February/March CR-1 / IR-1 Interview Discussion Thread

[sdw 10]

I called this morning and got a call back already. Was given a few dates based on my interview date.

[sdhiman 0]

I have a question re security screening at the consulate. My interview is not until feb 24th but in preparation process, I was thinking about car keys and cell phones. I know they are not allowed in the consulate. Do you just leave them at the hotel? I somehow dont feel safe leaving them at the hotel. Can you bring them with you and deposit them at the consulate and get them back when you are done?

I remember reading in a review about this but cant seem to find it. Does anyone know?

[Bern. 3]

Booked my medical date today! It's March 22

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I have a question re security screening at the consulate. My interview is not until feb 24th but in preparation process, I was thinking about car keys and cell phones. I know they are not allowed in the consulate. Do you just leave them at the hotel? I somehow dont feel safe leaving them at the hotel. Can you bring them with you and deposit them at the consulate and get them back when you are done?

It's a good question I'd like to hear the answer to as well.

I'm mainly concerned about check-out times for people staying in local hotels.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Wyatt's Torch

[Malrothien 6]

Most hotels have a safe behind the front desk, as well as a luggage holding area for guests.

[trailmix 77]

Most hotels have a safe behind the front desk, as well as a luggage holding area for guests.

My Husband wasn't sure what time he would get back to the hotel, so he did the checkout and they were happy to hold his luggage for him.

[Bern. 3]

Just booked my flight!! I'm going to go down to Toronto for the weekend too, I've never really been to central canada. :3

[Sam and Ben 2]

If, for whatever reason, you come across a hotel that won't hold your luggage for you, I believe there are some businesses in the area, like some of the pharmacies, that are willing to hold onto items for safekeeping for a small fee.

Not a great option, but an option nonetheless.

[La Souris 19]

Laugh at me now... but, on which document is it written that we need to buy an ExpressPost envelope? I want to get one, that is not the problem, I'm just worried I am missing something else.

I got my Appointment Letter, the Medical Examination document and the Consulate Interview Guidelines ~ and now, I'm wondering if there's another document I should read...

Or maybe it's just common knowledge on VJ?

// other than that, I'm going to see my husband this weekend and everything is in order (they never asked to see anything more than my passport, or the content of my bags though!) - I think it will be my last trip before my move

Edited January 27, 2010 by La Souris

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Laugh at me now... but, on which document is it written that we need to buy an ExpressPost envelope? I want to get one, that is not the problem, I'm just worried I am missing something else.

I got my Appointment Letter, the Medical Examination document and the Consulate Interview Guidelines ~ and now, I'm wondering if there's another document I should read...

Or maybe it's just common knowledge on VJ?

// other than that, I'm going to see my husband this weekend and everything is in order (they never asked to see anything more than my passport, or the content of my bags though!) - I think it will be my last trip before my move

It's NOT on any document. It's just common knowledge on VJ.

Yay us.

Glad you'll be seeing your hubby this weekend. I'm still kicking myself for canceling my ticket for a trip to D.C. this weekend.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Wyatt's Torch

[La Souris 19]

It's NOT on any document. It's just common knowledge on VJ.

Yay us.

Ok, so it's only a trick to recognize each other in line so early in the morning

Where you able to get your money back? ~ we're lucky, it's a nice 6-hour drive. I've never seen tickets to fly under $400-450, which makes no sense (and you don't save that much time since the airport is on the other side of town in both places + security checks...).

Edited January 27, 2010 by La Souris

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Ok, so it's only a trick to recognize each other in line so early in the morning

Where you able to get your money back? ~ we're lucky, it's a nice 6-hour drive. I've never seen tickets to fly under $400-450, which makes no sense (and you don't save that much time since the airport is on the other side of town in both places + security checks...).

Nope...wasn't able to get my money back. I tried again, later in the day, but to no avail. I technically have a $220 travel voucher, but the problem is that if I ever try to use it, I'll be dinged with a $150 "change fee". So ultimately it's a $220 loss without ANY benefit for me. Big mistake for me to go through with canceling my ticket...but I was just so muddled with all of the post-interview-date stuff that I verbally okayed it. Ugh.

[lgg 2]

Well, they had an area where they would take things not allowed and and then give you a ticket to reclaim it afterward. So you could, but I think it was for stuff that people forgot to leave behind not as a storage facility. He gave us a claim ticket for the 3 timbits we had left...

Our hotel, Le Square Philippe had a storage safe AND the stored our stuff for us when we checked out today. They were great and most hotels have storage facilities for you...

There are signs everywhere at the consulate stating what you CAN NOT bring in with you so...

I have a question re security screening at the consulate. My interview is not until feb 24th but in preparation process, I was thinking about car keys and cell phones. I know they are not allowed in the consulate. Do you just leave them at the hotel? I somehow dont feel safe leaving them at the hotel. Can you bring them with you and deposit them at the consulate and get them back when you are done?

I remember reading in a review about this but cant seem to find it. Does anyone know?

Edited January 27, 2010 by lgg

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Just FYI -- I got a PM from Ali (a.k.a. Dan and Ali), and she mentioned that even though she got to Woking at 6:15 this morning, she wound up being number 17! So in other words, get there REALLY early.

I plan on being there before 6:00 tomorrow morning, and I'll give you all an update once I'm home.

[Kimbear 53]

Just FYI -- I got a PM from Ali (a.k.a. Dan and Ali), and she mentioned that even though she got to Woking at 6:15 this morning, she wound up being number 17! So in other words, get there REALLY early.

I plan on being there before 6:00 tomorrow morning, and I'll give you all an update once I'm home.

YIKES! atm it's -16 in windsor not sure about Montreal...but damn..that early and that number? Sheesh.