February 2010 Filers - California Service Center

[Jeraly 4]

So, there's a big ol' tidy up of the list. A couple new members, a couple more greyed for inactivity, several discovered interview dates and a wad of P3s received.

I'm exhausted this week. STILL haven't booked Ry's flight, mainly because I've been given a real run around by different airlines about taking our £*%&"!$ cat. We had hoped to fly with her as hand luggage, which apparently many people have done before from the UK, but now it seems not one single airline allows it anymore. Mind you, we could fly out of Paris and there'd be no issue... go figure!

All airlines except continental have temperature embargos in place from May to September, and with Tucson being as hot as it is, we have to fly with continental. And to Phoenix, not Tucson, which is another 2 hour drive. And we'll have to have a 6 HOUR stop over in Houston, making door to door travel a total of 26-28 hours. With a cat and a 10 year old.

I'm trying to decide whether to:

a) plan for us all to go over on the same transatlantic flight and send him and the kid on to Tucson from there on an earlier flight, and I'll go to Phoenix with the cat. His mom could drive up to Phoenix to collect me and moggy and his Dad could pick him and the kid up in Tucson.

b) all fly to phoenix and try and flight a pet-friendly hotel overnight, because the kid literally started crying at the thought of another approx. 2 hours waiting for cat from cargo and 2 hours driving to Tucson after all that flying.

c) lie to the kid and forever live with the guilt of her devastation that the cat isn't allowed to fly long haul coz she's only got 1 kidney. lol.

d)reassure all that c) isn't actually a viable option. The cat has way too much personality and is too much a part of the family to do that.

And I can't book Ry's flights until some kind of decision has been reached about Tucson or Phoenix for him, because I really don't want to add another $250 + change in airfare by having to amend his ticket.

Oh yeah, and for the luxury of this hell hole? The princely sum of £609 for the cat alone. That's about $900. No in-flight entertainment, reclining seats, meals or beverages included!

For the record, I took my kitty on Air France from LHR to LAX at the end of June 2008 during the heat embargo - I took her on as hand luggage with a letter from the vet saying she was fine to travel and a list of all her shots. Cost about 150 quid and she was fine. I let her out in the bathroom on the plane a couple times, but she was good as gold considering the trauma of international travel in a tiny carrier. I don't see how you can be spending 600-900 unless you are having a company manage it all for you which costs around that. I can't see something changing so much for apparently no reason over the last couple years...

[Salsa Shark 0]

Thought so...... I also see you have been tracking the journey of the petitions ! Nothing like a volcano to add a few extra days !!!!

Did you receive a letter from NVC saying the petition was on its way ? I did yesterday

Yep, we got ours a couple of days ago--we're going to start bugging the embassy next week Olya's going to call the Chelyabinsk police station on Monday to see if we can start the police certificate process via email/fax and then pick it up in person before her interview...

[Adam & May 4]

To all Feb CSC filers....

Sorry, been busy here in the Philippines enjoying time with May. Congrats to anyone recently approved (NOA2) and forge on to the next processes for the rest of us.

We are waiting till the end of the month so that we can schedule May's interview for the mid week of June (we are hoping 6/18).

To all our Thailand K1s: Our prayers are with you over the political climate and want you all safe.

...and now back to our regulary scheduled cuddle time.

Adam & May

Edited April 23, 2010 by Adam & May

[Audy_Rob 26]

Sorry, been busy here in the Philippines enjoying time with May.

Sounds good right about now

To all our Thailand K1s: Our prayers are with you over the political climate and want you all safe.

Thanks, Audy canceled her trip to Bangkok to go get her police certificate because of the violence

...and now back to our regulary scheduled cuddle time.

You have to schedule it in advance

Adam & May

[Audy_Rob 26]

So, there's a big ol' tidy up of the list.

And a very good job at that!!!

Oh yeah, and for the luxury of this hell hole? The princely sum of £609 for the cat alone. That's about $900. No in-flight entertainment, reclining seats, meals or beverages included!

