I have provide in details all the information which I think any first time visitor to US should know. Being prepared always helps you in having a trouble free and enjoyable travel.
1) What documents you must carry - Passport/Visa - Airline e-ticket copy - Visitor insurance details - Cash - Just to be on the safer side, carry some documents sent by Sponsor (like Maneesh's passport/visa copy, Affidavit of support, invitation letters). Do not carry the entire pile as it will make your hand baggage very heavy. :)
2) Check visa stamp please check the visa stamp to ensure correctness of the following: • Name is spelt correctly, exactly as in passport. Given name in India is first name in US. Surname in India is last name in US. Many times, in South India, passport office puts entire name in either the given name or the surname field. If your entire name is written in given name or surname field, US visa office will put that entire name in the last name field in the visa and put FNU (First Name Unknown) in the first name field. And that's OK, there is no problem with that. • Date of birth and gender (Male, Female) are correct. • Date of issue and date of expiry are correct. • Photograph is correct. • Visa type is correct: It should be B1/B2 for visitor visa or business visa. • Check whether the entries is 'S' or 'M'. 'S' means single entry and 'M' means multiple entry. If you have multiple entry, it means that you can enter USA multiple times until the visa expires.
If you have any affidavits related to name changes (as is the case with Amma, it is better to carry a copy of the same with you) Please note that even if you get single entry visa, you can still go to Niagara Falls on Canada side and come back to USA. According to the visa officer on the Niagara border, single entry or multiple entry matters when you go outside North America and want to come back to USA. If any of the information is incorrect, please contact the US embassy or consulate or visa application center immediately to get it corrected.
There is seems to be confusion among visitors regarding validity of visa stamp vs. duration of stay in USA. Please note that US visa stamp is used only to enter United States. The duration you can stay in USA is determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry. Even if you enter United States on last day of validity of visa stamp, you may be granted 6 months stay. Duration of stay is determined by the date in I-94 form at the time of entry into United States.
If you get 10 years multiple entry visa, you can come to United States any time during those 10 years. There is no restriction to start your travel within specified period such as 6 months of getting initial visa.
Multiple entry visa also allows to you leave US one day and return right back to US on next day. There is no specific period for which you have to stay out of US before you can enter US again. But if you try to enter US too many times, or try to spend most of your time in US by stringing visits together, immigration officer at port of entry may suspect your true intentions and may deny your entry into United States. While coming again to United States next time, you don't have to prepare any documents or send any affidavit of support again. You can just buy air ticket, Visitor Medical Insurance[1] and come to US.
3) Air tickets Please carry a copy at all times. Atleast a week before the flight call British Airways local office and confirm all details once more.
4) Visitor Medical Insurance We will be buying visitor insurance for you shortly in the US, and you will be receiving the details via email. The insurance will generally start the day before the date of travel.
5) Foreign Currency Split the thousand dollars between you and Amma as a security measure. If possible please carry 25 cents coins (also know as quarters). These are very handy if you need to make a call or get a luggage cart or any such thing.
