Intial travel to US from Phils

[chris and lorie 0]

i fly by myself too and there was no problem, my hubby met me at my poe.And guess what that was my first flight, i just acted like i now what im doing ,just read the signs and follow what others do ( just dont be obvious ).I suggested that choose PAL,coz it's direct flight and she'll meet lots of filipinos.I became friend with my seatmate and he even attended our wedding.Just assure her that u will wait for her at her poe and u will be the first person that she will see there..goodluck on her flight,she can do it.Filipinas are tough

[baxxy 0]

Ok me and the little lady are having this on going thing about the trip here. Now I have flown to the phils 3 times to see her (the love of my life who I care for deeply and better not be embarrassed by me posting this). She is a little afraid of the flight, even though she has flown in a plane before but I think Manila to Cebu isnt quite the experience one might need for the trip! Anyway she wants me to fly all the way there again to fly with her back. Now I know this would be a nice thing to do and believe me if I had a money tree I would go outside and shake it and be on the first flight there! But well anyway I was just wondering is the flight to the US really that bad for filipinas I mean I have arrived in to Detroit Minneapolis and New York before from there and it really didnt seem to be that bad, same annoying lines and people moving slow either way. Its not a language issue because my fiancees english is amazing!!!! (she makes me say that) She is just more intimidated by the whole thing. My advice to her was just find some other ladies holding the St Lukes X-rays and make friends. Is that good advice really?

Thats good advice in my opinion. Shes arriving in the US and she cant have you by her side everywhere she goes when she gets here, she needs to get used to doing stuff alone. It's time to grow up, its just a flight, and annoying lines and slow people are to be found in every airport in the world. I say let her do it alone, you dont want her too spoiled before she gets here anyway.

[vichygurl 1]

Heres my part..

I travel alone too. He wanted to went back to the Philippines but it was me who decided not to since I wanted to experienced alone in a long trip if I can really make it through. Thanks God I did it! Somehow I have to admit it was really really hard coz dang I had A LOT of hand carry things with 2 bags coz I was supposed to check it in but unfortunately only 2 luggages are allowed. (by this, I suggest you to tell her not to bring A LOT of hand carry things aside if its very important).

I had Narita Japan stop over going to Washington DC as my POE then I need to take the last plane going to Philadelphia and its there where my fiance (tomorrow husband) was waiting for me. I swear next time I went back to PI I will not bring anything hand carry.

It was tiring yet fun experienced and I finally told myself I made it... ALONE! His supposed fare was spent for some more important things.

So, I am saying if she wants excitement,fun and tiring trip alone it will be worth the experienced. Likewise, if she like to have more comforting and loving trip with you then thats her choice.

I made the right choice and it will really be an experienced worth reminiscing.

vida

Edited July 24, 2008 by djazy66

[sitkan 0]

I think making my fiancee comfortable with the Whole process would be a good thing, especialy if it is a route that you have taken before. I am sharing a very detailed accounting of what to expect every step of the way. I am also encouraging her to ask flight attendants and airline employees questions if even one little detail is not clear.

Try to remember all the lines you were in. Did they require forms? Did they x-ray your bags? stuff like that will make her feel more at ease.

Remeber if there is a plane layover for a period of more than 6 hours, lots of airlines will offer you anything from a free meal voucher to a hotel room so stop and ask about the little things.

If you are laying over in Taiwan, then knowing that all the cyber cafes are free use will be a great boost for her. I bet she will be online buzzing you and telling you about her great adventure. Make sure she knows that there are ways to communicate with you all along the way.

Another good thing is to make sure she has Xtra $$$. There are so many things that can happen, overweight baggage, terminal fees, that extra cab ride no one was planning on, food, the gift she saw for you at the duty free store.

[envy_me 18]

Ok me and the little lady are having this on going thing about the trip here. Now I have flown to the phils 3 times to see her (the love of my life who I care for deeply and better not be embarrassed by me posting this). She is a little afraid of the flight, even though she has flown in a plane before but I think Manila to Cebu isnt quite the experience one might need for the trip! Anyway she wants me to fly all the way there again to fly with her back. Now I know this would be a nice thing to do and believe me if I had a money tree I would go outside and shake it and be on the first flight there! But well anyway I was just wondering is the flight to the US really that bad for filipinas I mean I have arrived in to Detroit Minneapolis and New York before from there and it really didnt seem to be that bad, same annoying lines and people moving slow either way. Its not a language issue because my fiancees english is amazing!!!! (she makes me say that) She is just more intimidated by the whole thing. My advice to her was just find some other ladies holding the St Lukes X-rays and make friends. Is that good advice really?