£609, that is what I pay for San Francisco to Bangkok for a person. The airlines are very cheeky these days.

[bainbridge558 0]

Yep, we got ours a couple of days ago--we're going to start bugging the embassy next week Olya's going to call the Chelyabinsk police station on Monday to see if we can start the police certificate process via email/fax and then pick it up in person before her interview...

I already sent an email " just inquiring " if our petition had arrived yet and if there was a possibility they might have an interview date scheduled ....... got an auto-response. Like you tho' ... next week I will be bugging them !

Your Olya and my Olga could very well be at the embassy for their interviews on the same day. I wonder how many they schedule per day ?

I read somewhere here on VJ that the average was something like 37 days between the embassy receiving the petition and the interview date ( at least I " think " I read that )

But the other day I was browsing thru some other threads and saw a guy that the embassy had received his petition on 29 March and the interview was scheduled for 15 June !!! Thats 2 and a half months !!

[KarinaB 0]

I'm starting to feel like I'm at the bottom of the pile. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to figure out if we are even close to getting our NOA2?

My fiance was in a terrible car accident on his way down to see me a few weeks ago. Normally Canada is been dead set on not letting me across since I don't have enough ties to the US. Although, this time, I was let into Canada because he was in the hospital. I have to leave Canada in a week and he is still so wounded I can't stand leaving. Also, his construction job ran out of money so he just got on EI. When he is better will he be able to visit me on EI?

[Varyag 0]

I'm starting to feel like I'm at the bottom of the pile. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to figure out if we are even close to getting our NOA2?

My fiance was in a terrible car accident on his way down to see me a few weeks ago. Normally Canada is been dead set on not letting me across since I don't have enough ties to the US. Although, this time, I was let into Canada because he was in the hospital. I have to leave Canada in a week and he is still so wounded I can't stand leaving. Also, his construction job ran out of money so he just got on EI. When he is better will he be able to visit me on EI?

Karina,

That's very unfortunate... I think everyone here hopes your fiance recovers properly from the accident.

Getting employment insurance, doesn't affect someone from Canada getting across the US border. If he's honest with the border patrol about the reasons for the visit he should be able to get across without difficulty. Come on it's Canada...

Btw. have you checked your case number on the USCIS website recently?

Most people would be under the impression that you received your NOA2 a long time ago...

[KarinaB 0]

Karina,

That's very unfortunate... I think everyone here hopes your fiance recovers properly from the accident.

Getting employment insurance, doesn't affect someone from Canada getting across the US border. If he's honest with the border patrol about the reasons for the visit he should be able to get across without difficulty. Come on it's Canada...

Btw. have you checked your case number on the USCIS website recently?

Most people would be under the impression that you received your NOA2 a long time ago...

Yes, I check it everyday and I have updates sent to my phone and E-mail. Still untouched since 2/2/10

Thanks for the great info!!

[Wishing 1]

I'm starting to feel like I'm at the bottom of the pile. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to figure out if we are even close to getting our NOA2?

My fiance was in a terrible car accident on his way down to see me a few weeks ago. Normally Canada is been dead set on not letting me across since I don't have enough ties to the US. Although, this time, I was let into Canada because he was in the hospital. I have to leave Canada in a week and he is still so wounded I can't stand leaving. Also, his construction job ran out of money so he just got on EI. When he is better will he be able to visit me on EI?

Hey Karina,

Just wanted to say sorry this happened and I hope your fiance recovers quickly! Thinking about you.

[Seven 24]

Just wanted to say to Karina that sorry to hear what happened. Hopefully your fiance is 100% healthy in no time. At least think positive that is lucky you guys don't need to travel for too long to see each other so i'm pretty sure you will be allowed to cross the border regarding the situation tho...

And about the NOA2...we both still waiting but keep the faith and hope alive! I'm praying you and us have our resolution next week as well the rest of february filers who didn't get the NOA2 yet...Anyway we still early in the average time even though lot of ppl had their NOA 2 earlier this time!