6) Medical Needs - If you wear spectacles, you should note down the specification of your lenses in case you need to replace them in US. If you have an extra pair of spectacles, carry it with you. If you wear contact lenses instead, you should carry at least one extra pair with you. You should also carry necessary eye drops, ointments, lens cleaner solution etc. with you. - If you are regularly taking some medicines, you should get the full stock of medicines enough for entire duration of your stay in US. You can get common basic medicines without prescription and over the counter in pharmacies for common problems such as cough, cold, headache, mild fever etc. But if you require prescription for the medicine, pharmacy will not give it you unless you have prescription from US doctor. Prescription from foreign doctor is not acceptable at a US pharmacy. Also please note that if you are carrying any medicines that contain narcotic drugs or are addictive, you should get a doctor's certificate saying that it is medically necessary else you may run into serious problems at customs. - It is best to get a thorough check up of your body before traveling to US, to avoid any surprise while your visit. You can also ask the doctor about traveling precautions and make the list of all medicines and their compositions as you will not find the same brand of medicines in USA. - If you have problems while traveling such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, ear pain etc, you should consult your doctor before traveling and get the appropriate medicines to take care of it. - During take-off and landing, the cabin pressure changes which may cause ear blocking and ear pain. This may be relieved by chewing gum, or by opening your mouth widely as if you were yawning. Carry candies to chew and some cotton balls to stuff your ears, as they are not provided in most of the international flights. - If you need to carry insulin syringe, please carry prescription from the doctor. Please keep a tab on the time, so that you do not miss any dosage. If you have to take a dosage during the flight, please do so after the "seatbelt sign" has been turned off. Carry enough insulin for a week or so, put the rest in Checked-in baggage. - Similarly Amma should carry all neccesary inhalers/medicines in her hand baggage if possible in her purse. Such medications should be acccessible at all times - Due to changes in air pressure and temperature, you may develop stuffy/runny nose. It is advisable to keep some nasal drops or other cold medicines and some tissues handy. Again, for any medications you are carrying it is always better to have a clear prescription. - It is very important to get up, walk around or stretch yourself once every few hours to prevent your legs and body from going numb. Going to the toilet therefore is a good exercise. (If you get an "aisle" seat it is good, but suppose you get a window seat, you will have to wake the person next to you if you have to go to the toilet. This is perfectly OK and most people dont mind. But If he/she shows irritation, politely ask them if they would like to exchange seats with you) - Please drink lots of fluids. You can ask for fruit juice/water any time. Do not wait for lunch/dinner time.
7) Luggage All passengers are allowed one Hand-Baggage and two pieces of checked-in Baggage. Hand Baggage should be a bag no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm . Ideally it should not weigh more than 7-10 kg. You must be able to lift your bag unaided into the aircraft overhead locker. But please take the assistance of the flight attendant, to avoid any back sprains. Do not take sharp objects such as scissors, knife , nail cutter, tweezers etc in your hand baggage that will be confiscated at security. If you have to carry insulin, rubbing alcohol or any liquid medicines, please carry then in a clear bag so that it is visible during security check. Also carry prescription for these in you hand baggage. DO NOT carry any food items in your hand baggage. Your hand baggage should essentially have two pair of under garments, one pair of socks, one change of clothes, one small towel , toothbrush and documents. ( do not carry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sprays, perfumes etc) The idea of hand baggage is that even in the case of the checked-in luggage being delayed or misplaced or in any other contingency, you should be able to manage well with just your hand baggage. Both you and Amma should have a hand baggage of your own. Note to Amma: Do not carry jewelry or any unneccesary valuables. Just wear whatever jewelry requiredd and that should be it.
Checked-in Baggage - At the time of check-in they will take these bags and return it to you at the final destination (San Fransisco) directly. You will not see these bags anywhere in between. Total linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each checked in baggage must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) and weight of each bag must not exceed 23 kgs (50 pounds). Some important things to keep in mind : - Don't pack any valuables in your checked baggage. - Remember that you won't have access to your checked baggage on board the flight. - No single bag may weigh more than 23kg/50lbs - Label your bags with your name and destination address - get free baggage labels at the airport - Also label each bag on the inside with your name and US home address - Make sure there are no loose straps or other items hanging from the bag
What you need to pack - atleast 6 pair of shirts and trousers, a pair of sweaters, shoes/sandals. California weather is warm in March but nevertheless first time visitors might feel a bit chilly in the airplane and also at London and San Fransisco. (San Fransisco is always cooler than Cupertino or south bay since it is close to the Bay). So it is always safe to carry some thermals, sweater etc to keep u warm during the journey. No need for heavy fur coats or any such thing. Once you are here we can always buy more woolens/clothes if required . The main idea is to keep the head, ears, chest, feet and hand warm at all times. Do not carry unnecessary things like soap, shampoo, blankets etc. Do not carry an food items. You may at the most get a box of Dharwad pedha if the box is properly sealed. If at San Fransisco the immigration officer ask if you have any food items, you can say "I just have a box of Indian candies". Despite that, if he inspects and decides to discard it, please comply.
