If you're in a plane, and it stops to refuel in a country en-route, can you say you've been to that country?

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Penfold

No. You are still in transit as if you are still flying and stopped in a location for reasons defined by your carrier. Legally, you have not entered a country or region until you have passed border control (immigration/customs/security etc) of that port allowing you entry into that country or region. Ethically and morally, the convention between travellers is that you have not visited any region or country until you have legally entered the region, left your mode of transport and experienced something of that region. A plane refuelling stop or driving nonstop through a country would not normally be counted as a visit to that country.

averagebear

Sure, you can always say it to friends if you think that's something to talk about. But then when they ask for details about what it's like, you are forced to admit you never got off the plane, which will make you seem really goofy, and people will downgrade everything you say from then on.

And you really cannot list that country as a country you visited on your customs form where it asks you "what countries did you visit on this trip?" Customs agents don't react well to these things.

tammipup

I don't THINK so, - not OFFICIALLY, anyway!

Having SAID that, the town of PRESTWICK, in Scotland, still PRIDES itself, on the FACT, that, - in MARCH, 1960, - as he flew back, to the USA, from GERMANY, - an aircraft landed, in order to take on, more FUEL, and, - from that aeroplane, - emanated the personage, that WAS, - IS, - and, WILL ALWAYS BE, - the late, great, "USGI 53310761", - a certain ELVIS AARON PRESLEY!

So much SO, that, - having SEEN it, - I can ASSURE you, of the fact, that the authorities, - almost at ONCE, - ordered the putting up, of a COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE!

So, those detractors, who claim that "THE KING" never CAME to the UK, are, - in fact, - ABSOLUTELY, - and, UTTERLY, - INCORRECT!

Wildman

Although technically you've been to that country, you've not actually stepped foot in it or been through passport control. I would say no, you've not really been.

Clive

I think that you really should get as far as the transit lounge to say that you have visited a country.

MotherMILF_1965

I wouldn't say you've been to that country. It's like if my family goes on vacation, just because we drive thru a state doesn't mean we've been there before. My family only counts states we've been too based on whether we did something there or not, and stayed overnight.

Do you understand what I'm saying? Sorry if it's confusing.

thumberlina

Definately not - how can you say that?

You can say you stopped there - but you haven't been there.
To have been there would have been to experience the country, see the sights, meet the people...etc

sawatdee

i often wondered that, i wish i had asked that too, have a star, looking forward to your answers, does that mean i have been to uzbekistan and do i realy want to admit that?

george c

No you can't as the plane you are on is not subject to there rules .
unless you are allowed to leave the plane while refulling and enter the terminal building

johnmarazanni

well, technically you have been in that country on the ground etc. etc. so yeah you have, but it wouldnt mean that you have visited in the sense been there and done whatever and what people consider a "visit", a holiday/trip.

nutwpinut

I would not list it as a country I visited. What is the point if you can't experience the country. I have been to several Asian countries' transit airports and don't consider to have visited it.

Brite Tiger

A qualified yes, you can sy that you've been to country "C" as longs as you provide the details, i.e. only at the airport for refueling.

Servette

If it makes you happy to say that you went to more places than your friends. Fine. And they will ask you to prove it.

I don't see the big deal for this question.

ALOPILOT

As a pilot, I can say that you are under that country's laws while you are on the ground in that nation... therefore, yes, you have been subject to their laws and you have been in the counrtry... Technically, you are in a different nation even if you fly over it... most everyone does not count that, but you are in thier jurisdiction and if they order you to land, you must do so...

I do, makes it sound like you've been to more places!

Fast & Furious

I think that unless you pass through customs/ immigration you are deemed in 'no man's land' and not yet in that particular country.

Pink Laydee

Yeah i dont see why not because you have actually stopped there.

imdashti

Yes you can say that, even if the door is not open.

juddthestud1987

I'd say yes, because technically your vehicle has been on the ground that is part of that country. Same concept with the driving question, because you are within that nation's borders

conk

Yeah of course, i did. On way back to Britain from lanzarote we stopped at Portugal to refuel. We didn't get out but the door was open!

joekick@$$

yes,it wasnt a dream was it

Lord Robbie

When leaving a room you must say "Catch you on the beach"

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