Much love and God bless!

[SunDrop 59]

For the record, I took my kitty on Air France from LHR to LAX at the end of June 2008 during the heat embargo - I took her on as hand luggage with a letter from the vet saying she was fine to travel and a list of all her shots. Cost about 150 quid and she was fine. I let her out in the bathroom on the plane a couple times, but she was good as gold considering the trauma of international travel in a tiny carrier. I don't see how you can be spending 600-900 unless you are having a company manage it all for you which costs around that. I can't see something changing so much for apparently no reason over the last couple years...

Well there's a challenge if I ever heard one. If someone can find me an airline that'll fly us from London to Tucson or Phoenix, 1 stopover, less than 20 hours total travel time (take-off to final landing plus stopover time) and allow a cat on board, I'll quite happily and genuinely throw a couple hundred squid into your bank account. Delta don't allow animals on board transatlantic from the UK, Ireland, South Africa, UAE and somewhere else. Neither do BA, nor Continental, nor American. And only Continental will carry her as cargo and only to Phoenix because Tucson doesn't have climate controlled transportation from the aircraft to the .. wherever they go.

And those flight requirements are not just for the sake of the cat, but also my extremely anxious 10 year old. If it were only me, it would be an entirely different story. And yes, the £609 was using a company. And yes, a lot has changed in 6 months, nevermind 2 years.

[SunDrop 59]

greyed profiles haven't been active for more than 1 month.

Waiting for NOA2:

* KarinaB (Canada) Feb 1

* lnsunshine (UK) Feb 9

* CQ & CS (Canada) Feb 9

* Mien & Daniel (Taiwan) Feb 9

* mariastutz (Brazil) Feb 9

* t0mandd0nna (UAE)Feb 10

* myrddin (Ukraine) Feb 17

* Yevgeniy M (Russia) Feb 18

* USA Joe (Laos) Feb 19

* crissa (Philippines) Feb 19

* Seven (Spain) Feb 22

* oldlipa (Philippines) Feb 26

Approved NOA2s

Waiting for consular response (packet 3, if applicable or packet 4, if no packet 3), working on packet 3, or hasn't updated since NOA2:

* bittbook (Mexico) Feb 24 (23 days)

* yokogurl99 (Philippines) NOA2: Mar 3 (31 days)

* Emily and Christian (unknown) NOA2: Mar 5 (31 days)

* bainbridge558 (Russia) NOA2: Mar 4 (24 days)

* abalvarez (Philippines) NOA2: Mar 9 (36 days)

* Panda_Intl (China) NOA2: Mar 9 (37 days)

* echicago (Spain) NOA2 Mar 9 (35 days)

* Ale y Ramiro (Mexico) NOA2: Mar 12 (38 days)

* spraggy0558 (UK) NOA2: Mar 24 (47 days)

* karlaowl (Netherlands) Mar 25 (48 days)

* khine (Philippines) Mar 26 (44 days)

* Audy_Rob (Thailand) NOA2: Mar 27 (46 days)

* jhayoh (Philippines) NOA2: Mar 29 (41 days)

* rico n me (Mexico) NOA2: MAr 29 (49 days)

* zyrian (Philippines) NOA2: Mar 30 (53 days)

* JenAndBabs (Ghana) NOA2: Mar 30 (50 days)

* inna & Brad (Ukraine) NOA2: Mar 30 (57 days)

* HESTIA (Hong Kong) NOA2: Mar 31 (54 days)

* Shawn & Emi (England) NOA2: Mar 31 (50 days)

* Loree and Mond (Philippines) NOA2: Mar 31 (47 days)

* haze & ced (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 1 (56 days)

* SunDrop (UK) NOA2: Apr 1 (51 days)

`* JORDANTONI09 (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 5 (47 days)

* crisbess (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 5 (56 days)

* Chavonia (Dominican Rep.) NOA2: Apr 5 (48 days)