8) Airport security
- After check in, go immediately through security. At busy times of the day, at some airports, you may have to queue. - Allow extra time to go through security checks at the airport. You must get to your gate on time or you may not be allowed to fly. - Minimise your hand baggage so that you travel light and comfortable. - Your hand baggage will be checked by security staff using x-ray machinery - Do not carry packages with unidentified contents on behalf of other people. Also watch your baggage at all time. Do no touch any unidentified baggage. - You may lock your bags but you may be required to remove the key during security checck, immigration check etc ..so keep the key handy at all times. - In some rare instances you may be required/asked to identify or claim your baggage, for security or local customs reasons, at the connecting point.
8) At the Port Of Entry In your case the Port of Entry is San Fransisco. This is where the immigration and customs check will happen. All visitors to United States would be fingerprinted and photographed under a program called US-VISIT[10]
9) Here's all the necessary contact phone numbers, Please carry it with you.
Address were you will be staying (This is the address you will fill in the 1-94 form) :
Basically ,here are the sequential steps that will happen once you arrive at the airport. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check in. Attach small sticker/tag to baggage indicating your final destination address. Your Check-in only bags (not hand baggage) will be screened under X-ray machine and they will put stamp on the baggage tag. Go to your Airline counter. And show your Passport, Tickets. Tell them again about your vegetarian food, seat preference, assistance at Heathrow and non-smoking area.They will weigh your baggage. Ask them if baggage is also flying to final destination on the same airline. Counter person will give you Boarding Pass with Baggage Sticker and passport / tickets back. Keep these documents safe. They'll tell you the Gate Number (Gate is where plane is parked). Now in your possession you have only hand baggage with the documents. They will also give you the form called Embarkation form. Once you clear the security check and go inside you cannot come out. So if you want to spend sometime Anna or talk do so before you enter security check. Carry atleast 1000 Rs indian currency with you. just in case you want to have some breakfast/tea or want to make an india call or so. (2) Stand in the line for Immigration Check of Indian National. You should go when they call you. There will be a Police Officer sitting there. Go immediately once they call you and keep your handbag above/near your seat. They will ask for your passport and ask some questions about your journey and purpose. (Please keep a watch on the passports at all time, even when you have handed it to an official) You can ask at the counter where to go next or you will be directed. (3) CUSTOMS Check. They will ask if if you have anything to declare. You normally won't have anything to declare, just clothes and personal belongings. Then ask at the counter where to go next. Generally they will ask you to proceed to the Gate. (4) Proceed towards the Gate Number they gave you at Check-in time. Gate number is also on the Boarding Pass. If you are not sure ask any airport officer or at any counter. (5) Last step, Boarding. Here they will scan every person (gents and ladies separate) and X-say their hand baggage. Then wait in a hall till they make announcement for Boarding. (Carry a book or magazine so that you dont get bored waiting in the boarding area.) (6) In flight - It is always a good practice to pay attention to any in flight announcements, safety training etc. All the announcements are in English and also in the official language of the country of the airline. If you didn't hear anything clearly or did not understand something feel free to ask flight attendant or a neighbor. If there is some turbulence etc they may ask everyone to return to their seats , put seat belts on etc. This is very common and there is no need to panic. Be friendly with co-passengers but do not divulge any important information that they can misuse. Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible. They will bring food to you every now and then. You don't have to finish everything. Just eat what you like. But don't be hungry. You can always ask for something to drink or eat like an extra fruit or salad. Some airline may charge a little extra but dont worry pay for it. Nothing should come in the way of preserving your health. For vegetarian food - watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. In that case, even if you have opened it or eaten from it, just tell the flight attendant that there has been a mistake and they will replace it for you. Veg. Food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. Drink plenty of fluids. (7) Immigration - Before landing in San Fransisco, you will have to fill two forms, namely I-94 Arrival/Departure Record[5] and Customs form[6]. Both of the forms will be given by flight attendant prior to landing in US. Fill these forms in only capital letters. Wherever they mention TYPE or PRINT, it means write in capital letters. Fill one I-94 form for each person. Fill only one customs forms for the whole family.
