Stranded in Moscow

[Vaughn]

A young lady of 20, whom we consider to be like a niece, was summarily refused permission to board her
flight from SVO to JFK on Saturday, effectively stranding her in Moscow. All the details have not yet come
to light, except that it was not an airline employee, but a Passport Control agent, who turned her back.

The young woman traveled to Russia for the holidays, was in that window of time between 2-year
Green Card expiration and 10-year GC issuance, and had in her possession the usual Immigration
document extending her eligibility to freely travel. Apparently the agent didn't recognize the vaildity
of this document. On Monday, she will visit the American Consulate to get clarification and support
to return to her waiting mother, one of my wife's best friends.

More to follow as facts emerge.

[Diplomacy]

Horrible Vaughn, has to be a scary feeling for the Mother and the daughter.  I was thinking about that after you said it in Chat.  I think I would already be freaking out.  One thing if it is a wife, that would be bad.  My child OMG

[viking]

Vaugn, does she have some support over there? Place to stay? Is she dealing with this ok? I'm sure the consulate will clear things up, but I would be freaking out as well if that was my daughter. Damn a@@holes over there.

[Vaughn]

Fortunately she does have an aunt there, so it's not a total fiasco. We're really hoping
that the airline (Delta or Aeroflot, not sure which) will honor her Saturday ticket in the
next day or two. Never a dull moment...

Vaughn

[GoodOlBoy]

The young woman traveled to Russia for the holidays, was in that window of time between 2-year Green Card expiration and 10-year GC issuance, and had in her possession the usual Immigration document extending her eligibility to freely travel.

Hello Vaughn.

Let me guess, she has an expired 2 year green card and her International Russian Passport has the one year extension Visa stamp in it?

If so, somebody in SVO screwed the pooch on this one.

My wife just came through there a month ago with the same situation. But she didn't have any problems. She just showed them the expired green card and her International Russian Passport with the one year USA Visa extension stamp.

The paperwork for Marina's 10 year green card is so backed up in Vermont, that she applies for her USA citizenship NEXT MONTH!

Sorry for your troubles and worries.


GOB

[Vaughn]

In a brief one minute conversation this evening with her mother, we are told that the young lady
had the extension document translated into Russian by the Embassy on Monday.

She will depart SVO today (Tuesday), three days behind schedule, if all goes well.

[Shadow]

I hope that this time they will not make objections.

[Simoni]

In a brief one minute conversation this evening with her mother, we are told that the young lady
had the extension document translated into Russian by the Embassy on Monday.

She will depart SVO today (Tuesday), three days behind schedule, if all goes well.

Best wishes, and good luck to her!

[Diplomacy]

The embassy would not make a call on her behalf?  I hope she makes it home, I feel for anyone dealing with that.  It is good you are there for them too Vaughn.  Let us know when she is back in the USA.  Mama must be spitting nails bout now.

[Gator]

Just in time for the old New Year!  Tree is still up I assume.

[GoodOlBoy]

In a brief one minute conversation this evening with her mother, we are told that the young lady
had the extension document translated into Russian by the Embassy on Monday.

She will depart SVO today (Tuesday), three days behind schedule, if all goes well.

Sounds like good news Vaughn. 


GOB

[Vaughn]

There'll be a small crowd to receive her tonight at the airport, with her Mama at the forefront.

The embassy would not make a call on her behalf?

The impasse occurred on Saturday - leaving her little choice but to wait until they opened
on Monday. It makes a good case for weekday travel, with all documents translated.

Not to incense those who object, but here's our overdue darling...

[GoodOlBoy]

Not to incense those who object, but here's our overdue darling...

Nice picture Vaughn.

If you feel the hair on the back of your neck going up in the air, it is the "other" 33% on this forum's disapproval.  :evil:


GOB

[Ade]

Nice picture Vaughn.

If you feel the hair on the back of your neck going up in the air, it is the "other" 33% on this forum's disapproval.  :evil:


GOB

I think I've figured out why so few people reply to your (excessive number of (mainly) asinine) posts; the majority of people must have you on their ignore list.

[GoodOlBoy]

...the majority of people must have you on their ignore list.

Wrong again SeriouslyJaded, only 33% (minority) have me on their "ignore list".  :evil:


GOB

[Sculpto]

Wrong again SeriouslyJaded, only 33% (minority) have me on their "ignore list".  :evil:


GOB

GOB.. do you somehow feel empowered to belittle someone else because your microcosm of a poll garnered you a rather empty victory? 

[Simoni]

The impasse occurred on Saturday - leaving her little choice but to wait until they opened
on Monday. It makes a good case for weekday travel, with all documents translated.
 

Congrats, Vaughn.  You are lucky. When Marina was in Ukraine last year, she had the same impasse and had  to wait 3 weeks for offices to re-open after the old New Year!

[Vaughn]

Congrats, Vaughn.  You are lucky. When Marina was in Ukraine last year, she had the same impasse and had  to wait 3 weeks for offices to re-open after the old New Year!

3 weeks? I can't imagine it. As a teenager I was stranded in Europe here and there a few times,
but it was almost expected, flying "Sub-Lo" (which meant free if there was an empty seat) as the son
of a PanAm flight engineer. No big deal, I'd spend another day in Amsterdam, or find my way to London.

But 3 weeks because offices are closed is incredible. Come to think of it, we last landed at SVO on June 12
and because it was a holiday, we couldn't buy rubles very easily. 

[Vaughn]

Latest update - she's stateside, and making her connecting flight.

A real slap in the face was the $300 upcharge that Delta SVO forced her to pay.

I'd hate to be the Delta rep here when her Mom calls, she can be hell on wheels...

[Diplomacy]

I would take my chances with the Dog.