RU Trip Report

[akdiver 3]

Just got back from 3 weeks in Russia. Just thought I would post some info here for travelers...in no particular order...

Entry into Moscow:

First off the plane at SVO. Practically the first in line at customs. Wife went through the citizen line - more or less went right through. I had a couple of people in front of me. Customs officer didn't say a word to me as she checked over my stuff, gave it back to me. No big surprise there. Our checked bags (3 of them) were more or less first off the plane - we grabbed it and went through the second customs checkpoint, with our bags. No problems. Overall, we may have set a new world record for entry time into Moscow.

Registration in Kazan:

At some random small post office near a friend's flat. Spent some time filling out forms and making copies - took maybe 20 minutes overall - spent like $2. They seemed to know what they were doing.

Registration in Bavly:

Go read my "registration problem" thread for details - nothing more to say here.

Flight departing from Ufa:

Security ticket agent gave my stuff to officer who was standing around. He looked my passport and documents over up and down, every which way from Sunday - he couldn't find anything wrong with my stuff, and it was obviously he was trying hard to do just that. ######.

Transfer bus from SVO1 to SVO2:

Didn't feel like waiting around for the free bus. This one was $5 for the both of us and took maybe 20 minutes - standing room only.

Departure from Moscow:

First stop - delta agent. Asked the usual questions - nothing too special. Looked at wife's passport and PR card, wrote down her passport number. Looked at my passport, didn't write anything down. Second stop - baggage inspection - made me un-shrinkwrap my checked bags. That sucked. Waste of money. Third stop - next delta agent. Checked our three bags, gave us boarding passes. Fourth stop - customs agent. Wife went through first - looked her passport over good, looked at the photo, at her, the photo, her - eventually set her through. I was next - she gave me the same routine - didn't say a word to me. I waned to ask her "what the #### are you looking at?" but kept my mouth shut. Probably a wise move. Anyway - once we were through, found our gate. Airport sucks - nowhere to sit unless you go through gate security and then there is nothing to do but sit there. They also took our water. ####.

Arrival at JFK:

First off the plane, first from our plane into line for customs - but there was already a long line. Our turn with the agent - we went up together - I gave him our passports and her PR card. My passport didn't scan - he recommend I get a new one. He didn't ask us any questions - but I made pleasant chitchat while he waited for computer results - were there only a minute or two. We were soon on our way. I think our bags were last off the plane - we were there FOREVER! Next up was the customs bag guy (customs guy #2). Gave the guy in front of us a lot of #### - just asked us what kind of good we have - I said tea and chocolate and he sent us on our way. Next stop was the TSA line, for re-checking bags and going through security, again - as if we had a big opportunity to pick up a weapons cache in the customs area. TSA line was kinda slow - but we got through OK. Overall, it took about an hour and a half between when the plane landed and when we were finally through all the BS - released to catch our next flight.

PR Card and Passport Summary:

Wife did not have any problems leaving Russia or entering the US with her passport and PR card - customs people barely even talked to us at all.

That's about it...

AKDiver

Edited May 13, 2008 by akdiver

[slim 1,525]

Thanks for the update, AKD.

And just how long were you travelling? All the way from Moscow back to AK? Whew! I hope I never have to make that trip!

[akdiver 3]

And just how long were you travelling? All the way from Moscow back to AK? Whew! I hope I never have to make that trip!

It was horrible.

The trip went like this:

3.5 hour car ride to Ufa (extremely rough)

wait at airport

2 hour plane ride to Moscow

transfer via bus from SVO1 to SVO2

wait at airport (something like 8 hours)

11 hour plane ride to JFK

wait at airport

6 hour plane ride to Seattle

wait at airport

3.5 hour plane ride to Anchorage

car ride home

We left her parents' house at 11PM. By the time we were walking through my front door, 39 hours had passed. That's 39 hours of constant travel, or waiting at an airport for the next plane. If you figure in that I woke up at something like 8am the day we left, that means that between the time I got out of bed and the next time I was into bed, 54 hours had passed.

Absolutely brutal.

Cheers!

sw

p.s.: trip TO Russia was more or less the same.

[slim 1,525]

I can't wait until Scotty can "beam us up."

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I would positively love to get up every day, simply get ready and get transported to work. you could live anywhere that suits you and have your commute last seconds.

I can't wait until Scotty can "beam us up."

[slim 1,525]

If we could do that, we'd probably not have to work anymore.