RUSSandRACHEL

Hi Rachel & FrostyMist

With regard to the age thing - one of my dogs is 12 and I discussed this with my vet last week when both my dogs were getting their rabies shot. He said it's not about age at all, purely about the health of the animal. He said my 12 year old is fit as a butchers dog, strong as an ox, no heart problems etc and as he is such a chilled out dog, the flight would not cause any problems and he would pass the fitness to fly exam before flight. My other dog is 7 and there is more concern about him coping with the flight only because he has an an anxious disposition and recommended a new natural product called Zylikene which is highly effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress. It's not a sedative and therefore is allowed to be administered pre-flight.

The whole animal thing is the biggest stress for all of us. I'm actually thinking about finding out the price of chartering a private plane to do it. I am not joking! Anyone got any idea whether what ball park price we are talking? (if Paris Hilton or the likes of her on this site perhaps they can advise? lol!) If I can get one for £10k, I'm doing it and I'll take all yours on board for free. But it's more likely to be way more than that...but am gonna try and find out!

Hi again Christine! Thats great the vet advised that. I'm sure we will all be fine. I have to say I think I'm feeling quite stressed about the whole process... (my interview is next week!) particuarly the doggy part. Around christmas time Honey was ill and after my vet did some invesigative work they've told us that she has a mild epilepsy condition, only brought on by stress. She is a very anxious, sensitive dog and we were advised to try Zylikene too. I dont know if you have to take it for a month or so for it to work but we're going to try it. The vet also said you cannot overdose on it too as its natural, she didnt seem too keen on DAP which is another treatment for stress. But we're flying with Continental who I've heard are the best airline for travelling with animals. Russ even met an ex cabin crew recently who assured him to tell every single member of staff we meet that Honey is flying with us. Uuuuh I cant wait til this is all sorted. We're off to the vets tonight actually... Honeys blood test after the rabies shot was ineffective so she needs another...

And private jet?!!!!! Woooooow! Wish I had 10k floating around hehe

Good luck everyone! Keep us posted

Visa approved

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YAAAAY!

Good luck to the today and upcoming interviewees. We are thinking about you and wishing you the best.

Thanks guys getting litle butterflies already

And Frosty we're also still looking out for your review!

Hi Frosty Mist, congrats again on your successful interview! Mine is Monday uhhhhhh! Can't wait til this is all over. I didn't know you were planning on taking over your animals to the US? You may have seen on here already that everythings in full swing in taking my Honey (a labrador) over to the states, fingers crossed on 27th April... What breed of dog do you have?

Im sorry to hear about your doggy. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it is not recommended to transport a dog overseas over the age of 7. Im not sure if the airline will refuse them but see what your vet says. It may be too much for her...

I don't know about downloading forms off the internet either I'm afraid. We are going with pet shipping company, PBS Freight International, who have been fantastic. Maybe if your budget cant stretch that far (but in my opinion its WELL worth it!) then just email them for some advice. Have you already had a quotation from the airline on a price to fly anyway? Why dont you ask for a quotation from PBS to see if its much more?

We already have Honeys crate and it was included in the quotation from them. It also came with all of the live animal labels. We'll also be recieving her Pet Passport soon so that will be another thing sorted and all other documentation, PBS will send us nearer the time.

Good luck! It is incredibly stressful transporting animals but we seem to be getting there with the planning step by step. B)

If no one from the UK has AOSed in 2010, I guess so! I just started the interview thread since it was going to be an earlier event for me than AOS

I am just about to start a UK wedding planning thread, coz the Canadian one is a wicked interesting read and I figure lots of us will be using UK suppliers of various bits and pieces....

Yay!! Do it do it! It seems no one else is interested in wedding planning on VJ but we are and have been planning since we got engaged April 09!

Ohhhhhhhh CONGRATS Frosty!!! I'm so happy for you

I'm feeling quite stressed about my interview as the days tick by. Its so easy to tell people it'll be fine, but if you're the type of person to be easily stressed about stuff, nothing can help you feel calm.

But I look forward to reading your review! Hope you get your visa soon!

Thanks for the input about needing the UCS's passport. I did think we didnt need it as they've already had form of id we own. Thanks also to sweets85 with the suggestion of taking something to eat and drink. Im hoping I wont be there 5 hours though. Two weeks today for our interview... oooh Im really excited now. A lil nervous (cos Im going down to London, staying there alone and then going to the interview) but Russ is waking up early to share the good news with me once Im done. FrostyMist, I was in a right state about the medical (have no idea why) but I also didnt understand what I was worried about after. Im sure you'll be fine at the interview. Sending you lots of luck

My interview was on the 8th January 2010! I was approved!