The lower portion of I-94 will be given back to you and it should be kept in Passport. It is an important piece of document since it is required while returning back to India. On the reverse side of the 1-94 the office will ask you to sign. Both you and Amma will have to sign the respective forms
(8) Baggage claim - Try to acquire some 25 cent coins (called "quarters"), which you may need for getting a trolley cart for your baggage and also for making telephone calls etc. Thereafter, move toward the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight, simply follow the signs directing you to the place. Collect your luggage and look for signs directing you to customs clearance. At the customs clearance they may ask you to open your bags for a security check/verification
(9) Customs check - Customs Push your trolley towards customs. Customs officer is going to ask you what you are bringing in. You answer would normally be clothes and personal belongings. If they ask to open the bag, just co-operate. They are mainly looking for drugs etc. The officer will stamp on your form and keep it with him. Now you are free to go. Follow signs for Ground Transportation. Walk out of closest door with the baggage and trolleys. And say to yourself "WELCOME TO USA" !
(10) Meeting point - Maneesh and me will be there waiting at the "Arrival" area, if you do not see us, do not walk around. Stay put for 30 mins or so. Even in the rarest of rare scenarios where we still don't find each other call from the nearest phone booth. I will give more details about the meeting point over phone.
Some "good to know" things : ----------------------------------------------------
1) Ask - NEVER hesitate to ask questions. Usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India. Keep your questions very simple. Also ALWAYS, keep you answers very simple. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Ask what to do next at all the counters. See sign/directions. Be on time. Once out of India, be a little more careful and be calm and collected at all times. No need to be anxious or stressed out. After all you are just a visitor, you don't have any hard and fast deadlines, so please relax and take it easy. You will always see signs/direction/maps about where you want to go.
2) Escalator - Using Escalators or Moving Staircases can be scary, in case you have not used them before. You should not be afraid of these. Trick of getting on Escalator is to make sure that your foot is over only one step and not over two steps. Trick of getting off is to keep one foot lifted and ready to walk. When Escalator ends, put down lifted foot and start walking. Normally there is always a plain staircase as an alternative.
3) For international flight reach the airport atleast 3 hrs in advance, so that there is no need for any hurry.
4) FDA Enforcement Policy Regarding the Personal Importation of Violative Drugs -
The FDA has developed guidance entitled "Coverage of Personal Importations" which sets forth the FDA enforcement priorities with respect to the personal importation of unapproved new drugs by individuals for their personal use. Under this guidance, as an exercise of enforcement discretion, FDA may allow an individual entering the United States to import a three month supply of an unapproved drug if all of the following conditions are met: - The intended use of the drug is for a serious condition for which effective treatment may not be available domestically; - The drug will not be distributed commercially by the importer; - The product is considered not to represent an unreasonable risk; - The individual seeking to import the product affirms in writing that the drug is for the patient's own use and provides the name and address of the doctor licensed in the United States responsible for his or her treatment with the product, or provides evidence that the product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign country. (This is generally not done , mostly done in case where the drug contains banned substances like heroin, marijuana etc)
Please let me know if you need any further information,
1 comment:
More details
I have provide in details all the information which I think any first
time visitor to US should know. Being prepared always helps you in having a
trouble free and enjoyable travel.
