The 6:30am BNE-SYD is gone and I am not on it [No ESTA]

[samh004]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Nothing I say hasn't been said already.

Mistakes happen to the most frequent of flyers, but it certainly does seem that in this case, you received your ESTA 10 minutes too late (from what I have read). A costly mistake that I'm sure you wont be making again

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

It's amazing how hindsight is always associated with 20/20 vision

Anyway JohnK, what sort of ale will you be drinking?.

 

[JohnK]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Don't know about VA but QF could only verify if a pax had a valid ESTA ahead of time eg the day prior if the pax had added their passport info and address they'll be staying at in the USA into the booking. If these mandatory fields were completed it would be possible to check once the names appear in the Altea checkin system at approx T-80.

A lot of the time pax do not provide all the info so the ESTA check couldn't be completed until pax arrived at the airport and handed over their passports to be swiped at which time an electronic message is generated to DHS to verify if a valid ESTA exists against that passport number. If there is, then a response appears in the pax's checkin record that states "valid ESTA application on file - OK to board" and only then will boarding passes print out.

I'm not aware of any instances where pax have been charged by QF to moved to a later BNE/SYD flight while their ESTA is obtained. If pax is travelling with baggage and other travel companions then the bags can be checked in against the other people in the meantime to the US. If the ESTA is done in time in BNE then the pax can be checked in for the subsequent SYD/LAX flight before they leave BNE.

As a last resort they could be checked in at SYD but that would only be if there wasn't sufficient time to complete the ESTA application prior to the departure of the BNE/SYD flight.

Are you saying this is what you would have done or is this something that Qantas check-in staff would do in general? It sounded feasible to me to allow me to get to SYD on the 6:30am flight and if worse comes to worse I could have gone home to mum and dad and got an award flight back to BNE.

As it was the ESTA was approved a few minutes after boarding started for the flight and the flight appeared to be light loaded and off they went early without me.

The more I read the more I think the VA check-in staff did very little for me this morning. But I come to expect this of Virgin. This is not the first time. My expectations high? I don't think so because I think Qantas check-in staff would have done a little more?

 

[nlagalle]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

What an excellent idea and greatly appreciated. That's all the check-in agent had to do this morning and I could have boarded flight to SYD and arrived at SYD domestic ~90 minutes before international departure.

They may not have been able to do that. you don't know.

Instead they chose the cowards way and not assisted in any way shape or form other than to tell me I needed ESTA. Yes thanks Virgin. Well played by the book. You'll get a few supporters this way.

Cowards way? JohnK i find it hard to sympathise with you with comments like that. At the end of the day, yes this is 100% your fault. no Virgins, not anyone else's. Could the check in person have been able to help you in the ways suggested here? We don't know. He/She may not have been able to override the booking system. No one here knows how it works exactly. Saying they could have done more might simply be a moot point. Saying the took the "cowards way" is laughable. I know someone else who was denied boarding in MEL for the exact same reason. no ESTA and it wasn't processed in time.

 

[penegal]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

I have never been asked to show one, and US regulations don't require you to carry a copy.

Regulations aside, I highly recommend that you do carry a print out of your ESTA (and all air tickets). It's a few sheets of paper in a plastic pocket, but you will thank me the one time you need it. I've had numerous experiences flying to the US out of many Central and South American ports where I've been challenged on eligibility.

This is especially relevant during times of heightened alert (for whatever reason).

On one occasion I was told that I couldn't board the aircraft without proving my eligibility to enter the US. Thankfully I had a print out of my ESTA. Whether this is right or wrong, I don't think you want to get into an argument about it when the flight is boarding or on final call. Take the print outs.

 

[opusman]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Sorry not you. A post further up. The one I quoted and you responded. Probably tongue in cheek but considering all the personal attacks today I am a little jumpy.

Yes it was tongue in cheek, but I forgot how touchy you can be.

The (tongue in cheek) relevance is that, by any estimation, $266 is a low cost for such a flight. Therefore, one should not complain when VA act like a low cost airline...

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Regulations aside, I highly recommend that you do carry a print out of your ESTA (and all air tickets). It's a few sheets of paper in a plastic pocket, but you will thank me the one time you need it. I've had numerous experiences flying to the US out of many Central and South American ports where I've been challenged on eligibility.

This is especially relevant during times of heightened alert (for whatever reason).

On one occasion I was told that I couldn't board the aircraft without proving my eligibility to enter the US. Thankfully I had a print out of my ESTA. Whether this is right or wrong, I don't think you want to get into an argument about it when the flight is boarding or on final call. Take the print outs.

My experience reflects this, too.
Well worth the effort of printing and carrying the copies. The print outs have saved the day for us on more than one occasion, especially when somewhere a little off the beaten track.

