Sunday, November 12, 2006
Pre-Departure
Packing
• Start your packing well in advance
• Buy two good bags (samsonite is a good choice but bit costly)- they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling.
• They should be as large as possible within the size limitations
• Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the bags (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).
Note: you can buy one semi hard and one soft luggage. Stuff all your dress in soft luggage and keep all kitchen set and other food items in the semi hard luggage.
Don’t buy hard luggage since it will weigh heavier then soft and semi hard luggage.
Box specifications
• Check your airlines website and confirm your baggage size specification
• Please try not to exceed these specification limits (it avoids unnecessary confusion in airport )
Things to be kept in the bags
• Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
• Important apping materials (transcripts, resume, SOP, reco etc)
• Necessary books/notebooks [note: there should be no legal hassles taking Xerox copies of book]
• Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
• Some stationery and related items
• Medical history file
• 1 pair chappals
• soap (bath), toothbrushes etc
• DVD/ CD's
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
• some medicines (including for air-sickness)
• novel/magazines/books to kill time in flight
• mint, chewing gum, something to munch (of course they will feed you in flight)
• sweater
• original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
• enough money (little cash, travelers’ checks)
• address book/phone book (Indian & US)
• copies of your photo (passport size)
• enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
• things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
(two sets of clothes, valuables like calculator, addresses, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
Things to be kept on person
• shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
• receipt got along with travelers’ checks - in case you lose the TC's
Things to be left at home
• List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained
• one copy of all your important documents
• a copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files
• Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel
• Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable)
• Your tailoring measurements
• Power of attorney - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
• confirm your flight tickets and meal preferences (imp. for veggis).
• call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change)
• rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag
• bid bye to all concerned
On the day of the flight * in-flight + later
• since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (or you can wear clothes which r really heavy. So if you wear them then u save some pounds off your luggage). Wear your shoes - inflight you can remove them (some airlines give inflight shoes - else relax in socks)
• be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
• collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
• relax during flight, sleep as much as possible or enjoy movies on screen
• 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. (Before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't hesitate to ask questions.
• once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India.
• Start your packing well in advance
• Buy two good bags (samsonite is a good choice but bit costly)- they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling.
• They should be as large as possible within the size limitations
• Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the bags (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).
Note: you can buy one semi hard and one soft luggage. Stuff all your dress in soft luggage and keep all kitchen set and other food items in the semi hard luggage.
Don’t buy hard luggage since it will weigh heavier then soft and semi hard luggage.
Box specifications
• Check your airlines website and confirm your baggage size specification
• Please try not to exceed these specification limits (it avoids unnecessary confusion in airport )
Things to be kept in the bags
• Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
• Important apping materials (transcripts, resume, SOP, reco etc)
• Necessary books/notebooks [note: there should be no legal hassles taking Xerox copies of book]
• Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
• Some stationery and related items
• Medical history file
• 1 pair chappals
• soap (bath), toothbrushes etc
• DVD/ CD's
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
• some medicines (including for air-sickness)
• novel/magazines/books to kill time in flight
• mint, chewing gum, something to munch (of course they will feed you in flight)
• sweater
• original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
• enough money (little cash, travelers’ checks)
• address book/phone book (Indian & US)
• copies of your photo (passport size)
• enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
• things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
(two sets of clothes, valuables like calculator, addresses, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
Things to be kept on person
• shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
• receipt got along with travelers’ checks - in case you lose the TC's
Things to be left at home
• List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained
• one copy of all your important documents
• a copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files
• Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel
• Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable)
• Your tailoring measurements
• Power of attorney - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
• confirm your flight tickets and meal preferences (imp. for veggis).
• call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change)
• rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag
• bid bye to all concerned
On the day of the flight * in-flight + later
• since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (or you can wear clothes which r really heavy. So if you wear them then u save some pounds off your luggage). Wear your shoes - inflight you can remove them (some airlines give inflight shoes - else relax in socks)
• be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
• collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
• relax during flight, sleep as much as possible or enjoy movies on screen
• 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. (Before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't hesitate to ask questions.
• once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India.
# posted by yrum @ 8:52 PM 