* Salsa Shark (Russia) NOA2: Apr 5 (49 days

* Addie (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 6 (46 days)

* teamster631 (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 6 (47 days)

* galathea (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 7 (47 days)

* Dave&Ita (Indonesia) NOA2: Apr 12 (47 days)

* karenandandrew (Philippines) NOA2: Apr 12 (55 days)

* ecuababy (Ecuador) NOA2: Apr 12 (45 days)

* sharaincali (UK) NOA2: Apr 20 (60 days)

* Linasaur (Canada) NOA2: Apr 20 (57 days)

* Anna&Khalid (Pakistan) NOA2: Apr 20 (55 days)

* Lien_Joseph (Vietnam) NOA2: Apr 21 (47 days)

Packet 3 in process/sent: (NOA1-NOA2/ NOA2-P3 days)

* Waza (UK) P3 rec'd: 22 Mar (21/26 days)

* eli and galie (Ukraine) P3 rec'd: 23 Mar (24/18 days)

* DukeofYork (UK) P3 rec'd: 25 Mar (39/15 days)

* yasar (Pakistan) P3 rec'd: 12 Apr (27/40 days)

* twowls (UK) P3 rec'd: 14 Apr (32/33 days)

* Adam & May (Philippines) P3 rec'd: 16 Apr (43/29 days)

* Michele Michael (Australia) P3 rec'd: 20 Apr (44/10 days)

* Wishing (Canada) P3 rec'd: 21 Apr (47/21 days)

Interview Schedule: (NOA1-NOA2/ NOA2-P3/ P3sent-Interview days)

* waitingurl (Philippines) May 5 (27/ ?/ ? days)

* spencer12 (Sth Korea) May 15 (54/ ?/ ? days)

* 392ihc (Russia) May 25 (30 days/ ?/ ? days)

* Sam he Amy (China) June 8 (31/21/74 days)

Interview Results!

Unknown

*

Approved!

*

[SunDrop 59]

Karina, I am so sorry to read about your fiance. I'm sure that everyone in the Feb CSC filers would join me in wishing him a speedy and full recovery. Is it possible that the NOA2 is actually sitting waiting for you in the mailbox; any way anyone could check it for you? Not everyone gets electronic status updates.

Fingers crossed!

[Ovaltine Jenkins 5]

Well there's a challenge if I ever heard one. If someone can find me an airline that'll fly us from London to Tucson or Phoenix, 1 stopover, less than 20 hours total travel time (take-off to final landing plus stopover time) and allow a cat on board, I'll quite happily and genuinely throw a couple hundred squid into your bank account. Delta don't allow animals on board transatlantic from the UK, Ireland, South Africa, UAE and somewhere else. Neither do BA, nor Continental, nor American. And only Continental will carry her as cargo and only to Phoenix because Tucson doesn't have climate controlled transportation from the aircraft to the .. wherever they go.

And those flight requirements are not just for the sake of the cat, but also my extremely anxious 10 year old. If it were only me, it would be an entirely different story. And yes, the £609 was using a company. And yes, a lot has changed in 6 months, nevermind 2 years.

Could you stop spitting venom around especially when someone's trying to help you? As you were informed, Air France takes cats on board. Check their website. They fly from London to Phoenix with 2 layovers in times between 16 hours 20 mins to 20 hours 42 mins. Lotsa choices for you. I'm sure your child (not the kid as you refer to it as if it was a thing you just had to drag behind) will be able to survive the trip just fine (even with 2 stops), especially if you bring her fav toys, nice snacks, the cat that she loves, she could watch some movie and you could give her some love too. Lots of kids travel on planes. Maybe your child would feel less anxious in general if you didn't keep stressing the small stuff (which can be solved easily btw) and provide her love, support and a fun life. I'm sure there are hotels in Phoenix that are pet friendly. And if you have to do the 2 hour drive, why don't you make it fun and stop on the way to show your child fun stuff and make her life more fun in general.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Ovaltine Jenkins