it is indeed a good advice..

but i must tell you she gotta use to bein independent with some stuff..

like me i travelled alone and it makes me realized and leaned so many things..

like it makes me realized more the difference of our culture and the american culture..

also.. im still learning and battlin with homesickness..

with homesickness.. that's connected to bein independent.. in my opinion..

cos now i battle with homesickness.. like tryin to deal with things on my own with no help from my family..

not like back at home that you can easily run into your family then ask or get help..

i know that my SO will always be there for me, like you're gonna be there for her..

but then there are things that are really different from our culture..

and the first thing i learned is you gotta learn to deal with your stuff on your own..

so what im tryin to say is.. it's really different here in the US compared to back at home..

and i think it is best for her to experience it first on her own flight..

and also practically, it's big amount of money to travel to back to the philippines just to accompany her for her flight.. just in my opinion!

i mean u can spend that money and have a very good time with her when she's already there with you..

i hope i dint confuse u guys..

[JeffMayeth 0]

well, the VJ site is great for finding others in the same or similar schedule. the tough part about you returning to fly with her is the VISA process is not an exact science, you time it wrong, and you too could still not fly together.

My fiance kept up with folks as they went to the embassy together, and if it had been a day or two closer, could have flown with one of them.

If she can do that, then the easiet thing is for her to fly with another VJer to the US, and if not the same final destination, the same port of entry. you can get there easy.

the 18 to 20 hour flight is overwhelming to anyone so i am sympathetic to her, but a boat takes three weeks. ;-)

Jeff and MAyeth.

[island_princess 2]

Just tell her to be very observant. Read and pay attention to the PA system for any directions. If she gets confuse, just ask any employee at the airport.They are all over the place.

For me, the most confusing part is - the location of each terminal. Man, I (along with my kid) almost missed our last leg of the flight.

Edited August 9, 2008 by island_princess

[chuckb 0]

I think putting the money issue aside, you have to look at the other aspect of this. Her family is now part of you. For me this is one of those moments in life I want to be by herside for. She is leaving and it is going to be a big adjustment for her. I just feel being besides her in that time is a moment that I could never pass up. A family bond is important and showing that to her family is important as well. Just my thoughts.

I couldn't have said that better myself...

Money seems to be an issue, but I'm sure that the family will eventually need some too. It's hard to be scrapping for money, make a large payment to the airlines, and help the family. Maybe helping the family a little now might show the importance of flying alone to save money? Sounds mercenary doesn't it? I don't mean it that way, most Filipino families really do need money, not just want it.

Filipino's travel all over the world for jobs. Why is the flight to the US so intimidating? I will never understand this...

In fairness, I can't really speak to this because I spent two and a half months in the Philippines going through the Medical, Interview, Visa, and Filipino stuff before we all flew here together. My wife and kids wouldn't be here if I hadn't, or maybe I just didn't push the issue hard enough. For me, it was worth it to make her happy, though I really couldn't afford it.

Now, she wants to do it all again for the oldest child. Ouch!

My wife is also very independant now that she understands the US and most of it's ways. Some posters in this thread say a Filipina has to learn to be independant, and now is the time. I'm not sure I can agree with the timing, but certainly the independence. This is a very difficult time for both her and the family. If money is short, it's unlikely she will be returning home to her family anytime soon. That's hard to accept along with going to a place that doesn't have family as she knows family. Maybe I'm biased, but the Filipino family is much more integrated (close) than the US family.

Then again, perhaps if she flies alone, she can return to visit her family sooner? She will know what to expect, and can fly alone again if money is an issue. Just a thought...

Obviously, I think that my wife should have flown here without me, americans fly alone all the time. Understanding the underlying issues makes the decision a little more difficult. The Filipino culture just ain't the same.

[Completely 3]

Ok me and the little lady are having this on going thing about the trip here. Now I have flown to the phils 3 times to see her (the love of my life who I care for deeply and better not be embarrassed by me posting this). She is a little afraid of the flight, even though she has flown in a plane before but I think Manila to Cebu isnt quite the experience one might need for the trip! Anyway she wants me to fly all the way there again to fly with her back. Now I know this would be a nice thing to do and believe me if I had a money tree I would go outside and shake it and be on the first flight there! But well anyway I was just wondering is the flight to the US really that bad for filipinas I mean I have arrived in to Detroit Minneapolis and New York before from there and it really didnt seem to be that bad, same annoying lines and people moving slow either way. Its not a language issue because my fiancees english is amazing!!!! (she makes me say that) She is just more intimidated by the whole thing. My advice to her was just find some other ladies holding the St Lukes X-rays and make friends. Is that good advice really?

