FEBRUARY 2019 K-1 NOA2 ----> NVC

[Prizm123 1,086]

1 minute ago, JMEngland said:

awesome! so looks like 2 days for the packet to arrive, 5 days after that for the email then. seems in line with historic times. I'm thinking that if ours arrives on a Thursday as yours did, Wednesday should be safe. 

i would venture that yours might be on the Tuesday, because the packet physically arrive in Kyiv on Friday, but it was a holiday, so you may have it quicker by a day, if that helps

[JMEngland 438]

21 minutes ago, Cammmy said:

Thank you, He did call NVC and got our case number.  Hopefully i'll get my packet soon. 

With luck your packet should be on the way to the Embassy on the 19th then

[JMEngland 438]

Just now, Prizm123 said:

i would venture that yours might be on the Tuesday, because the packet physically arrive in Kyiv on Friday, but it was a holiday, so you may have it quicker by a day, if that helps

I'm hoping that is the case. I think once we verify arrival of the packet to the Embassy I'm going to schedule it for the following Wednesday and hope that we are good. That will give a decent buffer for her to receive her passport back before the following weekend. I'm going to try to fly her in either on the 5th or 6th, depending on when she has visa in hand and prices and availability of flights. 

[Prizm123 1,086]

6 minutes ago, JMEngland said:

I'm hoping that is the case. I think once we verify arrival of the packet to the Embassy I'm going to schedule it for the following Wednesday and hope that we are good. That will give a decent buffer for her to receive her passport back before the following weekend. I'm going to try to fly her in either on the 5th or 6th, depending on when she has visa in hand and prices and availability of flights. 

that sounds awesome! post pics when she arrives

[JMEngland 438]

Just now, Prizm123 said:

that sounds awesome! post pics when she arrives

I will! it's going to be such a big day for both of us, probably the most memorable day in both of our lives. Already gathering friends to put together a surprise party for when we arrive home from the airport 😁😁😁

[Swafford 67]

11 minutes ago, JMEngland said:

I'm hoping that is the case. I think once we verify arrival of the packet to the Embassy I'm going to schedule it for the following Wednesday and hope that we are good. That will give a decent buffer for her to receive her passport back before the following weekend. I'm going to try to fly her in either on the 5th or 6th, depending on when she has visa in hand and prices and availability of flights. 

Have you seen the British airline that's flying from Manchester to Orlando?  I was pricing flights yesterday and from Atlanta, one way without baggage was coming in at $256 to Kyiv. I pulled it up on Kayak as I recall.

[JMEngland 438]

1 minute ago, Swafford said:

Have you seen the British airline that's flying from Manchester to Orlando?  I was pricing flights yesterday and from Atlanta, one way without baggage was coming in at $256 to Kyiv. I pulled it up on Kayak as I recall.

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

[Swafford 67]

4 minutes ago, JMEngland said:

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

I've been getting tickets out of Atlanta on KLM, AF, and Delta for around 670 round trip through either Paris or Amsterdam.  I really don't mind what I do flying over, something new sounds interesting to me so I may just do the one through Orlando for the curiosity of the new airline.  On the way back, I want to fly her into NYC.  At first, I had what I thought was the coolest idea of taking the short cheap flight from Kyiv to the UK and coming back on the 7 day cruise on the QM2.  It sails into NY harbor.  I thought this would be an awesome way to arrive in the US for the first time.  She is a bit of a worry wart and was afraid of difficulties with the transit visa in the UK.  A Ukrainian can easily get a transit visa that permits they in the UK for up to 48 hours as long as they have proof of continuing transportation to somewhere else.  I think she may have been a little afraid of the ship as well.  Sometimes we forget what might bring about anxiety to someone who's never experienced the things we're familiar with.  Take for example our trip to Disneyland in Paris for someone who has never stepped foot in an amusement park or ride of any kind.... We were standing in line for Indiana Jones Temple of Doom (as I recall the name) and she started tearing up and said "I am very afraid" but she was determined to press through her fears and we had a hell of a time that day on our great adventure.

 

I ramble on but there are so many options.  I'm an AVID shopper and I've gotten all my tickets through www.lastminutefaredeal.com  I had never heard of it before but it's been amazing at getting quality tickets at awesome prices, especially if you give them some wiggle room.  Many times they won't post the name of the airline in their ads but when you call them, it typically ends up being KLM or AF, both top notch carriers in my mind.  Also don't forget that UAL flies once a day a direct flight from Kyiv to NYC non stop.  With that said, I have heard that it's a new 777 but that it's a little cramped for tall folks.  I have no personal experience with this particular flight but have flown UAL to Stockholm, Paris, and Barcelona.  They compared to a basic low cost carrier in the US such as frontier, spirit, jet blue, etc.  Not bad just different and all the UA stewardesses remind me so much of the "simply irresistable" girls in Robert Palmer's video from back in the 80's lol.  Pricing can at times be unbelievable and at other times surprisingly more.  Checked baggage is always a concern with UAL, especially if you book through a third party.  Sometimes the sites say the checked bag is included by UAL will quickly inform you it's not and you'll never convince them otherwise.  UAL does give 50% off pre-purchased check baggage purchases if you go online and do it prior to your trip.  You may know all of this but I tend to ramble in hopes that my obsessive compulsive work benefits someone else!

