By Rick Adams, FRAeS
This year, for the first time in more than two decades, I will not be participating in the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) in Orlando, Florida – an event which I chaired for multiple years.
The reason? Onerous and intrusive US Government practices regarding social media for visitors from foreign countries.
For those who may be unaware, I am a Swiss citizen. And somewhat vocal about American and world events. The MAGA-inspired border practices pose the very real threat that I would be denied entry into the US.
It’s simply not worth the risk of being detained, harassed, and shipped back to my airport of origin. Or maybe to some other country, as has been the case with deported immigrants. Not to mention the cost of non-refundable transatlantic air tickets: about €1,800 or more.
Under a December 2025 proposal by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), travellers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries – the ones considered ‘friendliest’ to the US, like Switzerland and other European nations, would need to provide:
• Social media identifiers (user names and passwords) from the past 5 years
• Telephone numbers used over the last 5 years
• Email addresses used over the past 10 years
• Names and addresses of family members
Even though the DHS proposal is still technically ‘under review,’ and there has been considerable pushback, it could be implemented at any time. (A similar requirement for non-immigrant visa applicants such as fiancés of US citizens and cultural exchange participants took effect just last week.)
Indeed, the practice of checking selected travellers’ phones, electronics and social media began unofficially more than a year ago. Noteworthy rejections that made headlines included a Norwegian tourist and a French scientist (enroute to a professional conference) who had content on their phones the US border agent considered objectionable, such as a cartoon meme of JD Vance. (Prior to WATS 2025, three engineers from Europe who were scheduled to speak told me they were detained for hours in the Philadelphia airport before being released.)
Last year, having read about the deported French scientist, I purchased an inexpensive laptop for the trip to Orlando, one that was devoid of documents. I also spent three days thoroughly scrubbing my phone of social media which might be perceived as “a threat to public safety and national security,” such as satire of Trump. I did it out of deference to my professional responsibility to be at the conference.
This year, I am no longer willing to give up my free speech rights to protest US Administration policies and illegal or corrupt actions.
Certainly I will miss many things about WATS: the impromptu discussions from bumping into an old friend in the hallway; the buzz around a new technology; the enthusiasm of the cabin crew sessions; the Heads of Training meeting – when it was more free-flowing; the amazing breakfast buffet in Cafe Osceola; the carts lined up for the golf tournament; the quiet dinners with since-retired colleagues Chris Lehman and Jeff Loube; and the near-boundless energy and good spirits of the Halldale behind-the-scenes team.
I certainly won’t miss the hassle of transiting through chaotic airports, non-descript airline food, Florida humidity and banality, nor the late nights and early mornings of the event.
To those who are planning to attend WATS 2026, I wish you hassle-free border-crossings, good food, meeting friends old and new, and a safe journey home.