Hello from Vancouver!!
Jun 5th 2009 | 12:04 am
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
From: Richmond, BC
Hello from Vancouver!!
Hi all,
Well, it's 4:43AM, we've been up since about 1:30AM...the jetlag hit us with some force
, but we've landed in Vancouver.
After all our planning and preparation, we weren't prepared for the lack of information and continuity at Heathrow Terminal 5. It maybe lovely, big spacious and modern, but the boards in the check-in area ONLY display the Check-In zones info. When we checked in, we weren't informed of a time to be at the gate, or when to go through to the Departure lounge. Subsequently, after grabbing some breakfast (avidly monitoring a screen which wasn't going to tell us what we wanted), and then saying tearful goodbyes, we got to the security check point only to be told that there was a problem with our Boarding Passes and that we had to go to another desk to resolve it. We then found out that the gates closes 35 minutes before takeoff (just 10 mins after we got there), and that our luggage had been taken of the flight!! Luckily, we managed to get booked on the 2nd flight on the day (1710). So a word of warning to any folk planning to fly with BA from T5, it's best to go straight through the Security checkpoint, where ALL the information (Gates Nos, Gate opening times, and passenger annoucements!!) are made!!
Still, it was a blessing in disguise - everything happens for a reason. From the 300+ passengers, I think there was only 1 other couple immigrating. When we went through to the 'queue', there was only 2 other people being seen to! We were given a little bag with some handy info on healthcare, S.I.N application and Child Benefit. Then, to our amazement, all we needed to do was get an updated pic for Shamira as they require you to have one with your hair tucked behind your ears (point of notice). Once we signed our COPRs and had them stamped....that was it!! No questions about Proof of Funds, Goods to Follow/Accompanying....NOTHING!! Done and dusted in 20 mins!! Picked up our luggage (none lost thank God!). All done!!
Going to sort out the Social Insurance and other bits later. I (Michael) have an interview with my agency and have already been sent info on some IT jobs coming up so all being well, we should be up and running work-wise.
Loving the experience so far and our daughter is settling down well and taken it all in like a duck to water!!
Good luck to all who are following. Hopefully, you'll have as easy an experience as we did!
Best wishes,
Michael & Shamira
Well, it's 4:43AM, we've been up since about 1:30AM...the jetlag hit us with some force
, but we've landed in Vancouver.After all our planning and preparation, we weren't prepared for the lack of information and continuity at Heathrow Terminal 5. It maybe lovely, big spacious and modern, but the boards in the check-in area ONLY display the Check-In zones info. When we checked in, we weren't informed of a time to be at the gate, or when to go through to the Departure lounge. Subsequently, after grabbing some breakfast (avidly monitoring a screen which wasn't going to tell us what we wanted), and then saying tearful goodbyes, we got to the security check point only to be told that there was a problem with our Boarding Passes and that we had to go to another desk to resolve it. We then found out that the gates closes 35 minutes before takeoff (just 10 mins after we got there), and that our luggage had been taken of the flight!! Luckily, we managed to get booked on the 2nd flight on the day (1710). So a word of warning to any folk planning to fly with BA from T5, it's best to go straight through the Security checkpoint, where ALL the information (Gates Nos, Gate opening times, and passenger annoucements!!) are made!!
Still, it was a blessing in disguise - everything happens for a reason. From the 300+ passengers, I think there was only 1 other couple immigrating. When we went through to the 'queue', there was only 2 other people being seen to! We were given a little bag with some handy info on healthcare, S.I.N application and Child Benefit. Then, to our amazement, all we needed to do was get an updated pic for Shamira as they require you to have one with your hair tucked behind your ears (point of notice). Once we signed our COPRs and had them stamped....that was it!! No questions about Proof of Funds, Goods to Follow/Accompanying....NOTHING!! Done and dusted in 20 mins!! Picked up our luggage (none lost thank God!). All done!!
Going to sort out the Social Insurance and other bits later. I (Michael) have an interview with my agency and have already been sent info on some IT jobs coming up so all being well, we should be up and running work-wise.
Loving the experience so far and our daughter is settling down well and taken it all in like a duck to water!!
Good luck to all who are following. Hopefully, you'll have as easy an experience as we did!
Best wishes,
Michael & Shamira
Jun 5th 2009 | 12:14 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 87
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
Hey guys, so glad that you got their safely and everything was sorted so quickly at the other end.
Looking forward to catching up soon.
Lots of love Lisa and Richxx
Looking forward to catching up soon.
Lots of love Lisa and Richxx
Jun 5th 2009 | 12:49 am
#3
passport photo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 293
From: Edinburgh Zoo
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
some excellent points to note for future travellers, thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of the experience 
Jun 5th 2009 | 3:10 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 224
From: Whistler, BC
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
Congrats, the landing process is kind of an anti climax but still its great to get to the end of the process and have that weight lifted.
Enjoy Canada.
Enjoy Canada.
Jun 5th 2009 | 3:54 am
#5
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,457
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
Welcome to canada
You have wonderful weather in Vancouver at the moment, perfect for a bit of sightseeing when you've got over the jetlag.
You have wonderful weather in Vancouver at the moment, perfect for a bit of sightseeing when you've got over the jetlag.
Jun 5th 2009 | 4:06 am
#6
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
From: Richmond, BC
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
When we landed yesterday at 6.30pm - the pilot said it was 25 degrees.. gorgeous weather... loving it!!
Jun 5th 2009 | 7:52 am
#8
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,457
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
Yes I'm on nights and it's impossible to sleep during the day
Jun 5th 2009 | 9:44 am
#9
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10,222
From: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
well done - where are you based?
Jun 5th 2009 | 9:55 pm
#10
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
From: Richmond, BC
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
) Looking forward to driving around to places we've only read about the forum, and house we've only seen pics of on realtor.ca!! We're currently based in Ladner...it would be nice to meet up with you guys! I'm sure we'll sort something out in due course
Jun 6th 2009 | 10:34 am
#11
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10,222
From: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
Yep, certainly am loving' the weather at the moment (this jetlag is a killer though!! Wide awake at 2:53am!!! ) Looking forward to driving around to places we've only read about the forum, and house we've only seen pics of on realtor.ca!!
We're currently based in Ladner...it would be nice to meet up with you guys! I'm sure we'll sort something out in due course
) Looking forward to driving around to places we've only read about the forum, and house we've only seen pics of on realtor.ca!! We're currently based in Ladner...it would be nice to meet up with you guys! I'm sure we'll sort something out in due course
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...98#post7638798
Jun 6th 2009 | 1:39 pm
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 888
From: 100 mile house BC (tiz a long way away from devon)
Re: Hello from Vancouver!!
[QUOTE=the_connors76;7637004]
.....No questions about ...... Goods to Follow .....
Hi
I would telephone/visit yvr to check on this if I was you,
As we understood it the goods to follow paperwork, was to ensure that customs did not impose taxes on your goods when they eventually arrive in canada.
eldest daughter landed last week, at yvr with my wife, she had to ask for the forms...to ensure it arrives 'duty free'.
cheers
Jerry
.....No questions about ...... Goods to Follow .....
Hi
I would telephone/visit yvr to check on this if I was you,
As we understood it the goods to follow paperwork, was to ensure that customs did not impose taxes on your goods when they eventually arrive in canada.
eldest daughter landed last week, at yvr with my wife, she had to ask for the forms...to ensure it arrives 'duty free'.
cheers
Jerry
