Daviation

Happy Independence Day!

After quite a bit of research, we used The Atlas Series insurance available through: http://www.hccmis.com/ It is not cheap... and it gets much more expensive after the insured reaches age 70. In fact, its been a couple of years, but I vaguely remember there was a cutoff age after which they didn't offer a policy.

Avast has been awesome for us... after having used quite a few others. My wife's computer had something on it that, according to blogs, could likely have been motherland installed spyware. Paid version of McCafee never found it. Paid version of Norton found it but couldn't cure it. Free Avast... found and eliminated it.

Hello, I need to ask advise for a friend of my wife. The friend is from China and has been here and married for about 7 years... with 10 yr GC for the last 3 years. A few weeks ago her husband passed away. Does she need to notify Immigration? She seems to think that after 3 years on permanent GC that it isn't necessary. I've not heard that before... but honestly have no idea. Sad situation, and we're just trying to help her through... Thanks

The answer the original poster's question (cuz I didn't see anyone actually answer that), while you may have iPhone service on Tmobile right now, it is at much slower speeds than your phone is actually capable of obtaining (even if it is an old phone). You probably won't notice the speeds for just phone service, but if you use much data service or web browsing you would certainly notice.

It won't much affect ability to obtain B2 visa for her parents to come and visit (maybe a little harder, but not much... we've done it). B2 is usually good for up to 6 months visit. If they wanted to actually immigrate, she would first have to become US citizen and then she could petition on their behalf.

Yes, Hong Kong airlines if quite reliable. They are part of the Hainan Air Group. I've flown them from Nanning to HK, but not the other way around. Going to Nanning for us we have the same problem Randy notes... not very good connection times. Other options include transiting to Shenzhen (by boat) or Guangzho (by bus)... where there are more (and usually cheaper) flight options to NNG. Good luck!

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/first-a380-for-china-southern-grounded-two-weeks-after-maiden-flight-20111031-1mr3b.html First A380 for China Southern grounded two weeks after maiden flight Now there's a conundrum... 'ya gotta have several extra birds as backup when it's broken for weeks at a time...

Interesting, Randy. My information about France is 2 years old so might be out of date... but at that time when I called the local Seattle office they were still telling me that visa applicants had to interview in SF. I'll have to look into that. I don't believe the German Honorary Consul is published on their web site. I frankly can't even remember how I stumbled across it, but I have her business card and just spoke with her again day before yesterday. We have interview scheduled with her to obtain my wife's 2nd Schengen Visa for entry through Germany. If any wants that number, feel free to PM me.

Germany has Honorary Consul in Seattle. France doesn't. For French Schengen visa you'd have to go to San Francisco for interview.

If Germany is the first country being visited, you can interview in Seattle. It is not a well published fact, and I can't even remember how I found out the first time. But I know it works... we've done it before... and I just yesterday talked with the "Honorary Consul" here and scheduled appointment for interview to do it again. You'd be welcome to PM me for contact information...

The EU Shengen visa is quite easy to get and is valid in almost all mainland EU countries (but NOT the UK). We got one a couple of years ago and traveled through Germany, France and Italy. We're about to do it again so she can accompany me on another upcoming business trip. You apply for the visa through the consulate of whichever country you'll be entering first. In our case that was Germany, and luckily Germany has a consulate official here in Seattle authorized to conduct the visa interview. The package still gets mailed to consulate in SF for issuance of visa, but at least we didn't have to travel there. With the visa in hand we had no trouble traveling around mainland EU countries.

It is a VERY smooth ride. And I was a skeptic... who doesn't like turbulence (whether I'm drivin' or ridin')... but have to say it's the smoothest ride I've experienced. And very quiet.

That is an amazing and huge double decker bird. On the other hand, you'll love the Dreamliner Kim. I'm lucky to have had that chance... and it is spectacular. Seeing that long curved wing flex as it lifts... through those new huge windows... is sexy (but have to admit I'm a geek that way). Can't wait until China Southern flies 'em direct Vancouver to Guangzhou. It will truly be a game changer with many new direct long haul routes that will now be economically viable. I will be happy to bypass HK or Beijing on my way to other parts.

We've had similar troubles in past, but have since done what Carl notes above. We'll be leaving Shanghai in about 3 hours... and hopefully looking forward to no issues this time. Good luck.