Travel querry

[msu17 0]

We're looking at flights for when my SO enters on his K1. We are debating between one flight that goes from Manchester (which he lives closer to) to JFK (2.5 hr layover) to Detroit. OR London to Detroit direct. Price is 1 pound different. Which do you think makes more sense? Thanks!

[YuAndDan 153]

Many try to go through JFK, for the Temp EAD stamp that they may get from the POE there, JFK seems to be the only airport that does the stamp. If this is not your concern then a direct flight is always preferable, to avoid a problem before or during the layover, I always get nervous when there is a problem with the first flight that cuts into the layover time.

[msu17 0]

Ya, I know about the temp EAD stamp. I was kinda looking for peoples thoughts on whether it was worth it for the 3 months you get? Thanks!

[featherB 1]

I got it, but (46 days in) am yet to make use of it. But then, that's because I'm a lazy slacker and haven't actually bothered applying for any jobs. Now that I've only got 6 weeks until my temp EAD runs out, it's probably not even worth it. If he's more motivated than I am, or it's even remotely likely that he'll want to work during those 90 days, I'd say it'd definitely be worth it - it can't hurt to have it, after all.

Only thing I'd be worried about is the 2.5 hour layover... if he missed that connecting flight, is there a later one he could get? The lines for immigration were crazy when I came through, it took me over an hour to get to the front, I think. Then again, they were going up and down the lines making sure that people with connecting flights got to go to the front of the queue, and even with my hour-long wait to get through immigation, a 2.5 hour layover would probably have been just about enough (it's not like check-in closes very early for domestic flights, anyway!)... but there's always the possibility of the Manchester - JFK flight being delayed, and that would be a bit of a disaster!

Hmm... I'd say go for it, so long as he has some way of getting there if he does end up missing his connecting flight!

[Lansbury 19]

You don't say which London airport but I believe the non stops to Detroit only go from Gatwick.

If that is the case it will take longer than the 2.5 hour layover in JFK to get to Gatwick (or Heathrow for that matter) if you are starting out from near Manchester.

Add to the fare from Gatwick the extra cost of getting there over Manchester and if it were me I go from Manchester.

[Lansbury 19]

Hmm... I'd say go for it, so long as he has some way of getting there if he does end up missing his connecting flight!

If he missed the connection because the flight out of MAN was delayed the airline will put him on their next available flight out of JFK to Detroit. Even if he got stuck at immigration on a full service airline and an international ticket it would be very harsh if the airline didn't just re book him at no cost.

[msu17 0]

Thanks for all your input! We're a bit worried about that short layover too

[Converse34 1]

They will certainly put him on the next flight FOC (free of charge). However, I would remind everyone that this is the summer season. Thunderstorms and full flights make it difficult. They could book him on the next flight, which may not be available until the next day. In which case he would be on standby behind every other elite member and higher paid booking class.

I sat on the runway for 4 hours last night at O'Hare trying to get to Newark. The flight finally canceled and there was nothing available until 4pm the next day. I have since missed my business meeting in New York and picked up the rest of my trip to San Fransico. I couldn't get out and I have all the inside connections, so please be careful with the tight connections everyone!

Hmm... I'd say go for it, so long as he has some way of getting there if he does end up missing his connecting flight!

If he missed the connection because the flight out of MAN was delayed the airline will put him on their next available flight out of JFK to Detroit. Even if he got stuck at immigration on a full service airline and an international ticket it would be very harsh if the airline didn't just re book him at no cost.

[Fandango 1,440]

If it were me, I'd do JFK. Just so D could have the option of working, which I'm sure he will want to. He won't pursue his career job with it...unless the co that he's already talking to won't mind a possible gap of an EAD, so we talked and he said he'd love to even just tend bar while getting stuck in...summat to get him out of the house & feeling productive.

I'm actually going to meet him in NY, spend a few days up there with him...take him to the Statue of Liberty, lol...make a big hooha over it. Ironically, I'm a NYer who has never been to the SoL anyways. But it'll be fun...then a road trip from NY to FL....sort of like a welcome to your new country adventure

[Mags 112]

Direct, direct, direct. Just my personal choice, can't stand having to fart ####### around between two airports when I could have just had one.

[featherB 1]

I'm actually going to meet him in NY, spend a few days up there with him...take him to the Statue of Liberty, lol...make a big hooha over it. Ironically, I'm a NYer who has never been to the SoL anyways. But it'll be fun...then a road trip from NY to FL....sort of like a welcome to your new country adventure

Aww... I had that idea (making a weekend of it in NY or something, getting C. to fly or drive up to meet me at JFK...) but he wasn't into it at all so I just got a connecting flight to Cincinnati instead - I reckon it's a fantastic plan - you might as well make the most of the whole JFK POE thing, I reckon!

I'm glad I came through JFK, even though I've not made use of the EA stamp so far. At least I only have my own laziness to blame for the fact that I've been doing sod all in the way of productive stuff for the last 6 weeks, and that I could go out and get a bar job or a temp position or something if I wanted. (Soon... soon... god, I'm terrified at the idea of actually having to apply for jobs for real... it's been a while... ).

Like I said... I'd go through JFK if possible, it's nice to have the option open...

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

We toyed with the idea of flying to New Haven, but you have to go via Philadelphia and I have heard some not-so-great stuff about using that as a POE. I hate having to do connections under normal circumstances, but when you're lugging all that cr*p with you as well as the immigrating love-of-your-life, counting on all the pieces to fall into place was too much of a leap of faith. So Newark, here we come!

Still, I take the point that getting down to Gatwick is a pain in the backside from the Manchester area if you're toting a lot of stuff with you. Is there some way he can get a lift from family or friends to the airport?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hmm... I'd say go for it, so long as he has some way of getting there if he does end up missing his connecting flight!

If he missed the connection because the flight out of MAN was delayed the airline will put him on their next available flight out of JFK to Detroit. Even if he got stuck at immigration on a full service airline and an international ticket it would be very harsh if the airline didn't just re book him at no cost.

Not always. If the original connecting-onward flight is the last one of the day, then they will oft "outsource" the connexion to a standby from LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR); unfortunately, many of the airlines haven't coordinated with the JFK-LGA bus (and AA's helicopter service between JFK and LGA has been defunct since prior to 2005; I couldn't tell you when between 1977 and 2005 it went that way).

[featherB 1]

I can't believe I somehow managed to miss the fact that you have an interview date (that should have been pretty obvious given that you're thinking about flights, but I'm a bit slow)....

CONGRATS!!!!!! And good luck - may it be an easy one!! (I'm sure it will be).

[Saddle Bronc 124]

You don't say which London airport but I believe the non stops to Detroit only go from Gatwick.

Nope, there's nonstop LHR/DTW connexions by BA--which have been long-used by LEF head Bro. Joe for his lots of travels.

If that is the case it will take longer than the 2.5 hour layover in JFK to get to Gatwick (or Heathrow for that matter) if you are starting out from near Manchester.

Add to the fare from Gatwick the extra cost of getting there over Manchester and if it were me I go from Manchester.

True, the last time one could get from Manchester to London for less than UK-LB 1 (by any means of transport), the UK-LB was not even decimaled (so you had to figure change in shillings, pence, ...).