NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[Kelvan 0]

Kim and Russ, it's awesome that things are moving fast for you two!

I'm back in Auckland now. Boy did those three weeks in the US go by fast.

[cdneh 3,112]

Kim and Russ, it's awesome that things are moving fast for you two!

I'm back in Auckland now. Boy did those three weeks in the US go by fast.

They do don't they! I'm convinced time goes by faster somehow when you are together...some strange kind of time warp or something. I think it's a great pity time apart doesn't seem to move at that speed

[KimandRuss 0]

Did they mention anything about the 1-134 or want to look at Kims original birth certificate at all?

Once again congratulations! It's been a long wait for you guys but you will be together very very soon!!!!!!!!!

Hi Guys this is Russ, here i thought i had killed the forum by posting, good to see things are moving again

to anwser your question kiwiana, they didn't ask for any of kims original documents at all, i asked them and they said they didn't need to see them, but i had them just incase, it really is a case of being prepared for anything that might pop up. i was told that they had seen all her original documents when she filed the petition so it wasn't required, but i did ask just to make sure . As for the I-134, all the lady really did with that is take it from me and order in a slightly different way, Kim had labeled everything with postits and although they were a little dog earred from all the travelling they had done she still unrolled them to see what Kim had wrote, so yeah they seemed to like how prepared kim has been with it all. shes so cute

as for shawn and lu's post, it really does pay to have that extra time in LA, but i am just too impatient , i had a similar experience with going through LAX, i had an hour delay in Auckland sitting on the ground while the rebalanced the plane (i mean comon you can't fill the plane balanced to begin with?.... its not the first time they had loaded a plane surely ) needless to say an hour to get through LAX..... not fun, but i managed to do it in 45 mins, i asked when i landed and kept on asking. a trick i learnt from that trip was to go to business class if economy lines are full, for one they aren't busy and would probably enjoy your story, and secondly they are usually the more experienced staff on any airline (i.e. they know the ins and out of the airport and all the things that need to be done). i managed to find an airline rep that walked me to the head of the x-ray que, i definately wouldn't have made it otherwise. i've done the trip ummm about 6-7 times now, and have never missed a flight yet, heres knocking on wood that this isn't the first .

just two days now

i have three different flights to take before i get to boston, and i was telling kim that each flight i will get happier and happier

ok well good luck guys,

next time i post i will be in heaven

Russ

[kiwiana 2]

ShawnandLu: Welcome home! What a great feeling it must be to know that you don't have to leave again!

I can never seem to sleep on the planes no matter which airline i travel when visiting my SO. I am usually too excited to sleep

This year the Qantas plane i was travelling on, to LA, was delayed for 8 hours at Auckland airport. The first time I had ever encountered a delay. I was having doubts that it would ever leave that night. Fortunately it did around 2am but of course landed very much later at LAX than scheduled. I was everso glad i didn't have a connecting flight or would have definitely missed it.

I didn't realise that the brown envelope stayed there at LAX. I wonder if anyone here knows if that is the case ? I was under the impression they sent it on to a service centre or such.

Have you decided on a wedding date yet?

Kelvan: Welcome back! Those weeks away certainly fly by don't they? Hope the process at CSC starts to move along a bit faster

[kiwiana 2]

Russ: Wow! just two days to go! I am soo happy for you guys!! So at the interview it's just a safety measure really to have the originals on hand in case they ask. It's really good to know that the consulate isn't as strict and hard like some other ones in other countries.

Have a safe and speedy journey to Boston! Very best wishes to you both

[Kelvan 0]

Kim and Russ, it's awesome that things are moving fast for you two!

I'm back in Auckland now. Boy did those three weeks in the US go by fast.

They do don't they! I'm convinced time goes by faster somehow when you are together...some strange kind of time warp or something. I think it's a great pity time apart doesn't seem to move at that speed

Tell me about it! I totally agree with you on the time warp thing. It's frustrating! Nice to know I'm not alone though

[KimandRuss 0]

Kel, sorry you're home. Leaving is always so tough.

Luciana, the POE was obviously an idiot. It never ceases to amaze/frustrate me the people who don't actually know the jobs they're being paid to do. You are correct to assume that the mysterious brown envelope (aka mbe) is sent to your local office. Hopefully there are enough people who actually do know at LAX that yours will get there. Here is the link on VJ explaining it., just fyi.

As my love stated, just 2 more days until we are together again. We've worked so many years to reach this point it's surreal that it's right around the corner now. As most of you know, Russell already lived here with us for over a year so everyone else is quite anxious to see him as well. I'm trying to get lots done before he gets here as we're away together until Saturday night and have a very busy Sunday. Very much looking forward to this next chapter!