1) What documents you must carry
- Passport/Visa
- Airline e-ticket copy
- Visitor insurance details
- Cash
- Just to be on the safer side, carry some documents sent by Sponsor
(like Maneesh's passport/visa copy, Affidavit of support, invitation
letters). Do not carry the entire pile as it will make your hand
baggage very heavy. :)
2) Check visa stamp
please check the visa stamp to ensure correctness of the following:
• Name is spelt correctly, exactly as in passport. Given name in
India is first name in US. Surname in India is last name in US. Many
times, in South India, passport office puts entire name in either the
given name or the surname field. If your entire name is written in
given name or surname field, US visa office will put that entire name
in the last name field in the visa and put FNU (First Name Unknown) in
the first name field. And that's OK, there is no problem with that.
• Date of birth and gender (Male, Female) are correct.
• Date of issue and date of expiry are correct.
• Photograph is correct.
• Visa type is correct: It should be B1/B2 for visitor visa or
business visa.
• Check whether the entries is 'S' or 'M'. 'S' means single entry and
'M' means multiple entry. If you have multiple entry, it means that
you can enter USA multiple times until the visa expires.
If you have any affidavits related to name changes (as is the case
with Amma, it is better to carry a copy of the same with you)
Please
note that even if you get single entry visa, you can still go to
Niagara Falls on Canada side and come back to USA. According to the
visa officer on the Niagara border, single entry or multiple entry
matters when you go outside North America and want to come back to
USA.
If any of the information is incorrect, please contact the US embassy
or consulate or visa application center immediately to get it
corrected.
There is seems to be confusion among visitors regarding validity of
visa stamp vs. duration of stay in USA.
Please note that US visa stamp is used only to enter United States.
The duration you can stay in USA is determined by the immigration
officer at the port of entry. Even if you enter United States on last
day of validity of visa stamp, you may be granted 6 months stay.
Duration of stay is determined by the date in I-94 form at the time of
entry into United States.
If you get 10 years multiple entry visa, you can come to United States
any time during those 10 years. There is no restriction to start your
travel within specified period such as 6 months of getting initial
visa.
Multiple entry visa also allows to you leave US one day and return
right back to US on next day. There is no specific period for which
you have to stay out of US before you can enter US again. But if you
try to enter US too many times, or try to spend most of your time in
US by stringing visits together, immigration officer at port of entry
may suspect your true intentions and may deny your entry into United
States. While coming again to United States next time, you don't have
to prepare any documents or send any affidavit of support again. You
can just buy air ticket, Visitor Medical Insurance[1] and come to US.
3) Air tickets
Please carry a copy at all times. Atleast a week before the
flight call British Airways local office and confirm all details once
more.
4) Visitor Medical Insurance
We will be buying visitor insurance for you shortly in the US, and
you will be receiving the details via email. The insurance will
generally start the day before the date of travel.
5) Foreign Currency
Split the thousand dollars between you and Amma as a security
measure. If possible please carry 25 cents coins (also know as
quarters). These are very handy if you need to make a call or get a
luggage cart or any such thing.
6) Medical Needs
- If you wear spectacles, you should note down the specification of
your lenses in case you need to replace them in US. If you have an
extra pair of spectacles, carry it with you. If you wear contact
lenses instead, you should carry at least one extra pair with you. You
should also carry necessary eye drops, ointments, lens cleaner
solution etc. with you.
- If you are regularly taking some medicines, you should get the full
stock of medicines enough for entire duration of your stay in US. You
can get common basic medicines without prescription and over the
counter in pharmacies for common problems such as cough, cold,
headache, mild fever etc. But if you require prescription for the
medicine, pharmacy will not give it you unless you have prescription
from US doctor. Prescription from foreign doctor is not acceptable at
a US pharmacy. Also please note that if you are carrying any medicines
that contain narcotic drugs or are addictive, you should get a
doctor's certificate saying that it is medically necessary else you
may run into serious problems at customs.
- It is best to get a thorough check up of your body before traveling
to US, to avoid any surprise while your visit. You can also ask the
doctor about traveling precautions and make the list of all medicines
and their compositions as you will not find the same brand of
medicines in USA.
- If you have problems while traveling such as nausea, dizziness,
vomiting, ear pain etc, you should consult your doctor before
traveling and get the appropriate medicines to take care of it.
