one final interview dilema

[jaygregory 1]

okay heres the deal,my interview is next friday at 8am.

now iv been told to get in to the line for it all by everyone on here an hour before the interview....so 7am.

samll problem here, il be coming up on the coach from Bournemouth that morning, and i will have a backpack with my papers and wallet,ect...

its not anything major,just a normal backpack like u see any one wearing.

now i know you arent allowed a list of things as long as your arm in the embassy......does that include a backpack that im happy to be searched and will just have my folder of papers,wallet and a book in?

and if thats not allowed,does anyone have an idea of what i can do with it?the left luggage at the coach station opens at 7...and the pharmacy place opens at 7 30 or something like that im told,both to late.

please help, its been to long a journey to mess it up over a backpack

[rallybug 17]

Gould's Pharmacy near the embassy on North Audley Street has secure storage, I think

[iampatricias 17]

I heard of a member about a month ago, who was allowed in with one of those reusable plastic grocery bags which held her large I129f package and evidence, maybe because it didn't zip shut?

[rallybug 17]

Gould's Pharmacy near the embassy on North Audley Street has secure storage, I think

From the embassy website - left luggage locations

If you're not bringing anything electronic like a phone or mp3 player, then use a smaller bag (carrier or similar?) and you won't need to store anything, according to the website

All the Excess Baggage places at the stations appear to be 7am though

Edited March 17, 2011 by rallybug

[JoannaV 174]

A normal sized backpack would seem fine.

8am is pretty early, I don't think there should be a huge line when you arrive. If you happen to get to the security check and they tell you NO, whether because they don't like the backpack or you accidentally have something electrical (like...a flash drive) then you can run to the pharmacy at that point and generally they let you back in the front of the line :-) But I think a small backpack would be fine.

[tomae 1]

I don't think the embassy doors open until 7.30, and the counters don't open until 8. I think you'd be fine to turn up at 7.30. Also bear in mind that your interview is more of a guide - your interview is actually when they get around to calling your number.

[jaygregory 1]

its a laptop that fits a wide screen laptop,so i dont wanna take a chance on that being considered a 'small' laptop. i think im gonna just wait at the pharmacy around the corner and then run back to the embassy as soon as i get my backpack put away. thanks for all the help with this

[scotchland5206 5]

its a laptop that fits a wide screen laptop,so i dont wanna take a chance on that being considered a 'small' laptop. i think im gonna just wait at the pharmacy around the corner and then run back to the embassy as soon as i get my backpack put away. thanks for all the help with this

When I was at the embassy on Thurs, the guy in front of me in line for security had a smallish backpack, no one batted an eyelid. As long as you have no electronics (that includes any cables, headphones as well) and don't have a backpack that looks so big you could take it on a mountain expedition (!) I'm sure you'll be fine :-)

Be prepared to get v bored! I was in there for 3 and a half hours...Took a trashy magazine with me, but was so worried about missing my ticket number that I didn't even look at it. LOL

[* Kristin * 49]

Three and a half hours? Whew! I thought my fiance's time there from 7:00 - 9:30 was long ;-)

When I was at the embassy on Thurs, the guy in front of me in line for security had a smallish backpack, no one batted an eyelid. As long as you have no electronics (that includes any cables, headphones as well) and don't have a backpack that looks so big you could take it on a mountain expedition (!) I'm sure you'll be fine :-)

Be prepared to get v bored! I was in there for 3 and a half hours...Took a trashy magazine with me, but was so worried about missing my ticket number that I didn't even look at it. LOL

[scotchland5206 5]

Three and a half hours? Whew! I thought my fiance's time there from 7:00 - 9:30 was long ;-)

Hey Kristin, congratulations!

To be honest it felt like time stood still when I was in the embassy LOL!

My appointment was til 10am but I got there pretty early, to allow for possible long queue/being seen early. But that didn't happen!

Anyhow my passport is scheduled to arrive tomorrow

[* Kristin * 49]

I can only imagine! It reminds me of a queue for like Disneyland or something.. wait wait wait.. and then YAY! It's your turn! The 'ride' is like getting approved and getting your passport back ;-)

Congrats xx

Hey Kristin, congratulations!

To be honest it felt like time stood still when I was in the embassy LOL!

My appointment was til 10am but I got there pretty early, to allow for possible long queue/being seen early. But that didn't happen!

Anyhow my passport is scheduled to arrive tomorrow