Going2USA

Words of Advice: Always keep a photocopy of your tickets, passport some other place also and leave a copy of them in India!!! In case they got lost or stolen, you will realize how wise it was to do the same.!! )

Important things you must know prior to travel [Top]

Luggage

Try to use suitcases with wheels .
Try to carry minimal hand luggage.
Always carry valuable jewelry and medicines with you (in your hand luggage) & not in your checked in baggage.
Try to carry only as much luggage as you can manage yourself as porters may not be always available.
Make sure that your hand luggage does not exceed the dimensions allowed by the airlines. If it does, it may have to be put in the cargo hold & any fragile items you have may break.
Buy suitcases with dimensions (length, width, height) not exceeding 273 cms (107 inches). The linear dimension of each piece should not exceed 158cms(62 inches). Permissible dimensions of hand baggage for all classes are 55x40x20 cms.
Weight allowed is 70 lbs per suitcase and maximum 2 bags are allowed per person besides hand bags.
Refer to your airline tickets about the baggage rules and regulations.
Always remove old baggage-claim tags and make sure each piece of luggage is clearly marked with your name, address, and phone number (including your work address and phone number is also a good idea).

Medical Insurance

Take the medical insurance. Medical treatment is very expensive in USA if you need medical treatment for some reason or for some unexpected reasons.

Documents

Keep all your immigration and other important documents with you in your hand baggage.
Do not accept last minute packages in the airport from anybody (if accepted, check the contents before you pack).
During your travel, do not give your passport and other papers to anyone, execpt when asked by immigration officials
After getting visa at the consulate, make sure that your name and passport number in visa is same as in the passport. If it is not, bring it to the notice of consulate and get it corrected.

While traveling

Apart from important documents (passport, work papers, academic records etc.), keep a set of clothes in your hand baggage so that you can survive for a week incase of the loss or delay of your luggage.
If you are traveling further from the Port of Entry (for example, JFK at New York), it is advisable to personally check in your luggage and not let Airport or Airline people to handle your baggage.
In case your luggage is delayed during local travel (intra-U.S), contact the airline authorities for any compensation. In such cases the airlines people will deliver your luggage to your apartment (as a mark of courtesy, tip the person who delivers your luggage with a couple of dollars).

At the airport

Reach at the airport 2-3 hours before the departure time. This will prevent you from being victims of airline overbooking and also, there are many formalities that you have to go through when you go on a international flight. Finally, it never hurts to be early than to be late!
Once you arrive at your gate, ask the agent to place you next to an empty seat if one is available. If the flight is not full, the agent can often accommodate this request.
Always call your airline to reconfirm international flights 72 hours before.

Money

Carry as little currency as possible, and instead use travelers checks, ATM cards, and credit cards for your spending needs.
Available at your local bank and great for periodic purchases, travelers checks are still wise alternatives to ATM and credit cards. If they're lost or stolen, you can always phone a toll-free number to report the incident and get your money reimbursed, usually within 24 hours.

Avoid Thefts

Laptop computers disappear from airports with alarming frequency, and traveling with one presents its own set of security issues. When you must bring your computer to the airport, do not let it out of your sight.
In the restroom, don't leave anything hanging on hooks at the top of the door to the stall. It is very easy for a thief to reach over and grab your belongings, and very difficult for you to do anything about it
If you think you might doze off while waiting for a flight, be sure to loop an arm or a leg through the strap of any bag you may have with you.
It is very important that you watch your luggage and hand bag, even when you are going through the X-Ray machine. Beware of people sneaking something illegal into your luggage.

Important things you must know while staying in the US [Top]

In Emergency: In case of emergencies only, dial "911" a number for POLICE/FIRE ENGINE/AMBULANCE. If it is done without any purpose of emergency, you might be charged with a fine for using Public Service. Do not ever play or test with this number; even if you dial and disconnect immediately you will find a "Cop knocking at your door in 5 minutes". Use this number only when there is an emergency.

If you loose your passport: There are two options:

1) You can get what is known as a "Exit Permit" - which will allow you to leave the US. You can then apply for a passport in India.

2) If you want a passport in the US - you need to apply for it and takes minimum 3 months because they have to refer to India for some of your records. The following documents are required to be submitted along with application for duplicate Passports:
Get more information on getting a duplicate passport (in lieu of lost/ damaged passports)

Emergency Certificate: An Emergency Certificate (one way travel document) which authorizes an Indian national to enter India, is issued to a citizen of India whose Passport has been lost/stolen/damaged, and who needs to return to India urgently without waiting to complete the formalities for issue of a duplicate passport. The applicant has to provide complete information about his/her Indian nationality to the satisfaction of the Consular officer. An Emergency Certificate is issued to an individual primarily to enable him/her to return to India.

For Emergency Services some additional amount is charged. Such services are provided only in cases of genuine emergency such as death of illness in the family and cases not falling in the prior approval category, requiring clearance from India. Contact the Indian Consulates in USA for more details.

Prefer Travelers checks: Merchants and financial institutions the world over accept them. Traveler's checks are offered in a variety of currencies and denominations. If lost or stolen, traveler's checks can be replaced with a phone call, usually within 24 hours. They don't expire, so you can use your unused traveler's checks for your next trip or take them back to your hometown and get them reimbursed.

