MIL Arriving in Five Weeks...

[shikarnov 7]

Hi All,

Much to my surprise, and delight, my mother in law was granted a tourist visa (3 year, multi entry) -- which comes at the perfect time since we're expecting our second child (the first is 8 months old) and can use the help!... Anyway, she speaks absolutely no English except yes, no, and fish (don't ask me why she knows fish) and we're freaking out a bit because she her POE is JFK in New York, then she's got a six hour layover before her domestic flight to Dallas.

We're trying to prepare her as best we can with flashcards, common phrases, and whatnot, but we're really worried. She's a villager for whom taking the marshrutka to the rinok is a big deal, and she's making this trip alone. Do any of you have ideas that might help make the trip easier? I'd love to have a friend or hire an interpreter to meet her at the gate, guide her through passport control, and see to it that she gets on her connection (we'll meet her at DFW), but as we all know, since 9/11, they make it impossible to get into the secure areas without a boarding pass...

Whatever advice or experiences you have to share will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Z

[shikarnov 7]

She's flying via Aeroflot from Moscow to New York, if it makes any difference in your thinking, and via Delta to Dallas.

[southernman 29]

One idea is to try and find a Russian that speaks english to help out. My Mil is here now but traveled with my wifes friends. They went home a month ago so now my mil will have to travel alone. It's a direct flight Miami to Moscow but we are going to the airport with her to find someone that speaks russian and english and ask them to assist her if needed while in Miami Int.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi All,

Much to my surprise, and delight, my mother in law was granted a tourist visa (3 year, multi entry) -- which comes at the perfect time since we're expecting our second child (the first is 8 months old) and can use the help!... Anyway, she speaks absolutely no English except yes, no, and fish (don't ask me why she knows fish) and we're freaking out a bit because she her POE is JFK in New York, then she's got a six hour layover before her domestic flight to Dallas.

We're trying to prepare her as best we can with flashcards, common phrases, and whatnot, but we're really worried. She's a villager for whom taking the marshrutka to the rinok is a big deal, and she's making this trip alone. Do any of you have ideas that might help make the trip easier? I'd love to have a friend or hire an interpreter to meet her at the gate, guide her through passport control, and see to it that she gets on her connection (we'll meet her at DFW), but as we all know, since 9/11, they make it impossible to get into the secure areas without a boarding pass...

Whatever advice or experiences you have to share will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Z

We gave my MIL flashcards also. I was told that if needed the CBP can call for a Russian translator. Her POE was Denver and we were outside waiting. We gave her a card with this information and my wife's cell phone number. Since your MIL has to transition from international to domestic, I would see if either you or your wife could fly to JFK to meet her and then fly back to DFW with her. My MIL had to change planes in Frankfurt and had no problems, but she did not have to deal with a flight change in the US. Does she understand that she must pickup her luggage to go thru customs and then re-check her luggage? Is this a continuation code share flight where she check-ins at Moscow and gets her boarding passes on Delta issued or does she need to find the Delta ticking counter and check-in for her flight to DFW?

All these issues are easy for a seasoned traveler or for someone who can read and speak the language. If it was my MIL, either I or the wife would fly up to JFK and meet her there--I understand you have the issue of a pregnant wife or a wife that just gave birth, but think about your MIL and what would be best for her. Of course my MIL want to visit NYC on her trip to the US, so we ended up flying from Denver to LaGuardia about a week after she arrived. FYI: you can ask the ticket agent at the counter when your MIL checks-in that she does not speak any English and you or your wife need to escort her to the gate area. They will issue you a document that TSA will accept and allow you to enter the secure area even though you are not boarding the airplane.

Good luck,

Dave

[Darnell 8,478]

I'd love to have a friend or hire an interpreter to meet her at the gate, guide her through passport control, and see to it that she gets on her connection (we'll meet her at DFW), but as we all know, since 9/11, they make it impossible to get into the secure areas without a boarding pass...

I suggest you tell her to follow the humans in front of her,

until she exits the international arrivals area.

you can arrange for guide to meet her at the other side of the exit door (concierge, airport employee, travellers committee, etc) and walk her through to the next things ...

Edited January 20, 2014 by Darnell

[JohnR! 5,495]

She's flying via Aeroflot from Moscow to New York, if it makes any difference in your thinking, and via Delta to Dallas.