Huuuuge CONGRATULATIONS to you both!

Hope you all get your visas and passports back very soon. Its probably just cos of the snow. I know Royal Mail made announcements about expected delays...

Thanks for keeping us informed about the briefcase Beatlesrebel! I think Im just gonna take a handbag and a shopper bag for my A4 folder. Mine also has the sections like someone suggested for finding things quickly. I'm a bit worried about getting in a tiz trying to find stuff.

Anyway, as I said before, many congratulations on your successful interview! I cant wait til were in the same position!

Can I just ask a silly question? Hope you dont mind... all this preparation plays tricks on your mind... You don't need the USC's proof of ID do you? I mean their passport of birth certificate. I don't even have a copy. Is that ok?

Andrew + Bethany, we have been together over christmas too but had to say goodbye last Sunday Congratulations on your interview date its the same as mine!

The wheels are all in motion for our interview. I've just booked my coach fare from Birmingham (£7 for a return ticket - bargain) and also booked my hotel (complimentary at The Churchill Hyatt in Marble Arch) as I work for the company. Whooo hoooo! I didnt know there would be availability but turns out there is - BRILLIANT! Shame my sweetheart wont be here with me

APPROVED!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!!

Please add one of those red flashy stars by our name :-)

Can't even begin to express how excited we are!! Thank you, everyone, for your help and support! Now if we can just get Craig home from London, with the flights being cancelled....

I'm sure Craig will login soon to post his embassy review...

JUST HEARD FROM PHILL!!!! We are APPROVED! Please add a red twinkling star by our name!! I'm shaking I'm so excited!

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!! I bet you're soooo happy!!!

Although my step-father will be coming with me to the interview, my fiance will have to remain in the US. I know he really wants to be here, it just wasn't practical due to costs and customs already having issues with how much time he's spent in England. Him being here to help me prepare to leave for the US is actually more of a priority than him accompanying me to the interview.

Hmm me too. Just wish I had it both ways. My interview will be at 8am, so thats 3am for my Rusty! Hes happy to wake up though so we can congratulate each other on the new though! Lol!

I'm wondering about this too... Does anyone else have any ideas about bag size? What are you supposed to do with your A4 size documents etc...?

Are you allowed a carrier bag, at least, with an A4 folder in then?

Who are you using to transport her or are you doing it yourself. I wanted to bring my cat but the prices I've been quoted are ridiculous........

Hi there, we are using PBS Freight International. Their website is www.shipyourpet.com. They've been amazing so far! I had a bad experience with Pet Air UK so would urge anyone to stay away from them. It is expensive wherever you go but I cant recommend going with a pet shipping company enough. There are so many rules and regulations, its definitely best to be in someone elses experienced hands rather than go it alone. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I got packet 4 this morning and our interview date has been set for January 25th at 8.30am in London!!! Yaaaaaay!!! Im sooooo excited! We're nearly together forever! Ahhhh!

Hi everyone! We have finally got our interview date: January 25th at 8.30am! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Im so excited! We're nearly there!

Hi everyone! We have finally got our interview date: January 25th at 8.30am! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Im so excited! We're nearly there!

Yes I agree with doghandler! No dialling numbers, just UK address needed.

I am not 100% sure on this, but from what I have gathered on here on VJ along with the affadavit of support, you are only required to provide 2 forms of additional proof from this list:

most recent tax return/tax transcript

Employers Letter

PaySlips

Bank Statement

I have all of those except the bank statement as that is not applicable to us. I also am only taking Russ' most recent tax return. In the case of your fiance being self employed I think you may need more than just one return though.

I have never heard of having of give an additional letter to show your fiance is willing to support you - I think thats what the actual Affadavit of Support is for.

If Im wrong, anyone can feel free to correct me

Then how about asking for a raise?

I agree. If anyone feels they do not deserve the wage you are being given, don't accept it then. There are so many service staff, waiters etc available... if there were none willing to do the job, the government would have to do something about the wage structure. But nothing will happen because so many people are willing to accept the low wages. Its not a persons right to a tip. Its a gift. And I'm in service too. But Im not accepting $2 an hour wages when I get to the US. Thats ridiculous!

I've come across this too. We're planning to leave April 27th, together with our labrador, pending the interview. We are planning to do just the same thing. I couldnt care less about the return portion of the ticket. My fiance travels a lot on business and often as a standby passenger, he would always be extremely grateful to be 'saved' at the last minute. Also imagine that extra person whos supposed to be sitting next to you onboard. Dont you just love it when you're in that position and get all that extra room for 8 hours mmm bliss!

