End of the road

[shaun]

Mike has taught in public school in Nanshan.  I don't know his current status though.  His primary teaching is English.  You might be better off to get her a private teacher once she arrives in Colorado.  At least the curriculum they teach will apply to the school in America.

Check with the school you've enrolled her in.  They should have a list of tutors.  They can teach her via skype or qq.  Then there won't be any question of what she has learned for a month.  Plus the local tutor can help her adjust once she is in Colorado.  All school systems in America have tutors they approve of and accept.

[Arnold]

I guess Gerry doesn't know our old friend the China Shark? Has it been that long, he's banned from here?

[Pineau]

Never met China Shark. I just read a lot about him until I was ready to puke.  I think Shaun has a good idea. Get her a private tutor when she arrives here. I don't think the Skype teaching will work because of the time difference.

[Pineau]

I think once you have a track record with the Chines immigrations office they are more considerate. I have been getting 1 year multi entry VISAs since 2000.  I just got another one today.  The VISA service agency told me I wouldn't get it but I asked them to try anyway and sure enough I got it.

Katie is enrolled in the Charter school only 2 blocks from our house. She will start school late but they are holding her seat for her.

[Pineau]

I just talked to Fiona, Her plane has arrived in Guangzhou. She is tired and hungry. We started this trek at 4:00 Am yesterday so from start to finish was 28 hours.

Here is a surprise I was not expecting. I booked her on a United flight that goes from Denver- Vancouver- Beijing - Guangzhou.  Well at check-in we are told that she could not go because she did not have a Canadian visa. Surprise, Surprise, I was not aware that you need a Canadian VISA JUST to PASS THROUGH THE AIRPORT and make your connection.

Nearly had a heart attack.  Its 5:00 am and we were told to come back when she had a VISA. NOWHERE ON UNITEDs WEBSITE does it mention this when you book the ticket.  But that's the law now days. So I had to book her on a different flight through Japan that is not so anal retentive about transit passengers.   SO beware if your passing through Canada you cant even use the toilet there if you arrive on a plane.

The good news is she is there safe and sound and can start getting ready for Katie's interview. They should be home in a few weeks.

[Arnold]

One more reason, I will never fly United.. even if it's free!
What a dumb Law, leave it up to Canada to have their own. I would have been pissed, having to change my Flight's... which most likely cost you some extra for canceling with the idiot's on an restricted Ticket.

[Pineau]

Fiona's sister drove to Canada last month and the border crossing just required showing the green-card. The stupid thing about this is that passport and green-card holders can come and go as they please they are walking or in a vehicle. But if you arrive via airplane a whole other set of rules apply.,   Its really dumb.

[Vince G]

  Something not right there? International flight with a stop in Canada shouldn't need a visa? Can't leave the airport, yes. But can fly in? Now I'm curious if there was a change or given wrong info?  Well...


With international connecting flights, check to see if the country you will be making a connection at requires a transit visa to go through their airport. Some countries, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom require all passengers to go pass through customs and immigration even if they are just transferring between international flights. You may find it easier if you can avoid passing through these destinations, particularly the United States which has the same requirements for a transit visa as for a tourist visa. Others, such as Hong Kong and Australia will require certain nationalities to obtain a visa even if they plan to remain in the sterile area. You are responsible for procuring all the necessary visas before you fly; request them as early as possible.  

[Neil]

Yeah, that doesn't seem right to me either.

My brother is married to a Nigerian woman.  On his first trip, he landed in Nigeria, but was not allowed to leave the airport because he didn't have a visa.

[Pineau]

 
The auto Check in kiosk rejected us. The roaming United rep verified it and commented it happens a lot.
And the two ticketing agents I spoke with all agreed . You cant fly to through Canada without a VISA.
It doesn't seem right to me either but I had three people and a computer telling me the same thing. Who you going to argue with at 5:00 in the morning?

[Martin]

I fly through Canada all the time, and have never needed a visa.

[Willy The Londoner]

Yeah, that doesn't seem right to me either.

My brother is married to a Nigerian woman.  On his first trip, he landed in Nigeria, but was not allowed to leave the airport because he didn't have a visa.

Well a few Niara paves the way anywhere in Nigeria.  When I was flying from Lagos I was always asked by customs if I wanted my baggage checked before loading or not. Of course the 'or not' meant handing over money.  I wonder just what could be smuggled on board planes from there.

Then again with Lagos as we where making an approach one evening all the runway lights went out. The pilot flew around for a long time then we went off to Ghana to refuel and we sat in the plane in Accra airport for 5 hours before word came back that the lights were on in Nigeria again.

Willy

[Martin]

Well, if they are students in Canada, why would they want to go to the USA?  I mean, nothing on that side of the border that's very interesting. All the cool stuff is up north....back bacon, Mounties, better beer....I could probably go on.

[Vince G]

Admit it Martin Canada is the USA's little sister. Mounties? yeah our women have them too.

[Pineau]

In the list of airlines in the China Transit Program United airlines is not listed. And Denver is not listed as any of the originating cities.
Most of the airlines are Asian and All of the originating cities are Asia. I think the  China Transit Program is geared toward people traveling through Canada on flights that originate in China, Manila, or Taiwan.
 
Other than the onset of panic and frustration it turned out well. She went from Denver-Tokyo-Guangzhou which is one less connection for the same price and arrived two hours later than before. She actually needed that two hour layover in Tokyo to get boarding passes and find her gate .
       
I think the kiosk (which scans your passport) would/should have asked to scan her US VISA. I think  the agents would/should have asked more questions about her residency.  It really does not matter at this point. Mix up or not I will not fly through any Canadian airport without double checking with both airlines before I purchase tickets. I suggest that you do the same cause like I said who are you going to argue with at 5 in the morning.