Travelling alone to USA

[Anh map 2,098]

Why not fly to LA and do the US part of the trip with her? Save her the headaches.

[Andrew_Qin 0]

I found out that an organization, Travelers Aid of Los Angeles, has a "Meet and Greet" service at LAX. A volunteer from their group will meet the passenger after customs clearance and personally guide them to their connecting flight. They will also assist the passenger in the event that the connecting flight is missed. The service is free, though they suggest a $35 donation to their cause. The volunteers will not accept gratuities. Great service! Didn't realize such philanthropy existed at LAX.

Should anyone need this service, here's the link: http://www.tasla.org/meet&greet.htm

[TiklingGuy 211]

Why not fly to LA and do the US part of the trip with her? Save her the headaches.

Can't go wrong doing that.

LA is easy, its a big horse shoe with the international terminal being at the bottom of the horse show. Terminals 1-6.

[bigdog 376]

Contrary to popular advice, I purchased my wife's ticket to the US as soon as I knew her interview date. She will arrive in Tampa, Florida on August 15. Since I returned from China just a few weeks ago and must return to China at the end of September, she insisted that I not travel there just to bring her home. Now that it is getting close to her departure date, I am trying to prepare her so that she gets from point A to point B without difficulty. Since she is not conversant in English, this is a little challenging. She flies frequently and has traveled to several Asian countries in the past, so she is familiar with the basic process of immigration and customs.

I have called the airlines advising them of her situation and requesting assistance getting from arrival gate to her next departure gate. They have noted my request but warned me that if the airlines personnel are busy, they will not be able to assist her. I have written, in Chinese, the details of each flight, the process of going though immigration and customs, rechecking bags after customs, etc. I will also make cards, written in both English and Chinese, that she can show in the event she needs help. She also has a sim card to put into her phone upon arrival in the US.

Do any of you whose spouses have made the trip on their own have any additional advice? She has flights from Chengdu to Narita, Narita to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Houston and Houston to Tampa (total trip time is 24 hours).

[bigdog 376]

I would have purchased a ticket when she had visa in hand. The most direct flight is advisable. i met my wife in Los Angeles, spend the night went to dinner then traveled home together. Why not enter on the ease coast make it easier on her.

Why not fly to LA and do the US part of the trip with her? Save her the headaches.

Right on.

[moneybags 0]

I found out that an organization, Travelers Aid of Los Angeles, has a "Meet and Greet" service at LAX. A volunteer from their group will meet the passenger after customs clearance and personally guide them to their connecting flight. They will also assist the passenger in the event that the connecting flight is missed. The service is free, though they suggest a $35 donation to their cause. The volunteers will not accept gratuities. Great service! Didn't realize such philanthropy existed at LAX.

Should anyone need this service, here's the link: http://www.tasla.org/meet&greet.htm

Hey Andrew, I also live in Tampa (just moved here from Beijing a few months ago) and my wife is interviewing today so hopefully she will come in two weeks. I'm curious how the trip was for your wife. Mine can speak English but she has never been out of China. Thanks!

[bigdog 376]

I would have waited, and get the most direct flight meet at the POE.

[freetv 7]

Hey Andrew, I also live in Tampa (just moved here from Beijing a few months ago) and my wife is interviewing today so hopefully she will come in two weeks. I'm curious how the trip was for your wife. Mine can speak English but she has never been out of China. Thanks!

If she can speak English there won't be a problem, what is a problem is the lack of real Chinese restaurants in Tampa Bay... although we finally found a semi-real sichuan place awhile back.

[moneybags 0]

If she can speak English there won't be a problem, what is a problem is the lack of real Chinese restaurants in Tampa Bay... although we finally found a semi-real sichuan place awhile back.

Really, where is it? My wife is from Chongqing which used to be part of Sichuan.

[freetv 7]

Really, where is it? My wife is from Chongqing which used to be part of Sichuan.

Fushia Asian Bistro

15317 Amberly

Tampa, FL 33647

It is pretty good for the most part, my wife is from Chengdu and super picky about food, but finds this place alright. There is another place outside Miami that is even better, but real sichuan food is almost impossible to find in Florida.... and I am sure your wife will complain about it after awhile lol. But we will most likely be moving to texas or cali next year... so I am hoping things will get better with regard to food.

[moneybags 0]

Fushia Asian Bistro

15317 Amberly

Tampa, FL 33647

It is pretty good for the most part, my wife is from Chengdu and super picky about food, but finds this place alright. There is another place outside Miami that is even better, but real sichuan food is almost impossible to find in Florida.... and I am sure your wife will complain about it after awhile lol. But we will most likely be moving to texas or cali next year... so I am hoping things will get better with regard to food.

Cool, thanks a lot. My wife is also a picky eater. I think California will be almost like China compared to here.