The USCIS has translators available, on site, to help. She should ask for one when she is called up to the immigration counter. Asking for the service will not hinder her, other than timewise. Having said that, once she is done with immigration she will have to collect her bags, clear immigration, recheck her bags to DFW, go through security all over again and find her departure gate.

If you would allow me a suggestion: If she is an elderly person, consider asking for a wheelchair for her upon arrival. By doing so she will have someone pick her up a the jetway and wheel her all the way through to her departure gate for the DFW flight. She can't and won't get lost in the process.

[shikarnov 7]

One idea is to try and find a Russian that speaks english to help out. My Mil is here now but traveled with my wifes friends. They went home a month ago so now my mil will have to travel alone. It's a direct flight Miami to Moscow but we are going to the airport with her to find someone that speaks russian and english and ask them to assist her if needed while in Miami Int.

I really wish I could have found a direct flight from DFW to Moscow. That really would have been ideal. Good luck to your MIL with her return flight.

We gave my MIL flashcards also. I was told that if needed the CBP can call for a Russian translator. Her POE was Denver and we were outside waiting. We gave her a card with this information and my wife's cell phone number. Since your MIL has to transition from international to domestic, I would see if either you or your wife could fly to JFK to meet her and then fly back to DFW with her. My MIL had to change planes in Frankfurt and had no problems, but she did not have to deal with a flight change in the US. Does she understand that she must pickup her luggage to go thru customs and then re-check her luggage? Is this a continuation code share flight where she check-ins at Moscow and gets her boarding passes on Delta issued or does she need to find the Delta ticking counter and check-in for her flight to DFW?

All these issues are easy for a seasoned traveler or for someone who can read and speak the language. If it was my MIL, either I or the wife would fly up to JFK and meet her there--I understand you have the issue of a pregnant wife or a wife that just gave birth, but think about your MIL and what would be best for her. Of course my MIL want to visit NYC on her trip to the US, so we ended up flying from Denver to LaGuardia about a week after she arrived. FYI: you can ask the ticket agent at the counter when your MIL checks-in that she does not speak any English and you or your wife need to escort her to the gate area. They will issue you a document that TSA will accept and allow you to enter the secure area even though you are not boarding the airplane.

Good luck,

Dave

If you don't mind, would you please share your cards? I'm having some trouble coming up with ideas beyond the standard, "Tell me please, how do I get to... the terminal, the gate, security, bathroom, food area, etc." and some emergency content like "I require medical attention, please call 911" etc...

I thought about going to meet her in New York, but ticket prices aren't cheap and we're already overextended. It's just not financially feasible to spend $700+ dollars (I just checked on Travelocity) for an escort.

I'd love to have a friend or hire an interpreter to meet her at the gate, guide her through passport control, and see to it that she gets on her connection (we'll meet her at DFW), but as we all know, since 9/11, they make it impossible to get into the secure areas without a boarding pass...

I suggest you tell her to follow the humans in front of her,

until she exits the international arrivals area.

you can arrange for guide to meet her at the other side of the exit door (concierge, airport employee, travellers committee, etc) and walk her through to the next things ...

I would love to arrange for a guide, but can't seem to find any guide services online. Maybe I'm not using the right search criteria. Any suggestions?

The USCIS has translators available, on site, to help. She should ask for one when she is called up to the immigration counter. Asking for the service will not hinder her, other than timewise. Having said that, once she is done with immigration she will have to collect her bags, clear immigration, recheck her bags to DFW, go through security all over again and find her departure gate.

If you would allow me a suggestion: If she is an elderly person, consider asking for a wheelchair for her upon arrival. By doing so she will have someone pick her up a the jetway and wheel her all the way through to her departure gate for the DFW flight. She can't and won't get lost in the process.

That's good to know. She's not elderly, but definitely has some mobility issues (bad knees). That said, I think she wouldn't be too happy, though, with a wheelchair. She has too much pride for that.

Thanks, everybody for your replies thus far. They're appreciated!

Z

[baron555 934]

Hi All,

Much to my surprise, and delight, my mother in law was granted a tourist visa (3 year, multi entry) -- which comes at the perfect time since we're expecting our second child (the first is 8 months old) and can use the help!... Anyway, she speaks absolutely no English except yes, no, and fish (don't ask me why she knows fish) and we're freaking out a bit because she her POE is JFK in New York, then she's got a six hour layover before her domestic flight to Dallas.