[amaciar 0]

LAX has been a thorn in my side for a few years now. There is no easy way to get to the east coast from LAX when flying from Auckland. I just wait the 11+ hours though. I have missed two or three flights and the airlines are nowhere near as accomodating in the US as they are in NZ and the united terminal is at the opposite end of the airport! And I am going to rant a bit here but I just don't understand how it can take over an hour for them to unload one flights luggage. I understand when there are multiple flights but well Auckland needs to give LAX some lessons on unloading. I had four hours between flights on one occasion and still would have missed my flight. Lucky me though Denver was under 3 feet of snow so barely any flights were getting in or out of LAX and my flight was cancelled. It was no fun trying to find a flight but since I wasn't screaming or being rude the lady i was dealing with tried for about half hour to find me a flight and it was first class! Okay rant over

Kim I am sure your friedns and family are just as excited as you. Good idea to go on a little trip just the two of you .

[kelzm 0]

Hi all, glad to see you made it safely to this part of the world ShawnandLu. I still feel like I'm on a 'holiday' after my first week, probably not helped by the fact my son arrived yesterday. He was an extremely grumpy 14 year old who kept asking what we were going to do last night and was disappointed to hear read a book, play a game, watch tv - exactly like at home. I'm sure he thought it's be one non-stop adventure when he got here!

I only just realised that I never posted my POE review so I will do that. I came direct to San Francisco. If you have the option do consider SFO for you POE. It's much smaller than LAX, much friendlier and AirNZ does direct flights to there as well as other airlines starting to pick up more routes from there. You can also book onward travel pretty simply as well. It's a 12 hour flight so same distance as LAX without the drama of that huge airport.

My POE was fine, I flew business class (yay for airpoints upgrade) so I was off the plane pretty speedily and right to the front of the immigration line. Unfortunately some bright spark then decided that line should do wheelchairs as well and I had to wait for 45 minutes while 10 or so wheelchair escorts got put in front of me. After that it was pretty simple, they were very efficient. The border woman came and took my passport while I was queuing to make sure I was in the system, later another guy came along and had us all manually do our fingerprints and sign a form with him, and then the border woman put it all through. I didn't get many questions at all but that may be because I was on CR1. Just told when to file for my 10 year card since I have only a 2 year one and to head along to the social security office to get my number when I was ready.

Russ, best of luck with your flight. I'm betting that sleep is something that's escaping you right now!

[Kelvan 0]

LAX has been a thorn in my side for a few years now. There is no easy way to get to the east coast from LAX when flying from Auckland. I just wait the 11+ hours though. I have missed two or three flights and the airlines are nowhere near as accomodating in the US as they are in NZ and the united terminal is at the opposite end of the airport! And I am going to rant a bit here but I just don't understand how it can take over an hour for them to unload one flights luggage. I understand when there are multiple flights but well Auckland needs to give LAX some lessons on unloading. I had four hours between flights on one occasion and still would have missed my flight. Lucky me though Denver was under 3 feet of snow so barely any flights were getting in or out of LAX and my flight was cancelled. It was no fun trying to find a flight but since I wasn't screaming or being rude the lady i was dealing with tried for about half hour to find me a flight and it was first class! Okay rant over

Hey amaciar! I fly from Auckland - Kansas a lot and I've discovered that Qantas + American Airlines is much better and easier than using Air NZ + United when you have connecting flights. When you fly with Qantas to LAX, you pretty much go out the door and up the stairs to the American Airlines terminal. This is much easier than going from one side of the airport to the other as with Air NZ and United. PLUS when returning to Auckland, you arrive at the American Airlines terminal in LAX and then just go out the door and into the next building to the Qantas terminal. I found it's so much easier!

Another reason why I find Qantas and American Airlines better, is that they pass through Dallas instead of Denver (which is usually banked up with snow in the Winter so there's alway a chance of a delay/cancellation). Where abouts do you fly to in the US anyway? It's nice to know someone else has been on the exact same route as me lol.

[cdneh 3,112]

Kim...where I am...heh..it's tomorrow! You must be absolutely thrilled !

After years and years of flying between NZ and Canada I will never go through LAX again going last year through SFO. So much friendlier and less stressful.

One bright spot of news..I've been worried about my Canadian police clearance expiring before I even get to the interview process, now that things out of VSC are going at a snail's pace. I emailed them and they got back to me straightaway. As long as I stay out of Canada, it will be good !

[KimandRuss 0]

Kim...where I am...heh..it's tomorrow! You must be absolutely thrilled !

I think i'm in shock. In 5 hours we 'chat' for the last time long distance then he'll be on his way back home. Because of our circumstances, our visa journey has been several years in the making. It's surreal to think we can finally be on with it.