Very interesting. I am the UK citizen, my fiance is the US Citizen and we have very different views about this. I understand it is American culture to tip generously, but I am British and whilst I always reward people for excellent service in the UK, it is not a guaranteed extra, paid out every single time.

I work in customer service - I am a massage therapist at a high end hotel and the amount of tips we get are very low. I certainly dont expect a tip for every treatment or massage I do. I would say in my job in the UK, less than 10% of people tip us. In the US though, I believe its very different. Ive seen envelopes automatically being given to customers after a massage for the client to reward their therapist with a tip of 20%. No questions asked. I realise my opinions on this will have to soften a little once I permanantly move out there, but I dont think I will ever change my view entirely and tip everyone in sight like h2b does. To me a tip, regardless of wage is a reward for exceptional service only.

I hear the reason why service staff in the US rely so heavily on tips is because of the extremely low minimum wage that these people are paid. Well, in that case isnt it the governments responsibilty to ensure that these people are given a fair wage at least for their services, like the government has done in the UK?

Anyway back to the initial question,

in the US my fiance would probably pay 10-15% for a meal out somewhere,

we would give a couple of dollars for food delivery

and probably 10% for taxi fare.

I think for hair dressers etc, probably 10-15% is the norm.

I agree, unlike the UK, in the US I believe you can get married anywhere and at any time as long as you have a valid marriage licence for the state that you are marrying in and you have a licensed registrar, judge or officiant performing the ceremony.

We're getting married in a beach front gazebo in a public park. Good luck!

This is completely off of your topic, but how did your sweetheart find the trip back from the U.K.? I was stuck on the tarmac inside of the plane for over 2 hours because of the additional security procedures - this was after getting to the airport 3 hours early - utter hell!!

Hi Christi & Ian. Russ was ok. He flew from Birmingham and checked in online but arrived at the airport 2 and a half hours before. We were advised to arrive earlier but were reluctant to leave each other any earlier than we had to Turns out, every single person boarding, had their belongings completely emptied out of their bags and were searched at the gate. Security line though, was completely empty, he says. In the end they took off 30 mins late but more than made up for it on arrival. Where did you fly from?

I'm missing him like mad, but it was the last time saying goodbye, which is something good

We didn't get our date till Dec 7th along with several others. Claire called the extortion line before I woke up and they said no date set, then I called DOS just after noon my time and I was told we did have a date set.

Based on the trends over the past few months I'm guessing people will have good news this week or early next.

Oh ok, Dec 7th is nearly a month ago. We've been told by fellow VJ-ers that they issue dates once per month, so maybe its coming soon. Russ did call DOS this morning. The lady told us absolutely nothing we didnt already know. She didnt even seem to know what he was talking about hmm... I refuse to call the extortion line. They've had enough of our money. Guess we'll just sit tight a little while longer... I just really wanna book my coach tickets and hotel room

I went alone, the week after my fiance went back to the US.

I wasn't really nervous until the night before... then I was re-checking all of the forms, freaking out over minor details and couldn't think of anything else! I left for London at 4am or something, and was feeling sick the entire way - especially when the bus stopped at Heathrow on the way there, and I was remembering all of those horrible feelings from the week before.

I'll tell you what, though... you're going to be fine. There is a feeling of anticipation when you're in the waiting room (I waited 5 hours) but once you're up there and talking to the interviewer and handing over forms, you'll be fine. Just remember that it's just a quick chat that asks the same questions that everyone asks when they find out about your American fiance! And also that the chances of denial are extremely low - that helped me. The interview was painless and he only asked about three questions.

I skipped out of there with my massive X-Ray in my hand, bumping into everyone with it, texting everyone to let them know. And guess what? When the bus stopped at Heathrow on the way back, I felt so happy!

Thank you so much Gemmie. I have to say I felt so emotional when I read your last line. Its so true! I cant wait for us to be together!

The issue of denial doesnt bother me. I think its more the anticipation. If I have to wait 5 hours I'm gonna be in a right state by the time I step up to meet the consular officer. I have visions of me collapsing on the floor in a sea of papers lol! I know it'll be ok really, but I was like this with my medical and Russ was with me then. Unless you have been through this process, no-one can truly understand.

Thanks for the support everyone!

Sorry that looks really crappy, but it wouldnt let me edit it. If anyone else can do a nice fancy colourful table or something, feel free...