We're trying to prepare her as best we can with flashcards, common phrases, and whatnot, but we're really worried. She's a villager for whom taking the marshrutka to the rinok is a big deal, and she's making this trip alone. Do any of you have ideas that might help make the trip easier? I'd love to have a friend or hire an interpreter to meet her at the gate, guide her through passport control, and see to it that she gets on her connection (we'll meet her at DFW), but as we all know, since 9/11, they make it impossible to get into the secure areas without a boarding pass...

Whatever advice or experiences you have to share will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Z

There will be plenty of people on her flight to NY that will speak Russian...and who have to go through the same lines.

Also she can ask the flight attendants who can ask ahead that an interpreter be available.

[shikarnov 7]

you can arrange for guide to meet her at the other side of the exit door (concierge, airport employee, travellers committee, etc) and walk her through to the next things ...

I found these guys... I wonder if they're any good... https://www.airportconciergeservices.com

[Darnell 8,478]

I would love to arrange for a guide, but can't seem to find any guide services online. Maybe I'm not using the right search criteria. Any suggestions?

call the airport info service.

prolly not have that name.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I made up one with her name and other information for the CBP person and provided my wife's cell phone number. It is a good idea to have one side in Russian and the other in English so she can read what she needs help with and show it to the person. I started all English versions with, "Please excuse me, but I do not speak English. Would you be so kind as to help me find...." and on the Russian side it was one word like gate or toilet or terminal or check-in. I founds a copy of the Customs Declaration form and sent it to her already filled out for her. I agree with the others that getting thru immigrations will not be a problem as she will be with others that speak Russian. Her problems are when she needs to get to the connecting flight to DFW. As long as she can understand the English letters for the gates she should be fine, but I would have someone from the airlines help her with a cart or wheelchair and have her give them $5 for their help. If you MIL is like mine, she will do just fine and surprise you with how easy it was for her.

Does she has any means in being able to call you or your wife after she gets into the US? Payphones are becoming rare as everybody relies on cell phones. If she has a smart phone, does she have and know how to use the Skype feature? It might help to know that she made it to the gate okay.

Good luck,

Dave

[Neonred 3,562]

We had this issue with my wife's uncle flying from Moscow to Fort Myers (on Delta) with a plane change in Atlanta. He speaks no English, and has a hearing imparement. I called Delta twice and requested assistance for him, but of course no one met him to help. He found one of the flight attendants from his plane and got them to point him in the right direction. Some how he made it.

[vbtwo 54]

Since she's flying Aeroflot, there will be lots of people who speak both Russian and English to help her out when arriving. She can ask the flight attendants for help filling out the customs form (Aeroflot magazine also has a sample in it with translation into Russian). After she gets out, it might be harder. She would need to go to a different terminal (via Airtrain - Aeroflot arrives at terminal 1, Delta is either terminal 2 or 4 - find out here: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/where-we-fly/destinations/featured-locations/new-york-city/our-new-home-at-jfk.html) and then check in to the Delta flight. Hopefully she can maybe find someone from her plane that also needs to continue to a Delta flight and go with them (Delta should have all check-in counters shared, check-in for any flight at any counter).

[Neonred 3,562]

Since she's flying Aeroflot, there will be lots of people who speak both Russian and English to help her out when arriving. She can ask the flight attendants for help filling out the customs form (Aeroflot magazine also has a sample in it with translation into Russian). After she gets out, it might be harder. She would need to go to a different terminal (via Airtrain - Aeroflot arrives at terminal 1, Delta is either terminal 2 or 4 - find out here: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/where-we-fly/destinations/featured-locations/new-york-city/our-new-home-at-jfk.html) and then check in to the Delta flight. Hopefully she can maybe find someone from her plane that also needs to continue to a Delta flight and go with them (Delta should have all check-in counters shared, check-in for any flight at any counter).

Probably should have flown Delta the whole way to avoid the terminal change at JFK.

[Darnell 8,478]

i not have the exact answer for JFK airport,

however,

a google search using terms 'jfk airport concierge service' returned what seemed to be reputable companies. I suggest click through, find a phone number, start yer inquiry and state need a russian speaker for meet up and walk through.