance of this hassle with the sudden realisation that in two weeks' time I'll be on a plane to see Chrissi, so that's good news!