- During take-off and landing, the cabin pressure changes which may
cause ear blocking and ear pain. This may be relieved by chewing gum,
or by opening your mouth widely as if you were yawning. Carry candies
to chew and some cotton balls to stuff your ears, as they are not
provided in most of the international flights.
- If you need to carry insulin syringe, please carry prescription
from the doctor. Please keep a tab on the time, so that you do not
miss any dosage. If you have to take a dosage during the flight,
please do so after the "seatbelt sign" has been turned off. Carry
enough insulin for a week or so, put the rest in Checked-in baggage.
- Similarly Amma should carry all neccesary inhalers/medicines
in her hand baggage if possible in her purse. Such medications should
be acccessible at all times
- Due to changes in air pressure and temperature, you may develop
stuffy/runny nose. It is advisable to keep some nasal drops or other
cold medicines and some tissues handy. Again, for any medications you
are carrying it is always better to have a clear prescription.
- It is very important to get up, walk around or stretch yourself
once every few hours to prevent your legs and body from going numb.
Going to the toilet therefore is a good exercise. (If you get an
"aisle" seat it is good, but suppose you get a window seat, you will
have to wake the person next to you if you have to go to the toilet.
This is perfectly OK and most people dont mind. But If he/she shows
irritation, politely ask them if they would like to exchange seats
with you)
- Please drink lots of fluids. You can ask for fruit juice/water any
time. Do not wait for lunch/dinner time.
7) Luggage
All passengers are allowed one Hand-Baggage and two pieces of
checked-in Baggage.
Hand Baggage should be a bag no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm .
Ideally it should not weigh more than 7-10 kg. You must be able to
lift your bag unaided into the aircraft overhead locker. But please
take the assistance of the flight attendant, to avoid any back
sprains.
Do not take sharp objects such as scissors, knife , nail cutter,
tweezers etc in your hand baggage that will be confiscated at
security.
If you have to carry insulin, rubbing alcohol or any liquid
medicines, please carry then in a clear bag so that it is visible
during security check. Also carry prescription for these in you hand
baggage. DO NOT carry any food items in your hand baggage.
Your hand baggage should essentially have two pair of under garments,
one pair of socks, one change of clothes, one small towel , toothbrush
and documents. ( do not carry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sprays,
perfumes etc) The idea of hand baggage is that even in the case of the
checked-in luggage being delayed or misplaced or in any other
contingency, you should be able to manage well with just your hand
baggage.
Both you and Amma should have a hand baggage of your own.
Note to Amma: Do not carry jewelry or any unneccesary valuables. Just
wear whatever jewelry requiredd and that should be it.
Checked-in Baggage - At the time of check-in they will take these
bags and return it to you at the final destination (San Fransisco)
directly. You will not see these bags anywhere in between. Total
linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each checked in baggage
must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) and weight of each bag must not
exceed 23 kgs (50 pounds).
Some important things to keep in mind :
- Don't pack any valuables in your checked baggage.
- Remember that you won't have access to your checked baggage on
board the flight.
- No single bag may weigh more than 23kg/50lbs
- Label your bags with your name and destination address - get free
baggage labels at the airport
- Also label each bag on the inside with your name and US home address
- Make sure there are no loose straps or other items hanging
from the bag
What you need to pack - atleast 6 pair of shirts and trousers, a pair
of sweaters, shoes/sandals. California weather is warm in March but
nevertheless first time visitors might feel a bit chilly in the
airplane and also at London and San Fransisco. (San Fransisco is
always cooler than Cupertino or south bay since it is close to the
Bay). So it is always safe to carry some thermals, sweater etc to keep
u warm during the journey. No need for heavy fur coats or any such
thing. Once you are here we can always buy more woolens/clothes if
required .
The main idea is to keep the head, ears, chest, feet and hand warm at all times.