[Etek&Ahududu 43]

1 hour ago, JMEngland said:

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

I flew direct between NYC and Kiev on UIA and it was very affordable - could you possibly meet her in New York and then travel the rest of the way together? 

[Prizm123 1,086]

1 hour ago, JMEngland said:

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

found this on https://www.skyscanner.com/transport/flights/kiev/clt/190405/?adults=1&children=0&adultsv2=1&childrenv2=&infants=0&cabinclass=economy&rtn=0&preferdirects=false&outboundaltsenabled=false&inboundaltsenabled=false&ref=home#details/12911-1904050945--31728-1-10602-1904051914. POE JFK just enough time to clear customs then to charlotte

 

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2019 by Prizm123

[wxman22 109]

2 hours ago, JMEngland said:

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

I totally agree with you and flying the first time and transferring with limited English. 

 

I would check for the cheapest port of entry based on the best flight from KBP (Kyiv) to  to USA. KBP to JFK NONSTOP is $539, OW.  I have not spent any time looking at Ukraine's flight routes, but I would pick on that is Nonstop to USA.

Then meet her at JFK. JFK to DFW can be had for less than $200 each. 

[JMEngland 438]

15 minutes ago, wxman22 said:

I totally agree with you and flying the first time and transferring with limited English. 

 

I would check for the cheapest port of entry based on the best flight from KBP (Kyiv) to  to USA. KBP to JFK NONSTOP is $539, OW.  I have not spent any time looking at Ukraine's flight routes, but I would pick on that is Nonstop to USA.

Then meet her at JFK. JFK to DFW can be had for less than $200 each. 

I can't go that far, I have to stay fairly local (military). to be able to go to New York I'd have to put in leave, and my unit requires it well in advance (already past the cutoff I believe) . I just don't think it would be practical, but I might look into it, just in case. I would essentially just need to fly into New York, turn right back around and check back in. not really too bad of an idea though, pending Army approval for me to "leave the state". If we did that I'd just have us fly right into my city, we have an airport. 

[wxman22 109]

Exactly. When I was in the Air Force, t=having to take leave during days off because of leaving the state or country was always an issue. Depended on the CC. I always thought it was unfair if we had the days off, but then that's why I got out. 

 

Check the route Ukraine Airlines flies and see what works. 

Even if you don't meet her in NY, the non stop on Ukraine Air is very important.

Just make sure you get her a connecting flight from the same terminal at JFK. 

Also at JFK there will be someone who speaks Ukrainian or Russian. 

Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way.

[wxman22 109]

I'm sitting at the airport at LAX now, so I took a look. It seems Ukrainian Air flies Nonstop to JFK only in the USA.

So, I would start there. 

PS231 arrives JFL T7 at 12:25, then the best flight would be on Delta to CLT  or RDU  , both for $86 

So one way can be done with one change at JFK for about $620, the only issue is she must change terminals at JFK.

 

Also I just checked the link you had above, that also looks good and is the best if the transfer to Jet Blue is also in Term 7.

Edited March 13, 2019 by wxman22

[Greenbaum 12,259]

16 hours ago, JMEngland said:

I've just been comparing full flights from Kyiv to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Dulles (all within driving distance and available as port of entry) I've been finding them around $750 for one way, give or take depending on when I check. I'm trying to keep transfers to just one, because she doesn't really speak English and gets overwhelmed easy. It's going to be her first time flying, so I'm worried about her somehow missing a transfer and getting stranded. If I could pay double that and get a direct flight I would, but they just simply aren't available from Kyiv. 

You can use the meet and assist services from the airline that are provided to minors. Those same service are available for elderly travelers and those needing extra assistance because of language barriers. This would make sure someone receives her at the gate, takes her through the terminal, and places her at the priority queue for the next flight.

 

The other thing you can do for her is minimize her transit points. Try to find a route that has at max one stop. Keep in mind that she/he should have a minumum 4 hour layover to transverse through immigration, baggage, custom's and a stop for a meal or snack on their way to the gate.

 

At most shops they can charge you in the local currency or a major currency; also if you pay in cash (very rare, but happens) they will reimburse you in the local currency.

 

Print off a terminal map with directions from one area of the airport to her departing gate. Send it the day before or if the airlines always uses those gates then a few days before so that she can print them.

 

Have a phone with him/her. Make sure it supports all of the frequencies the countries she's going through are using (most newer phones do, but some older phones don't), and a SIM card that has roaming enabled. If she can use a smartphone then also try to get a SIM card that supports data roaming as in that case she could also use tools like Google Translate services around the world, however you can also pre-download dictionaries for offline use for Google Translate, which might come in handy.

 

Have him/her with a paper of translations of usual sentences in (a) her own language, (b) in English, and (c) in all of the local languages of the international hubs she is going through.

 

All this can be daunting for someone that has a language barrier.