Traveler's checks can be purchased at any bank, or financial institutions around the world. The most commonly used traveler's checks are: American Express Traveler's Checks, Thomas Cook, Visa Traveler's Checks, MasterCard Traveler's Checks.

Language differences: There are some words that are used differently here as compared to in India. For ex. If you want to use a toilet or a bathroom, it is called a restroom or washroom in the USA. Find out some more useful and interesting differences in language and terminology used in the US.

What to do when things go wrong [Top]

When you miss the connection! : If you ever miss your connection flight dont panic, approach the service desk and they will put you on the next flight. You can also call airline 800 number if the line is too long at the service desk. Sometimes they'll let you rebook because of a missed connection over the phone. If the flight you want to be rebooked on is "full", it may pay to ask the agents whether upgrading to first class will make a difference. While booking the tickets ask your travel agent whether there will be enough time for you to make the connection, and if they think it's close, what other flights are available that leave the connecting city a little later.

When the luggage get lost : The US domestic baggage liability limit is a maximum of $1,250.00 per passenger. Keep in mind that these are maximum amounts--the airline can pay less if it decides that the depreciated value of your articles is worth less. The airline can also choose to pay you a figure based on the weight of the luggage. A minimum waiting period of one week is required before baggage can be declared lost. About 98% of bags reported missing are returned to the owners. When a bag is declared loss, you will have to submit paperwork to the airline documenting the value of the bags and their contents. You may not necessarily get full value for all the lost items. Reimbursement will come 2-6 weeks later. Airlines do not reimburse for currency, photographic or electronic equipment (e.g., cameras, stereos, VCRs, camcorders, CD players, telephones, etc.), rare and expensive jewelry or artistic works, or medication, unless prior arrangements were made (e.g., excess valuation insurance was purchased).

When the luggage gets damaged: If your bags are damaged, approach air service staff and the airline will either fix them, reimburse you for the cost of repairs, give you new bags, or pay for the cost of replacing them, depending on the amount of damage. You must report any damage within 7 days. If your bags are damaged before you check them, the airlines will ask you to sign a damage waiver at check in, which states the nature of the damage and exempts the airline for that damage. Otherwise, if the bags arrive damaged and the airline didn't have you sign a waiver, the airline is fully liable for the condition of the bags. Normal wear and tear, of course, is not subject to a damage claim. Carry-on bags are not subject to damage claims, except in clear cases of airline negligence (e.g., flight attendant moves your bags, damaging them).

When the luggage gets delayed: If your luggage doesn't appear on the baggage-claim carousel, don't panic just yet. Most luggage is only delayed or misrouted, rather than missing. The following tips will help you get your luggage back in a timely manner.

File a missing-luggage form--even if the airline agent insists that your bags will turn up on the next flight. Don't leave without a copy of the report and the airline's toll-free claims-department phone number.
While you're awaiting the arrival of delayed luggage, hold on to your baggage-claim tags. However, if the airline insists on taking them in order to locate your luggage, make sure to get photocopies or a written receipt. And if the delay was not your fault (in other words, not a result of late check-in, etc.), insist that the airline deliver your bags free of charge; some airlines actually try to charge you for delivery of baggage they misdirected.
Don't forget to inquire about the airline's reimbursement policy for essential items you must purchase due to the delay of your luggage. The specific amount will vary depending on certain factors such as how long your bags are delayed and the length of time you'll be traveling. A typical per diem rate ranges from $25 to $50.

Overbooked flight: Since airlines routinely sell more seats than are available on each flight (factoring in a certain number of no-shows), it's no surprise that flights are overbooked on a regular basis. When this occurs, airlines have no choice but to bump people from flights. If you are bumped involuntarily or if your flight is canceled, you might be better off avoiding the often-crowded ticket counter when you need to rebook your ticket. Instead, head for the nearest phone and call the airline's toll-free reservations number

When airlines bump passengers, they usually begin with the people who checked in last (even if they arrived before the check-in deadline). This is why it's important to get your name punched into the computer as soon as possible by reaching the airport early. Even if you already have a boarding pass, or don't need to check luggage, it pays to check in at the ticket counter if the line is short. Remember, it may take you 10 minutes or more just to walk to your departure gate.

Ear Pain in the flight: During take-off and landing, the cabin pressure changes which may cause ear blocking and ear pain. This may be relieved by chewing gum, or by opening your mouth widely as if you were yawning. Carry candies to chew and some cotton balls to stuff your ears, as it is not provided in most of the international flights. If you are traveling with a severe cold, then this pain will get worse. In such case carry some nasal drops, or medicine for cold. Consult a doctor, in case you have a problem.

Useful Links [Top]

Travelling by air - Lists information about space limitations in the plane, air sickness etc.

Air Travel health Tips: Gives information about Jet Lag, Ear pressure etc

Flying with babies/ children: Good tips for flying with the kids

Contact Us	Legal disclaimer	Advertisement
Copyright � 1998 - 2005 going2usa.com All rights reserved.