Wife and baby stuck in Peru. Please help!

[menina 50]

Hey Paul-

How did it go? Was your wife able to get in to see someone at the consulate? I hope you are together soon!

[sun flower 3]

When I came back from Bolivia in AA, before even the luggage checking, they ask for documents that allows you to enter in USA, even they take copies of them. My passport is in my maiden name and my GC has my married name, so they asked me my Original marriage certificate, and a second identification with my married name, when I showed every thing I was allowed to check my luggage.

And when my husband an me had the appointment in the Immigration Office in Tampa, to verify that all my documents were in order to travel abroad, the IO told us to take all my original documents and the the original marriage certificate to check the difference between my maiden and married name.

So the LAN agents in Sao Paolo must ask and verify the documents to let her board an international fligth wich the final destination is USA (of course they knew the itinerary of the air ticket), as the agents of AA did in Bolivia.

[Angela & Paul 12]

So she called the Consulate and they said she needed an appointment, next appointment is Jan. 17!

And then you give the forms and payment - let's not forget the fee! - and they call you back for an interview.

She's had enough unpleasant interviews with the USCIS, so we passed on that one

Actually, on their web site they say that if you forgot your GC in the US then you should have a friend or family express mail it. They don't recommend you go through the process at the Consulate.

For Angela, the issue was not the Green Card, but the letter of extension but it sounds like the process to get that original letter or a Transportation Letter is the same as the GC.

So I express mailed the original this morning FedEx with a big discount (over 50%) with the gracious help of JhonScotland who posted on this thread and incidentally is willing to help anyone from VJ.

The package should arrive Thursday by 6pm, though I still have my doubts about this because the lone FedEx flight from the US (Memphis) to Sao Paulo (Viracopos Campinas airport) arrives at 5pm that day... and that's an hour and 30mn drive to the destination, not counting unloading/loading and Customs... we'll see...

In the mean time, I secured her and the baby a seat - and a bassinet - in the Sao Paulo to Los Angeles non-stop flight with Korean Air on Dec. 31st. $1,500 was the cheapest I could find that was not with a "shady" Central or South American airline. I now include LAN as one of them, by the way

In the mean time she will try on Thursday and Friday to leave with LAN assuming they pay for her trip. For $200, I can cancel her ticket on Korean Air for a full refund. If they don't get her a seat for free on LAN, she'll fly Korean and I'll pick her up in LA. I don't mind the 7-hour drive down there and back after what she went through... We might enjoy New Year's day in Venice or Santa Monica Beach since we missed our holiday planned in Tahoe (where's there's no snow anyway!)

I can't wait to have them both in my arms, I hope I won't smother the baby too much when we meet at the airport. Baby is getting bigger and stronger and is starting to hold his head really well. Thanks to Skype I can see them every day.

Hey Paul-

How did it go? Was your wife able to get in to see someone at the consulate? I hope you are together soon!

[mr and mrs 187]

well you sound quite upbeat, so thats good.

glad a kind VJer could offer you some help. three cheers for jhon!

let us know when the letter arrives safely!

[menina 50]

It sounds like things are working out and you should be together soon. I hope you have a good holiday together. I love Santa Monica. We were there for New Years a few years ago. Wishing all the best for a quick reunion.

[Angela & Paul 12]

Actually, the letter has already landed in Campinas, north of Sao Paulo and is being sorted at the FedEx facility. That was quick.

She's going to try and get it before it goes on the truck for tomorrow's delivery.

It's not too important to get it tonight if they deliver tomorrow by noon, but if the truck were to deliver late at 6pm, she would not be able to make the LAN flight.

By the way, seats opened up on several flights from Sao Paulo to San Francisco with LAN so there is a chance she will leave tomorrow... that is unless they ask her to pay full fare !

I'll let you know when Angela and the baby are on their way to the US.

Sorry all for posting so many details, but it helps me cope with this situation and I have always had a lot of support from VJ members. Thank you all.

well you sound quite upbeat, so thats good.

glad a kind VJer could offer you some help. three cheers for jhon!

let us know when the letter arrives safely!

[mr and mrs 187]

coping is important. posting here sort of forces you to organize your thoughts and present them in a coherent way. gives you perspective on your own situation.

glad the letter is almost there.

we will keep our VJ fingers crossed for a 'free flight' from LAN. and a whole row to themselves. on both legs!

[AmberOctober 25]

We all are crossing our fingers for you and your family and waiting for happy ending

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thinking super positive thoughts for you and your family!! Looking forward to the "I have them back!" post

[menina 50]

No problem. I always find it helpful to post my thoughts here and get advice and support from other VJ members. That is what this site is all about.

[jhonscotland 2]

Glad to be of help Paul, that is what we are all here for.

Please let me know if I can help again.

[mr and mrs 187]

och, jhon. so kind!

[Drogs 24]

Glad to here everything is going well now.

jhonscotland you are a great guy :thumbs: Enjoy New Years eve and have a very Prosperous 2012

[Angela & Paul 12]

FedEx delivered the document at noon and she went to the airport where LAN would not bulge. They asked her to pay the regular fare ($2,500 total) and send a letter to Customer Relations later asking for compensation or reimbursement.

I instructed her to not trust them for the latter, so she will be flying Saturday with Korean Airlines to Los Angeles. I will make the 7-hour drive that day to pick her up at night.

We'll be together soon...

[mr and mrs 187]

glad the letter is in hand.

i think they shouldve budged a little bit on the fare. but at least now they have a direct flight.

new years in santa monica sounds nice!

im sorry all this happened to you guys. youve handled it well, which is no short order with a baby, the holidays and two continents involved.