After years and years of flying between NZ and Canada I will never go through LAX again going last year through SFO. So much friendlier and less stressful.

One bright spot of news..I've been worried about my Canadian police clearance expiring before I even get to the interview process, now that things out of VSC are going at a snail's pace. I emailed them and they got back to me straightaway. As long as I stay out of Canada, it will be good !

Doesn't air tahiti nui fly NZ-US as well? Russell found cheaper rates for them on expedia.co.nz earlier on.

you guys know there is a bus shuttle that runs constantly between the LAX domestic/international terminals, yes? With only two hours between connecting flights we're hoping Russell doesn't run into any problems. We haven't yet (knock, knock, knock) .

[amaciar 0]

LAX has been a thorn in my side for a few years now. There is no easy way to get to the east coast from LAX when flying from Auckland. I just wait the 11+ hours though. I have missed two or three flights and the airlines are nowhere near as accomodating in the US as they are in NZ and the united terminal is at the opposite end of the airport! And I am going to rant a bit here but I just don't understand how it can take over an hour for them to unload one flights luggage. I understand when there are multiple flights but well Auckland needs to give LAX some lessons on unloading. I had four hours between flights on one occasion and still would have missed my flight. Lucky me though Denver was under 3 feet of snow so barely any flights were getting in or out of LAX and my flight was cancelled. It was no fun trying to find a flight but since I wasn't screaming or being rude the lady i was dealing with tried for about half hour to find me a flight and it was first class! Okay rant over

Hey amaciar! I fly from Auckland - Kansas a lot and I've discovered that Qantas + American Airlines is much better and easier than using Air NZ + United when you have connecting flights. When you fly with Qantas to LAX, you pretty much go out the door and up the stairs to the American Airlines terminal. This is much easier than going from one side of the airport to the other as with Air NZ and United. PLUS when returning to Auckland, you arrive at the American Airlines terminal in LAX and then just go out the door and into the next building to the Qantas terminal. I found it's so much easier!

Another reason why I find Qantas and American Airlines better, is that they pass through Dallas instead of Denver (which is usually banked up with snow in the Winter so there's alway a chance of a delay/cancellation). Where abouts do you fly to in the US anyway? It's nice to know someone else has been on the exact same route as me lol.

I fly to upstate New York. The airport is pretty small so we have very little choice with airlines. Usually I catch the red eye to either Chicago or Washington Dulles. Unfortunately United has a major hub in Denver.....so even if you don't touch it a storm there messes everything up Thankfully we are done with the NZed flights for a while. We are hoping it will be two years baring any weddings or deaths! @ years is heaps better than the every six months I was doing for the past 4 years We will have to check out Qantas next time at least fro the LA to Auckland portion.

[amaciar 0]

Kim...where I am...heh..it's tomorrow! You must be absolutely thrilled !

I think i'm in shock. In 5 hours we 'chat' for the last time long distance then he'll be on his way back home. Because of our circumstances, our visa journey has been several years in the making. It's surreal to think we can finally be on with it.

After years and years of flying between NZ and Canada I will never go through LAX again going last year through SFO. So much friendlier and less stressful.

One bright spot of news..I've been worried about my Canadian police clearance expiring before I even get to the interview process, now that things out of VSC are going at a snail's pace. I emailed them and they got back to me straightaway. As long as I stay out of Canada, it will be good !

Doesn't air tahiti nui fly NZ-US as well? Russell found cheaper rates for them on expedia.co.nz earlier on.

you guys know there is a bus shuttle that runs constantly between the LAX domestic/international terminals, yes? With only two hours between connecting flights we're hoping Russell doesn't run into any problems. We haven't yet (knock, knock, knock) .

Woo Hoo you have gone from counting the days to counting the hours! Awesome

Yep know there is a shuttle but I find it a bit quicker to just go it on my feet. I hate sitting in the shuttle and having a group of ten take 20 minutes! I am a bit of a stress case with things like that. Plus my legs can use the stretch by then.

Air Tahiti Nui lets you stop overnight or for a few days as well for not much money. Great if you are traveling with your Kiwi

Edited September 23, 2008 by amaciar

[Lisaandtim 0]

Hello everyone! =)

I'm new to the board and wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Lisa and I'm a US citizen and my love is Tim and he's from New Zealand (soo creative on the name here, right? =p lol). Our ages are 24 and 19. We are just filling out our I-129F and G-325A after getting a run around from people on how to go about this. I've cried so much over these forms let me tell you. It's been a huge stress with everything going on. But he's worth it =). This board makes it seem like I'm not alone in this.