How to travel by plane

[AubreyJ 0]

Well, the day has finally come! My fiance will be leaving his country on the evening of the 21st. Now, this will be the first time ever flying for him, and I will not be there to help him along, so he has requested a step by step list! First of all, I'm not even sure of all of the steps myself as I'm not a frequent flyer and when I do, I just kind of follow along.. Plus he will be transferring in Amsterdam, where I have never been, and of course, I have never had to go through any of the immigration lines at the airport. (His POE will be Seattle)

So.

First step. Go to the airport!! Ha.. go to the counter and show ticket/give large bags. Then go to where that person points you (it's hard to work around vocab like 'check in' and 'gate'!) (I remember having to fill out a form somewhere along here.. but can't remember what it was..) Then he'll have to go through security, which means putting the small bag through that machine, and walking through the...'door?' Then he gets to wait..

Once on the plane, he has to look for his seat number which will be on his ticket. From here I'm lost though.. I don't remember any of the numerous forms that one has to fill out, and they're probably different for a citizens anyways, plus I don't know the Amsterdam airport at all.

So how does he change planes, what are all the different documents he has to fill out, and then what's involved in arriving in Seattle? To make things more complicated than they already are, he's going to bring such a substantial number of gifts that he'll probably have to declare them too. It never seemed this complicated when I was flying, but now to explain it, it kind of does! Ideas?!

[crashandcari 0]

I'm sure you didn't mean this to be funny but your post made me laugh... You don't realize all the little things you take for granted huh? You actually gave me an idea for a thread I didn't even think of.

Wish I could help with the what forms to fill out question. Maybe post this also under Moving Here and Your New Life in America forum where a lot of the new arrivals post.

Happy reunion !!!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Transferring in Amsterdam... Tell him to ask an Airline employee when he gets off the plane. They are often waiting to help people transfer. He shouldn't have to go through immigration to transfer.

Before he lands in the US he will need to fill out a I-94 and a customs declaration form. The flight attendants will have these forms. Tell him to bring a pen though.

For immigration at the POE he should tell someone (the immigration employee directing traffic) before he gets in line that he is a K visa holder. They will then direct him into a room and take the brown envelope. MAKE SURE HE LEAVES IMMIGRATION WITH THE I-94 STAPLED IN HIS PASSPORT!!!!!!!! It will cost $$$ to replace later if it's not in there.

good luck!!!!!

[Jaci 0]

Hi Aubrey

First of all, Congratulations!

I'm just wondering... is your fiance at all acquainted with train travel? The arrivals and departures are always listed on a board somewhere with flight number, gate, destination and time, and it's great if he knows how to deal with that, in the same way one deals with that sort of thing in a major train station.

The airport in Amsterdam is wonderful but large. The gate for his connecting flight should be marked on his boarding pass, but it's good to check the board as well to see if any changes have been made to the time or gate. He should follow signs marked |Transit| and not to the city.

He will not have to claim luggage or deal with customs in Amsterdam. There is no customs forms to fill out on the plane until the flight into the US. He just has to disembark and find his next gate. There will likey be at least one security checkpoint in the airport, though. (standard metal detector kind of thing, and show passport and boarding pass... I seem to recall one upon entering the general airport, and another directly before boarding, at the gate.)

If he has a long layover there is a free art museum, a few nice |meditation| areas with lounge chairs, and even a place where you can rent a locker for your things and pay to take a hot shower.

There's a lot of nice shopping there too. I got in a lot of trouble with that when I had a long layover there. All in all it's the best airport I've ever seen to have a layover in.

Ok, that's my contribution for now.

Wish him bon voyage from all of us!

Jaci

[rclouse 0]

Tell him to watch out for snakes, cause when there are snakes on a plane, there ain't a got-damn thing you can do about it.

/sorry, couldn't resist

[crashandcari 0]

Tell him to watch out for snakes, cause when there are snakes on a plane, there ain't a got-damn thing you can do about it.

/sorry, couldn't resist

that is just soooo wrong lol... besides has that movie even come out yet? lmfao.. do you think it will ever be shown on a plane??

Edited May 17, 2006 by crashandcari

[almaty 19]

wow, he is in for an adventure...good luck

[noemij 0]

Tell him to watch out for snakes, cause when there are snakes on a plane, there ain't a got-damn thing you can do about it.

/sorry, couldn't resist

[Indo_mommy 0]

Don't worry he'll do just fine. When I came here I had to transit in Singapore and Tokyo and it was kinda a fun experience for me but it all went well. If he's confuse don't hesitate to ask (people in uniforms in the airport helps )

Good luck & have a happy reunion.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

If I were you, I would give him the proper names of the areas he needs to go to...like the gate, security etc..this way if he needs to ask, he can ask for the correct place, by name. If he doesn't even really know the name of where he needs to go next, it would just be more complicated. JMO. Best wishes and wonderful reunion to you! M.

[babybunny 2]

the best advise is if he is confused always approach a uniformed airline member..

[JanaknJanet 0]

One of the things i would do first for him would be to locate the plane information online.

If you go to the airline website. you will most likely be able to locate the type of plane he is flying.

You can even look up a picture drawing. and get a idea of the seating arrangements.

If he has any diatary needs.. ie vegitarian, kosher, Diabetic. call ahead and get the meal ordered. Nothing is worse than getting food you cannot eat.

If he is tall he can ask to seat on the emergency exit as a designated exit helper.. the space in that row is usually much more.

You can also look up online the airport and locate on a map where his gates potentially will be. For all you know he may only need to walk a short distance.

Tell him to never be afraid to ask for help.. that is what the help is there for..

Many airports have international travelers remaining in the same areas. if you leave the area you will have to re clear yourself in security.

You may even look up the airport and help him figure out where he can wait.. or identify ahead of time where the travelers assistance desks are.

On the plane.. tell him to not forget to get up . and stretch his legs.. dont need any DVT.. (blood clotts)

on long flights they drop the pressure in the cabin .. to make you sleepy... tell him to wear something comfortable.. he can always change before he reaches you . he he he ..

amsterdam airport information

here is a link to a Amsterdam airport guide. it may help..

silly me this is better airport in amsterdam

[desert_fox 32]

Have you checked out transit visa requirements for Ghana in Amsterdam??

I have no idea, but just asking. May be required.

[AngelK96 0]

I transferred through Amsterdam twice and didn't have to go through immigration. Make sure his luggage is being sent to the POE in the USA. Otherwise say if they got sent to Amsterdamn he will have to recheck them again.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]