This information is useful for people who are first time traveling to USA.

• In Home Country
  • Airline
  • Carry Luggage
  • Before going to Airport
  • Coming to Airport
  • Check in
  • Immigration
  • Customs
  • Boarding
• On the plane
• At Intermediate Airport
• United States
  • Before Arrival
  • Arrival
  • Domestic Flight

• Get your Airline number so that you can confirm.
• Get destination address and telephone number in USA. Perhaps alternate (neighbors) telephone number might also be useful.
• Get your itinerary very clearly. Itinerary looks like below. It has details of all the Airline code,flight number, starting end ending airports and date/time. Remember all times are in local time zone

                            
    AI101 26DEC MUMBAI LONDON  0700 DEP 1000 ARR
    AI101 26DEC LONDON NEWYORK 1200 DEP 1710 ARR
    
  

  Above itinerary has two flights. Due to Time zone change, this is going to be longest day of your life.
• Get clear cut plan of how to meet at final destination.

The carry baggage is the biggest problem while coming to U.S. What to carry? How much to carry? Do I carry more woolen clothes because its cold out there? Well, we all think, it depends !!
Don't carry too many heavy utensils, cooker etc. You can buy most of the utensils there. They are not costly and you don't have to carry much. You can carry some spices with you if you want to, because after going there you may start missing the Indian food taste.

Don't carry too many warm clothes (unless you are going there in winter), or sports shoes etc. It would be better if you buy them after going there.

That way you can buy the latest style. But you should carry leather shoes, since leather items are costly in the U.S. Rest, it all depends on you and your needs !!

Big bag that go through Cargo are Checked-in Baggage. And small baggage you carry with you all the time is hand-baggage. Put small sticker indicating your destination address and telephone number. It won't happen, but if at all you lose your luggage in the airport never get out of the terminal till you file a complaint with the authorities.

Checked-in Baggage

Most airlines allow a total of three pieces of luggage free of charge for each ticketed passenger - one carry-on bag and two checked items. International airports determine luggage allowance and luggage charges(if applicable) based on weight and number of pieces.

They allow two big bags as checked in baggage. At the time of check-in they will take these bags and return it to you in Final destination directly. You will not see these bag anywhere in between. If your bags are not very strong tie ropes so that they stand rough handling.

Total linear dimensions(length+height+width) of each checked in baggage must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) and weight of each bag must not exceed 32 kgs(70 pounds).

Hand-Baggage

You can carry one piece per person. You should have all the important Visa documents you carried to embassy/consulate, because they might need them at immigration at the port of entry(arrival at first intention airport) in USA. Also keep one set of clothing, and other necessary stuff like toothbrush etc in it.

Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry-on luggage plus a briefcase/lap top computer/purse. In addition, each passenger may carry a coat, umbrella, cane or other "special" items (see items listing below). All items not needed in flight should be checked. Medicine, keys, important papers and travel documents (passport) should be carried on board by the passenger.

Carry-on luggage must fit underneath the passenger seat or in an overhead compartment. Maximum carry-on dimension is 22" x 14" x 9" (carry-on must fit in carry-on sizing box located at check-in counters), and maximum carry-on weight is 40 pounds. Passengers traveling in First Class, Business Class, or as a member of frequent flyer programs who already have lot of miles occurred(like Gold members, Silver members etc.) may be allowed an extra carry-on item. But that depends upon particular airline.

"Special" Items

• Coat
• Umbrella
• Crutches, cane, brace, or other prosthesis on which passenger is dependent
• Collapsible manual wheelchair
• One stroller
• Infant Car Seat
• Infant Diaper Bag
• 2 Golf Clubs (if approved storage space is available)
• Reading Material
• Camera
• Two wheeled luggage cart (cart and bag must fit under seat or in overhead bin)

Infants

Infants not entitled to a seat are allowed one checked bag with total linear dimensions not exceeding 115 cms. (45 inches), plus one checked or carry-on fully collapsible stroller or push chair, or an infant's carrying basket or car seat which may be carried in the passenger cabin subject to availability of space.

Disabled Passengers

Incapacitated passengers are allowed one fully collapsible wheelchair and/or crutches, canes, braces, and other prosthetic devices without charge over and above the free baggage allowance provided that the passenger is dependent on them. Fully collapsible wheel chairs may be carried in the passenger cabin if space permits it and in any case at the complete discretion of Air-India at the time of check-in. Collapsible wheel chairs not permitted in the passenger cabin will be carried in the baggage holds.

Misc Articles

The following articles, irrespective of their actual dimensions, may be considered as a piece of checked baggage at 158 cms (62 inches) :

• One sleeping bag or bedroll
• One rucksack, knapsack or back pack
• One pair of snow skis with one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots or one snow board and boots
• One golf bag containing golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes
• One duffel-type bag or a soft-sided zippered bag with zippered side panel (IATA Type 22)
• One suitably packed bicycle (single seat, non-motorized touring or racing type) with handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed
• One pair of standard water skis or one slalom water ski
• Suitably packed fishing equipment consisting of not more than 2 rods, reel, 1 landing net, 1 pair of fishing boots and one fishing tackle box
• One portable musical instrument not exceeding 100 cms (39 inches) in length.

