Progress thread for TSC filers now between NVC and Interview Stage

[rob999 51]

We flew BA for a couple trips and definitely the service is better. But being in Houston, United has the share of the market. And they now fly the 787 from Houston to Heathrow, which makes a huge difference in reducing jet lag for both of us. BA flies old 747's from Houston and is always slightly more expensive than United. So the $ and the new plane make United our choice normally.

I agree, I currently use BA as I have tons of miles with them and Silver but that'll run out early next year. But BA are getting more expensive and stingy with miles. I'll be switching to United for the 787 as the BA 747's are so old now and the 787 are much better in avoiding the jet lag.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

And they now fly the 787 from Houston to Heathrow, which makes a huge difference in reducing jet lag for both of us.

787 are much better in avoiding the jet lag.

??????

Explain.

[Wooderz 314]

The cabin in the 787 is pressurized to a lower altitude than the 777's or any other older plane. It also has some ambient lighting that helps me sleep better. Rob may know more than I do but I believe the main thing is the cabin pressurization. Getting off that plane, I feel less groggy, more alert and it carries over into the following days, as well.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Wooderz

[rob999 51]

The cabin in the 787 is pressurized to a lower altitude than the 777's or any other older plane. It also has some ambient lighting that helps me sleep better. Rob may know more than I do but I believe the main thing is the cabin pressurization. Getting off that plane, I feel less groggy, more alert and it carries over into the following days, as well.

Yup

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/jul/23/travelnews.theairlineindustry

With all these things it works differently for everyone, I have had people rave at me about it, but with better lighting, bigger windows, cleaner air and just being a newer plane the general feeling I get from people is that it's more "pleasant" experience so your body is more inclined to get a better sleep or rest depending on day/night flight. Certainly I heard you feel less groggy or having that plane smell/feeling when coming off the plane onto the air bridge.

Of course if you are unlucky and sit next to a screaming baby for 10hrs then you probably aren't going to see the benefits of a 787 on that flight!

As usual depends on airline too, I heard some airlines looking into mood lighting for night scenes etc

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-22/airlines-add-mood-lighting-to-chill-passengers-out

Edited July 9, 2015 by rob999

[ChasUno 101]

Might be worth just stumping up for the one-way in that case just to be sure! Thanks for the tip on that one.

No, no, that's not what I was implying. I was warning people booking a return flight who intended to only use the outbound flight, to ensure that they cancelled the return and not leave it hanging in the system. The reports of people being logged as having left the USA when the "unused" return flight was re-sold and used by another passenger are likely to be extremely rare, and probably more down to administration error. However, there is still a possibility it could happen. Better safe than sorry, and for the sake of a few minutes to contact the airlines to cancel the return trip upon arrival in the USA, this will tie up all the loose ends and remove any doubt that the passenger somehow gets recorded as having left the USA (whilst going through AOS) when they haven't.

Get the best deal you can, be it a return, one way or by using air miles.

Edited July 9, 2015 by ChasUno

[ChasUno 101]

Chas, take a look at this link: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/reservations/samedaychange.aspx. Remember this is only for same day changes.

Ah, that makes it a lot more clear. It has some restrictions on the type of tickets that are eligible to be rescheduled, and the flight can only be changed to another flight that departs within 24 hours of the original flight:

"The same-day flight change option will be available within 24 hours before your originally scheduled flight. The requested flight must be departing within 24 hours from the time the request is made and can include any fare class, though you may be required to pay the difference in fare. Changes must be made prior to your original scheduled flight."

I think that might help someone who's really cut it close to the wire, though I think with the ambiguity regarding the time from interview to receiving the visa, some worry that the visa might arrive weeks later and well past the date they booked their flight. In those cases, they would need much greater flexibility to change their departure date.

Still, it's useful to know about the United same day change option for other trips - thanks for sharing

[yuna628 9,676]

Last flight I took left me with terrible airsickness, to the point I never noticed the jet lag. BA is absolutely getting worse with their flying miles rewards and the one thing I always wish they'd fix is the food. He usually is the one that can sleep on that plane.. I'm awake the whole 10hrs. I don't know how people can sleep through the noise, the ear pain, and jostling.