 

[JohnK]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Yes it was tongue in cheek, but I forgot how touchy you can be.

The (tongue in cheek) relevance is that, by any estimation, $266 is a low cost for such a flight. Therefore, one should not complain when VA act like a low cost airline...

Point taken. It wasn't just you. It's the personal attacks. And attacks on another forum where I do not get a chance to respond.

 

[kpc]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Regulations aside, I highly recommend that you do carry a print out of your ESTA (and all air tickets). It's a few sheets of paper in a plastic pocket, but you will thank me the one time you need it. I've had numerous experiences flying to the US out of many Central and South American ports where I've been challenged on eligibility.

This is especially relevant during times of heightened alert (for whatever reason).

On one occasion I was told that I couldn't board the aircraft without proving my eligibility to enter the US. Thankfully I had a print out of my ESTA. Whether this is right or wrong, I don't think you want to get into an argument about it when the flight is boarding or on final call. Take the print outs.

My experience reflects this, too.
Well worth the effort of printing and carrying the copies. The print outs have saved the day for us on more than one occasion, especially when somewhere a little off the beaten track.

Flying Copa Hav-Pty-Sju, i was asked to provide a copy of my ESTA as the computer system at checkin could not find it...1/2 hour later, to my relieve, I had my Hav-Pty and Pty-Sju BPs . JohnK...chin up, ignore all the knockers, we all make travel mistakes no matter how experienced we think we are!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Regulations aside, I highly recommend that you do carry a print out of your ESTA (and all air tickets). It's a few sheets of paper in a plastic pocket, but you will thank me the one time you need it. I've had numerous experiences flying to the US out of many Central and South American ports where I've been challenged on eligibility.

This is especially relevant during times of heightened alert (for whatever reason).

On one occasion I was told that I couldn't board the aircraft without proving my eligibility to enter the US. Thankfully I had a print out of my ESTA. Whether this is right or wrong, I don't think you want to get into an argument about it when the flight is boarding or on final call. Take the print outs.

We also never travel without a copy of everything ! A type people need the reassurance of having everything at hand. Gee I even take the yellow vaccination record book - you never know when an outbreak of yellow fever will pop up !

 

[blackcat20]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

We also never travel without a copy of everything ! A type people need the reassurance of having everything at hand. Gee I even take the yellow vaccination record book - you never know when an outbreak of yellow fever will pop up !

I similarly take copies of everything...Virgo tendencies or something like that.

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

We also never travel without a copy of everything ! A type people need the reassurance of having everything at hand. Gee I even take the yellow vaccination record book - you never know when an outbreak of yellow fever will pop up !

So it's not just me!

 

[SuzieQ68]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Point taken. It wasn't just you. It's the personal attacks. And attacks on another forum where I do not get a chance to respond.

This is the disappointing part of AFF I think. I really love this forum and it has helped me so much, but I must admit there are times I'm nervous about posting something for fear of being shredded by fellow AFF's. Everyone has an experience to share and it's these experiences that help us all to learn. I'll be honest, JohnK's comment about the VA LCC mentality and the way they handled it did irk me a little,but it was his experience and he felt let down, so it's not up to me to pass judgement as I wasn't there. Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, I appreciate him posting about the experience - it's something that I have noted for when I make my first USA jaunt. Thanks JohnK, I'll never forget the ESTA now.

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

I similarly take copies of everything...Virgo tendencies or something like that.

Could be the explanation. Virgo/Leo mix.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

I similarly take copies of everything...Virgo tendencies or something like that.

And I thought I was the only Virgo who did that - my partner is always like 'do you really need all that cr*p'....lol. Thanks blackcat20 - I now know I'm not alone. BTW - love the new pic!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Could be the explanation. Virgo/Leo mix.

I am a Leo !

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

Virgo here too and I always carry copies of everything also - including my ESTA Johnny - doesn't everybody? So sorry to hear of your terribly frustrating predicament Johnny - we all make mistakes and as Suzie posted I too have no time for anybody who kicks a fellow AFFer for any reason when he / she is down or makes a mistake.

Johnny things could be a lot worse - you or a loved one could be seriously sick or injured - travel inconvenience may be frustrating and expensive but keep your chin up mate and soldier on.

 

[serfty]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

... and I'm a Pisces ... hard copies of everything - even my Travel Insurance PDS...

 

[Foreigner]

Commiseration JohnK

 

[Denali]

Re: BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

I am a Leo !

I have copies of everything... Sometimes two...and electronic backup. And I'm a Leo.

For John, I would have been in heaving, ugly tears. I've read previously on Facebook of a similar problem but the staff was able to resolve it quickly.

Hope your weekend gets better.