Clothes

Since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable. Wear your shoes - in-flight you can remove them (some airlines give in-flight shoes - else relax in socks). Chappals are fine but you might feel cold at intermediate place like London.

Ask

Don't hesitate to ask questions. Usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India. Keep your questions very simple. Also ALWAYS, keep you answers very simple. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Ask what to do next at all the counters. See sign/directions. Be on time. Once out of India, be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors).

See

You will always see signs/direction/maps about where you want to go.

Escalators

Using Escalators or Moving Staircases can be scary, in case you have not used them before. You should not be afraid of these. Trick of getting on Escalator is to make sure that your foot is over only one step and not over two steps. Trick of getting off is to keep you one foot lifted and ready to walk. When Escalator ends, put down lifted foot and start walking. Normally there is plain staircase as an alternative.

International airports are usually divided into 2 sections top floor for departures and ground floor for arrivals. Departures might been divided in to different sections according to the airline. Check from which terminal your airline flies. You will also see a big board while driving to airport telling which terminal to go to for you airline. Your travel agent or airline telephone can also give the terminal.

Be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure. Collect $50 or $100 at the airport (part of it in $1). Carry Rs.1000 per head along with you.

Once you go inside, you cannot come out. So, spend sometime outside with family if you come early.

Attach small sticker/tag to baggage indicating your final destination address. Your Check-in only bags (not hand baggage) will be screened under X-ray machine and they will put stamp on the baggage tag.

Go to your Airline counter. And show your Passport, Tickets. Tell them again about your vegetarian food and window seat and non-smoking area.

They will weigh your baggage. They will ask you two questions "Did you pack the bags yourself?(answer is yes). Did anyone give you anything to carry?(answers is no). Ask them if baggage is also flying to Final destination on the same airline. Counter person will give you Boarding Pass with Baggage Sticker and passport / tickets back. Keep these documents safe. They'll tell you the Gate Number (Gate is where plane is parked). Now you have only you hand baggage with documents with you.

They will also give you the form called Embarkation form which looks like following:

Stand in the line for Immigration Check of Indian National. Whenever they will call you should go. There will be a Police Office sitting there. Go immediately once they call you and Keep your handbag above/near your seat. They will ask your passport and ask you some questions about your journey and purpose. Then ask at the counter where to go next.

Next you will go for CUSTOMS Check. They will ask us if we have anything to declare. You normally won't have anything to declare. You would have just Clothes and personal belonging. Then ask at the counter where to go next.

You will proceed towards the Gate Number they gave at Check-in time. Gate number is also on the Boarding Pass. All gates are on lower level.

You might have lot of time. There are places to sit. There are lots of shops also, just to look at.

Next you will go for SECURITY CHECK. Here they will scan every person (gents and ladies separate) and X-say their hand baggage. Then you have to wait in a hall till they make announcement for Boarding.

Normally they sit people in following order (Handicapped, First Class, Last rows, Middle Rows, and Front Rows) Your keep you boarding pass ready and enter the plane. Air hostess may help you locate your seat, if not ask them. Put your hand-baggage in overhead compartment(under seat in worst case). There will blankets for each of you in your seat. If it is not there, ask the air-hostess for one.

Enjoy your flight. Try to learn more about other nations from the co-passengers.

Food

Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible. They bring food to you every now and then. You don't have to finish everything. Just eat what you like. You can always ask for, something to drink or eat. For vegetarians - watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. Veg. Food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. Normally everything thing including drinks is free but before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it.

Misc

When flight is long, they close windows to make you sleep. Try to sleep. You can walk around once plane is in the air or just sit in one place. They show some movies and some programs in the flight. Also there is some music. If you want you can get a book to read or walkman to listen to music to. All the announcements are in English and also in the official language of the country of the airline. If you don't understand anything ask flight attendant or a neighbor.

There can be international stops on your way to the U.S.

Generally passengers are required to get down at an International stop, which might be for Security checkup or cleaning of the airplane. You should take your hand baggage with you when you get down. You will be given a 'transit card' or say 'transit visa'. Normally the halt is for a few hours. Listen to the announcement which is always made before the international halt. You will hear or see on TV monitor information about departure time, gate number etc. This information also may be on the boarding pass. Flight attendant also can give your Terminal and Gate number for you next flight. After getting down at Intl. Airport, you can move around in the airport. You may want to get fresh in the toilets located in the airport.

It's always advisable to keep your watch in sync with current time zone.

