Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisal
One thing I would like to respond to however is the post from PHXFlyer who says and I quote, "All aliens travelling to or through the United
States must be in possession of a valid visa. Should the call center agent have been aware if this? Absolutely. Should the OP have also been aware of this? Absolutely."
I agree with the first half of the statement in that the call centre should be aware of that. It is their job to know that. But why on earth should an Argentinian girl who has never left the borders of her own country know that to transit in the US (ie waiting in an airport to catch a connecting flight to the UK, she needs a transit visa.
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Because as someone traveling internationally it is incumbent on them to be aware of any and all rules and laws of entry to any country they visit or transit. Ignorance of a law does not excuse not being in compliance with said law. If she plans to continue to travel abroad she needs to be more diligent in learning these things. Perhaps this whole situation can be written off to a learning experience. Now it's time to move on and stop pointing your finger at the airline. Sure their mis-information was a contributing factor but your, and her, lack of follow-up to verify that information was just as much to blame.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisal
In all my years of flying I have never seen this before, that you need a transit visa to enter a country's airport. It is for this reason (that it is totally absurd and unobvious)
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You may feel it is totally absurd, however,
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisal
that Delta should be telling all passengers this as a matter of basic customer service! And furthermore, they should definitely tell someone what you need to transit the USA if they specifically ask what they will need. It is crucial. However, I would further point out that to obtain a USA transit visa is a lengthy process and takes over a month. The interview can last upto 2 hours of intense questioning and may result in not getting a visa if they think the potential passenger hasn't got enough proof behind their story. Not only this but also the cost involved; 15 dollars just to ring up for the interview, 131 dollars for the visa and 45 pesos for DHL to post it to you. A little overbudget for the average Argentinian. Not to mention it is the same cost as a holiday visa to the US. And you wonder why Delta do not see fit to tell all passengers that they will need a transit visa to travel? If you were the passenger, wouldn't you just go with an operator that went via Europe or Brazil and just put your 2 fingers up to Delta? Lying thieves.
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you're still putting all of the blame on the airline. Do this. Go to the mirror, and say to yourself, "I was at least partially to blame for this mess." Feel better now? Good. Now you can get on with your life.