Do not carry unnecessary things like soap, shampoo, blankets etc. Do
not carry an food items. You may at the most get a box of Dharwad
pedha if the box is properly sealed. If at San Fransisco the
immigration officer ask if you have any food items, you can say "I
just have a box of Indian candies". Despite that, if he inspects and
decides to discard it, please comply.
8) Airport security
- After check in, go immediately through security. At busy times of
the day, at some airports, you may have to queue.
- Allow extra time to go through security checks at the airport. You
must get to your gate on time or you may not be allowed to fly.
- Minimise your hand baggage so that you travel light and comfortable.
- Your hand baggage will be checked by security staff using x-ray machinery
- Do not carry packages with unidentified contents on behalf of other
people. Also watch your baggage at all time. Do no touch any
unidentified baggage.
- You may lock your bags but you may be required to remove the key
during security checck, immigration check etc ..so keep the key handy
at all times.
- In some rare instances you may be required/asked to identify or
claim your baggage, for security or local customs reasons, at the
connecting point.
8) At the Port Of Entry
In your case the Port of Entry is San Fransisco. This is where the
immigration and customs check will happen.
All visitors to United States would be fingerprinted and photographed
under a program called US-VISIT[10]
9) Here's all the necessary contact phone numbers, Please carry it with you.
Address were you will be staying (This is the address you will fill
in the 1-94 form) :
Basically ,here are the sequential steps that will happen once you
arrive at the airport.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check in. Attach small sticker/tag to baggage indicating your
final destination address. Your Check-in only bags (not hand baggage)
will be screened under X-ray machine and they will put stamp on the
baggage tag.
Go to your Airline counter. And show your Passport, Tickets. Tell them
again about your vegetarian food, seat preference, assistance at
Heathrow and non-smoking area.They will weigh your baggage. Ask them
if baggage is also flying to final destination on the same airline.
Counter person will give you Boarding Pass with Baggage Sticker and
passport / tickets back. Keep these documents safe. They'll tell you
the Gate Number (Gate is where plane is parked). Now in your
possession you have only hand baggage with the documents.
They will also give you the form called Embarkation form.
Once you clear the security check and go inside you cannot come
out. So if you want to spend sometime Anna or talk do so before you
enter security check. Carry atleast 1000 Rs indian currency with you.
just in case you want to have some breakfast/tea or want to make an
india call or so.
(2) Stand in the line for Immigration Check of Indian National. You
should go when they call you. There will be a Police Officer sitting
there. Go immediately once they call you and keep your handbag
above/near your seat. They will ask for your passport and ask some
questions about your journey and purpose. (Please keep a watch on the
passports at all time, even when you have handed it to an official)
You can ask at the counter where to go next or you will be directed.
(3) CUSTOMS Check. They will ask if if you have anything to declare.
You normally won't have anything to declare, just clothes and personal
belongings. Then ask at the counter where to go next. Generally they
will ask you to proceed to the Gate.
(4) Proceed towards the Gate Number they gave you at Check-in time.
Gate number is also on the Boarding Pass. If you are not sure ask any
airport officer or at any counter.
(5) Last step, Boarding. Here they will scan every person (gents
and ladies separate) and X-say their hand baggage. Then wait in a hall
till they make announcement for Boarding.
(Carry a book or magazine so that you dont get bored waiting in the
boarding area.)
(6) In flight - It is always a good practice to pay attention to
any in flight announcements, safety training etc. All the
announcements are in English and also in the official language of the
country of the airline. If you didn't hear anything clearly or did not
understand something feel free to ask flight attendant or a neighbor.
If there is some turbulence etc they may ask everyone to return to
their seats , put seat belts on etc. This is very common and there is
no need to panic.
Be friendly with co-passengers but do not divulge any important
information that they can misuse.
Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible. They will bring
food to you every now and then. You don't have to finish everything.