You know you can bring Filipinos anywhere in the world and they will be able to find their way to reach their destination.. Personally I dont think it is being practical to fly back to the Philippines as it is a 1000 bucks for that.. Since you will be joined together in a short period of time, why not just wait for her in the first port of entry in the US.

There is nothing more scary than flying to other countries that does not have english translation or english speaking people in the airport.. Your wife need to know how to stand in her own, before you will get irritated as you may find her very dependent on you.. And like what you said, she speak good english..and she will find a lot of filipino flying to the USA.

I left my country when I was 20 going to the Middle East with no body as in NO BODY, it scare a lot of things inside of me.. People has all their face covered, the guys has mustached and wearing white shirt like a priest.. But you know if made me a better person. a stronger person than ever..

[ChrisB0707 4]

Ok me and the little lady are having this on going thing about the trip here. Now I have flown to the phils 3 times to see her (the love of my life who I care for deeply and better not be embarrassed by me posting this). She is a little afraid of the flight, even though she has flown in a plane before but I think Manila to Cebu isnt quite the experience one might need for the trip! Anyway she wants me to fly all the way there again to fly with her back. Now I know this would be a nice thing to do and believe me if I had a money tree I would go outside and shake it and be on the first flight there! But well anyway I was just wondering is the flight to the US really that bad for filipinas I mean I have arrived in to Detroit Minneapolis and New York before from there and it really didnt seem to be that bad, same annoying lines and people moving slow either way. Its not a language issue because my fiancees english is amazing!!!! (she makes me say that) She is just more intimidated by the whole thing. My advice to her was just find some other ladies holding the St Lukes X-rays and make friends. Is that good advice really?

I went to see ShaSha 3 times last year so I know how you feel. When her visa was approved I had just been there 2 months before so I didnt go again to fly back with her. I did go to LA to be with her when she arrived in the United States and we stayed in California for 3 days to vist Disneyland with the money saved from me not having to pay for another ticket. Ask her if she would like to see Disneyland, it worked for me.

[DARUMA07 25]

Ok me and the little lady are having this on going thing about the trip here. Now I have flown to the phils 3 times to see her (the love of my life who I care for deeply and better not be embarrassed by me posting this). She is a little afraid of the flight, even though she has flown in a plane before but I think Manila to Cebu isnt quite the experience one might need for the trip! Anyway she wants me to fly all the way there again to fly with her back. Now I know this would be a nice thing to do and believe me if I had a money tree I would go outside and shake it and be on the first flight there! But well anyway I was just wondering is the flight to the US really that bad for filipinas I mean I have arrived in to Detroit Minneapolis and New York before from there and it really didnt seem to be that bad, same annoying lines and people moving slow either way. Its not a language issue because my fiancees english is amazing!!!! (she makes me say that) She is just more intimidated by the whole thing. My advice to her was just find some other ladies holding the St Lukes X-rays and make friends. Is that good advice really?

I went to see ShaSha 3 times last year so I know how you feel. When her visa was approved I had just been there 2 months before so I didnt go again to fly back with her. I did go to LA to be with her when she arrived in the United States and we stayed in California for 3 days to vist Disneyland with the money saved from me not having to pay for another ticket. Ask her if she would like to see Disneyland, it worked for me.

Thanks for the laugh!

[baxxy 0]

I think putting the money issue aside, you have to look at the other aspect of this. Her family is now part of you. For me this is one of those moments in life I want to be by herside for. She is leaving and it is going to be a big adjustment for her. I just feel being besides her in that time is a moment that I could never pass up. A family bond is important and showing that to her family is important as well. Just my thoughts.

I couldn't have said that better myself...

Money seems to be an issue, but I'm sure that the family will eventually need some too. It's hard to be scrapping for money, make a large payment to the airlines, and help the family. Maybe helping the family a little now might show the importance of flying alone to save money? Sounds mercenary doesn't it? I don't mean it that way, most Filipino families really do need money, not just want it.

What exactly are you saying? You're telling him to give money to her family? For what exactly? how is he saving money if he gives what he would be spending on a ticket to her family? thats a retarded thing to say. It makes a lot more sense for him to take her on a mini vacation like chrisB0707 suggested, its his money he should be enjoying it, not her family. Your statement is completely ridiculous. It's not HIS responsibility to take care of her family.