John,
>The interesting thing is that in Europe you can drive or train between countries with no immigration checks whatsoever. At the end of September I flew into Zurich, got picked up and driven across the French border, then drove into Germany, without anybody looking at my passport at any point. I'm told I look German which may contribute to it(!)

you were only told half of the story - you must look like a law-abiding german! Otherwise you run the chance of being frisked for cheap cigarettes (and sometimes fake brand merchandize including copies of CD's and DVD's) if you are coming from the east or being frisked for returning undeclared/untaxed assetes if coming in from west and south. Who cares for passports ?

regards

thomas