Just eat what you like. But don't be hungry. You can always ask for
something to drink or eat like an extra fruit or salad. Some airline
may charge a little extra but dont worry pay for it. Nothing should
come in the way of preserving your health. For vegetarian food -
watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked
for veg. In that case, even if you have opened it or eaten from it,
just tell the flight attendant that there has been a mistake and they
will replace it for you. Veg. Food is generally bland - fruits/juice
are good choices. Drink plenty of fluids.
(7) Immigration - Before landing in San Fransisco, you will have to
fill two forms, namely I-94 Arrival/Departure Record[5] and Customs
form[6]. Both of the forms will be given by flight attendant prior to
landing in US. Fill these forms in only capital letters. Wherever they
mention TYPE or PRINT, it means write in capital letters. Fill one
I-94 form for each person. Fill only one customs forms for the whole
family.
The lower portion of I-94 will be given back to you and it should be
kept in Passport. It is an important piece of document since it is
required while returning back to India. On the reverse side of the
1-94 the office will ask you to sign.
Both you and Amma will have to sign the respective forms
(8) Baggage claim - Try to acquire some 25 cent coins (called
"quarters"), which you may need for getting a trolley cart for your
baggage and also for making telephone calls etc. Thereafter, move
toward the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight, simply
follow the signs directing you to the place. Collect your luggage and
look for signs directing you to customs clearance. At the customs
clearance they may ask you to open your bags for a security
check/verification
(9) Customs check - Customs
Push your trolley towards customs. Customs officer is going to ask you
what you are bringing in. You answer would normally be clothes and
personal belongings. If they ask to open the bag, just co-operate.
They are mainly looking for drugs etc. The officer will stamp on your
form and keep it with him. Now you are free to go. Follow signs for
Ground Transportation. Walk out of closest door with the baggage and
trolleys.
And say to yourself "WELCOME TO USA" !
(10) Meeting point - Maneesh and me will be there waiting at the
"Arrival" area, if you do not see us, do not walk around. Stay put for
30 mins or so. Even in the rarest of rare scenarios where we still
don't find each other call from the nearest phone booth.
I will give more details about the meeting point over phone.
Some "good to know" things :
----------------------------------------------------
1) Ask - NEVER hesitate to ask questions. Usually they will answer all
your queries properly - very different from India. Keep your questions
very simple. Also ALWAYS, keep you answers very simple. If required
don't hesitate to spend money. Ask what to do next at all the
counters. See sign/directions. Be on time. Once out of India, be a
little more careful and be calm and collected at all times. No need
to be anxious or stressed out. After all you are just a visitor, you
don't have any hard and fast deadlines, so please relax and take it
easy.
You will always see signs/direction/maps about where you want to go.
2) Escalator - Using Escalators or Moving Staircases can be scary, in
case you have not used them before. You should not be afraid of these.
Trick of getting on Escalator is to make sure that your foot is over
only one step and not over two steps. Trick of getting off is to keep
one foot lifted and ready to walk. When Escalator ends, put down
lifted foot and start walking. Normally there is always a plain
staircase as an alternative.
3) For international flight reach the airport atleast 3 hrs in
advance, so that there is no need for any hurry.
4) FDA Enforcement Policy Regarding the Personal Importation of
Violative Drugs -
The FDA has developed guidance entitled "Coverage of Personal
Importations" which sets forth the FDA enforcement priorities with
respect to the personal importation of unapproved new drugs by
individuals for their personal use. Under this guidance, as an
exercise of enforcement discretion, FDA may allow an individual
entering the United States to import a three month supply of an
unapproved drug if all of the following conditions are met:
- The intended use of the drug is for a serious condition for which
effective treatment may not be available domestically;
- The drug will not be distributed commercially by the importer;
- The product is considered not to represent an unreasonable risk;
- The individual seeking to import the product affirms in writing that
the drug is for the patient's own use and provides the name and
address of the doctor licensed in the United States responsible for
his or her treatment with the product, or provides evidence that the
product is for the continuation of a treatment begun in a foreign
country. (This is generally not done , mostly done in case where the
drug contains banned substances like heroin, marijuana etc)
Please let me know if you need any further information,
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