Changing flight

Remember that your airport is mostly very big. Locating gate might take longer time to search for Terminal and Gate number. Plan you activity keeping next flight in mind. Search for Terminal and gate number where from your next flight will leave. Airport normally has good directions/maps. You can also ask airport staff about how to go to the gate. Once you locate the gate, you may spend some time looking around. Ideally you won't eat anything outside because, you eat in the flight. Be at the gate within 45 minutes of your flight's departure for the onward journey, because they may require to check your tickets etc.

Boarding again

You have to go through Metal Detectors, X-ray you hand-baggage again. You might have to wait for sometime before they announce boarding of the flight. Once you get in, you are all set to take off for the final destination.

Before landing in US port-of-entry(international airport in where you first land in US), you will have to fill two forms, namely I-94 Arrival-Departure Record and Customs form. Both of the forms will be given by flight attendant prior to landing in US. Fill these forms in only capital letters. Wherever they mention TYPE or PRINT, it means write in capital letters. Fill one I-94 form for each person. Fill only one customs forms for the whole family.

The lower portion will be given back and it should be kept in Passport. It's required while going back. On the reverse side you may have to sign.

Keep your watch in sync with current time zone.

Getting out of plane

Take you all the things including hand-baggage and start walking towards immigration check. Follow the signs for immigration. There will be separate lines for US citizens/Green Card holders and for non-immigrant visa holders such as Visitor visa and H1B visa. Keep two filled forms filled in the passport. Also keep all other papers ready in case required. Every one in th family can walk together to Immigration Counter.

Immigration

They will ask for passport and filled I-94 forms. They will ask you simple questions like how long you will stay? What's purpose of your trip? Where will you stay? Talk absolutely to the point. Don't try to lie. Make sure that whatever you say is written on the paper. Keep you answers simple and to the point such as "6 months", "Visiting my son and see tourist places", "with my son". They stamp your your passport saying you are permitted for six-month stay(for visitor visa holders) or for 3 years(H1B/H4 visa holders). They also staple a counter foil of I-94 form (Departure Record) in your passport. It is stamped with a date, which is the day until when you are supposed to stay in the US. Your stay after that day in US is illegal. You never loose it.

Many people who come here on non-immigrant visa are confused regarding the duration for which they can stay legally in the United States. The visa stamp is used just to enter the United States. And you can enter United States at any period during the validity of the visa. (Whether you can enter once or multiple times is dependent whether your visa is single entry or it is multiple entry.) At the port of entry, immigration officer determines the duration for which you can stay in the United States. And that is the legal period for which you can stay. So if you coming on visitor visa and your visa is expiring next month and immigration officer grants you six months stay, then you can stay here for six months.

Baggage Claim

Try to acquire some 25 cent coins (called "quarters"), which you may need for getting a trolley cart for your baggage and also for making telephone calls etc. Thereafter move toward the baggage claim carousel assigned to your flight, simply follow the signs directing you to the place. Collect your luggage and look for signs directing you to customs clearance. At the customs clearance they may ask you to open your bags for a security check/verification.

Customs

Push your trolley towards customs. Customs officer is going to ask you what are you bringing in. You answer would normally be clothes and personal belonging. If they ask to open the bag, just co-operate. They are mainly looking for drugs etc. The officer will stamp on your form and keep it with him. Now you are free to go. Follow signs for Ground Transportation. Walk out of closest door with the baggage and trolleys.

And say to yourself "WELCOME TO USA".

Meeting point

Fix a meeting area which is a single spot. This is where you'll wait in case of delay. Normally there are information counters or shops. In case it takes too long, goto any public phone and and make a collect call to alternate number(to neighbor or friend for example).

Since the Port-of-entry may not be your final destination in the U.S. and you have to proceed onwards, locate the counter for the domestic airline you will be taking to your final destination. Above all don't hesitate or feel shy to ask for help from airport support staff (at information desks)or police officers, if you need anything.

Follow signs directing you to your domestic flight because you will need a boarding pass. If it is far away, take the Airport shuttle (bus) service which is free. If you don't know where to get down, tell the driver in advance and he will drop you off at the proper place. At the counter(podium) check-in your baggage and get your boarding pass issued and ready.

On arrival at the final destination, collect your baggage once again and look around for that someone who may be there to receive you. If you don't find anyone or you already have specific instructions, follow those, otherwise call up your son/daughter, other relatives or friends. Therefore remember to keep phone numbers handy.

Finally, if no one comes to pick you up, try to locate the information counter from where you will get all the information regarding how to call for Also the Public Transport section of this guide will help you in understanding the travel facilities available in the U.S.

• Boarding: A designated time when the gate agent instructs passengers with boarding passes to enter the airplane.

• Boarding Pass: A card issued by an agent which allows you to board an airplane.

• Confirmed: The reservation for a trip has been verified by a reservation agent.

• Gate Agent: The person who issues the boarding passes and checks in passengers at a departure gate.

• Pre-Board: A procedure for boarding passengers who may need special assistance or additional time in boarding the flight prior to the boarding of the majority of passengers.