[ChasUno 101]

The only reason I think a one-way is a good idea is if you want to: fly in pure style first class with all frills and have a butt-ton of frequent flier miles to cash in with. Which is what we have going for us, and that's why we picked that option. Or if you are especially paranoid about any potential, yet unlikely hiccup.

If you use airmiles, a one way in other classes can work out very cheap. American offered one way flights with 30K miles (August 10th), and the only fee to pay was £128.77. The flights offered at 30K miles were very limited and with long connection times so they weren't the best. However, the same one way flights booked at full fare were all well over £1200, and the returns weren't far behind! I opted for the next class up (AAanytime), which required 45K miles and the same fee of £128.77, plus it also gave me a much wider (and better) choice of flight times and routes. It also gave me complimentary Main Cabin Extra seat choice (American's verision of Premium Economy) and priority boarding! It was a no brainer for me to book a one way and use some of my miles, and it would likely be the same for others IF they have enough airmiles for a transatlantic flight. If K1's don't have enough airmiles to use, then their best option would be to book a return and cancel the return leg once in the USA.

[Wooderz 314]

Great idea Chas. Daniel and I will look into doing the same for his flight. I was even thinking of upgrading him to premium economy as a little welcome home gift.

You're right that the United policy is only useful if you're very close to getting your passport back and need just an extra day. Nonetheless there could be other situations where it applies. I wonder if I could have convinced Daniel to stay just one more day if we had known about that policy for all these years I've been crying in the airport begging for him to stay a little longer. Lol

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Waiting for this visa to come is a killer. Another girl from London who was issued same day as ours has hers. Ugh!!!! I'm gonna lose my mind lol

What date did yours change to issued? You could try calling the depot you chose tomorrow and quiz them. Cry a little and make them feel sorry for you. See what you can get out of them. The phone numbers are in the pinned K1 guide. Ask about Saturdays, etc.

[dizzdemey 31]

What date did yours change to issued? You could try calling the depot you chose tomorrow and quiz them. Cry a little and make them feel sorry for you. See what you can get out of them. The phone numbers are in the pinned K1 guide. Ask about Saturdays, etc.

Our date changed Tuesday morning. Not sure which depot...he's having it delivered to his house as he is so far from a pick up area. I really hope tomorrow maybe?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Our date changed Tuesday morning. Not sure which depot...he's having it delivered to his house as he is so far from a pick up area. I really hope tomorrow maybe?

You pick a depot first when you sign up, then go back and select home delivery. So closest one I guess. It's only been two days so not unheard of. Who else changed Tues and already has delivery? That's fast.

[dizzdemey 31]

You pick a depot first when you sign up, then go back and select home delivery. So closest one I guess. It's only been two days so not unheard of. Who else changed Tues and already has delivery? That's fast.

It was a girl from London on another forum whose visa was issued on Tuesday as well. I'll have to ask Scott what he thinks. I was so hoping to have him here this weekend. Wedding is now next weekend. Same deal with the marriage license waiting. My nerves are shot! Lol

[Elle&Kev 120]

It was a girl from London on another forum whose visa was issued on Tuesday as well. I'll have to ask Scott what he thinks. I was so hoping to have him here this weekend. Wedding is now next weekend. Same deal with the marriage license waiting. My nerves are shot! Lol

Erin find out which depot he picked and then look up their hours and days. Some do work on Saturdays but some don't. Has he got a tracking number yet?

[dizzdemey 31]

Erin find out which depot he picked and then look up their hours and days. Some do work on Saturdays but some don't. Has he got a tracking number yet?

Scott hasn't received anything yet. I was hoping he would have something by now. He's asleep but based on googling, his closest depot is Willenhall/Wolverhampton.

After googling I saw they have a hub actually in his town which is unusual being a small town??

Edited July 10, 2015 by dizzdemey