08/02/2021
🆃🆁🅰🆅🅴🅻 🅴🆇🅿🅴🆁🅸🅴🅽🅲🅴 🆄🆂🅰 🆃🅾 🅸🅽🅳🅸🅰:-
SFO to Chennai
Just wanted to share my recent travel experience from SFO to Chennai and I hope some of you find this useful.
I travelled from SFO to Chennai on Jan 28th on Qatar airways.
I took my COVID-19 test via one medical. I had taken the test 76 hrs prior to my boarding and received my results in 2 days!
Check-in process :
During check-in, I was asked to show a copy of my COVID-19 documents including Qatar consent form , Chennai E-pass , self-declaration form (air suvidha) and my PCR test result. They verified the timeline, scanned them for record purposes.
Also, Qatar airways requires you to weigh your carry on as well. So make sure you stay within weight limits for your carry on as well. ( max was 7kgs but they allow a couple extra kgs. Also note that this weight is laptop Bag and carry on baggage together )
SFO to Doha flight :
Flight was hardly half full and I felt really safe. Crew reminded everyone to have a mask at all times and were super friendly.
Doha airport :
I had about 1.5hrs layover there and it was more than sufficient. Once I got down, I just had to follow signs and they were people to guide us to the right gate! I had ample time to freshen up, have a coffee. Security was not too crowded and was smooth.
Doha to Chennai :
Mask ans shield was mandated here and the crew provided us all with face shields at the gate. Again, great staff and service ! Middle seats were left empty and the flight was safe.
At Chennai airport :
Right before immigration, they ask for the airsuvidha form. If you don’t have one, you need to fill it up before proceeding to immigration.
I have an Indian passport , immigration took about 15 mins. There wasn’t a huge crowd since I landed at 1.30 am. Right before I got out of the airport, they collected my E pass and negative result.
Overall it was safe and I would definitely recommend taking Qatar. At Chennai COVID formalities weren’t super strict. As long as you have a printed copy of the documents I mentioned you should be good.
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SFO-DEL-AMD
Took this route SFO-DEL-AMD on 24th Jan. Feel free to ask me any questions, replies might be a delay. High-level things
- Took RT-PCR test in bay area before 72 hours of departure. It took 24-48 hours to get the results.
- AirIndia airline experience: Overall Okay (won't recommend if we do have other options). Food was good but I didn't eat much of what they have served, service was worse and flight became a dustbin after some hours (people made a mess after some hours )
- Most of the entertainment systems were not working (80%), including the reading light , So please prepared with all downloaded contents.
- At Delhi airport just security check for the next flight (to Ahmedabad), nothing else.
- Immigration and Customs At Ahmedabad airport, they ask for a self-declaration form and covid test. That's it.
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Chicago-Delhi-Chennai (AI126/AI1126
Below are the topics I was looking for and so providing it for other's benefit:
1. RT-PCR Test:
I did not take RT-PCR test in US and I wanted to avoid it(no specific reasons) as anyways testing is available in Chennai on arrival and I planned my Trip accordingly.
who booked ticket for me. If your end connecting flight in Air India is 4 digits, it is international connecting flight and immigration will be in your arrival on that final leg that has 4 digits (ex 1126, Delhi to Chennai and Delhi to Hyderabad (via a stopover in Chennai, Same flight stops at Chennai for dropping off Chennai passengers and continue to Hyderabad). Baggage will also need to be collected only in Final leg's arrival.
But anyways since I was living almost alone in entire apartment for the past one year and just stepped out for groceries and other things once in 3 or 4 weeks and maintaining super cautious and kept super social distancing and followed all COVID-19 norms diligently and was in full health, never felt I would get covid before /until I step into Airport. But that was my gut feel.
Also on hearing jam packed flights, I was very scary to just rely on RT-PCR report that was based on 3 days ago sample and what if I acquire COVID on the way all from Airport and Flights. So I decided to strictly self Quarantine myself due to the fear of catching COVID during travel and I have people with multiple pre-existing medical conditions at my home and so didn't want to meet them and put them on risk before 15 days Quarantine even if RT-PCR test from US would have been negative). So for ME, in MY case, RT-PCR negative report from US was of not much importance and I will prefer to take a test in arrival in Chennai and also will be taking another test after 10 days of arrival. It is just My thoughts and MY fear/comfort level. Not a recommendation for anyone. Many suggest taking RT-PCR test from US and then all set to roam around and meet all which I believe may not work for me. As per an Official in Chennai Airport and the person who collected my sample for Test, I can go anywhere (No Quarantine needed) the next minute I give the sample/ COVID negative report. No need to wait in airport for test results or no need or Quarantine at home. But I prefer people who can Self Quarantine, pls Quarantine yourself. Not a mandatory as per the officials though the instructions on paper/website says Quarantine. This is specific to Chennai/Tamil Nadu. Other states, pls follow local state rules as applicable.
2. Self Reporting form:
Filled this form online 3 days before travel. Website says this need to be filled 72 hours before. But I see this form can be filled on physical forms they give in flight or on the First landing Airport (Delhi for Air India or on the final legs too). No approval required for online submission or paper submission. Just fill this form online and take 2 to 3 copies print out. If not, no problem. Air hostess in Air India in the flight Chicago-Delhi leg were giving a set(2 Self Reporting forms, same forms but in 2 colors I think) and asking to fill if you haven't already filled online. If you have either hard copy or soft copy, no need to fill this form they give in flight. If you haven't filled online, you get this forms and fill it. They will ask this in Delhi Airport and also in Chennai. Didn't collect in Delhi, but were collected in Chennai. Showing Soft copy is enough in Delhi. But Hard copies were demanded in Chennai. I guess few were not having hard copy and were trying to show soft copy. Not sure if they were allowed to proceed or made to fill a manual form. I think all they are looking for is you have self reported your details to Govt of India
3. Quarantine Exemption form:
Since I didn't have have negative RT-PCR test, I didn't apply for Quarantine exemption. But I feel it is better and upto individuals to get negative RT-PCR test from US itself and get Quarantine exemption. In that case you need to submit this form along with negative RT-PCR report. Submission is enough. Approval of this form is not mandatory as some people wouldn't have negative RT-PCR until they board and so Quarantine exemption form cannot be even submitted.
4. Tami Nadu Epass to exit Chennai Airport:
TN epass is Mandatory in Chennai to exit the Airport. They are asking at airport exit. If you haven't applied and don't have a print out of it, I think they were calling them for filling a form manually. Since it is auto approved instantly, I applied for epass 3 or 4 days before travel and got it instant approved. You need to give the pick up Vehicle number, Driver name and mobile. I had given my own car number and vehicle number, but had to take a rental taxi due to non availability of my car during my landing time in Chennai. But there is no one checking where u went and what car u board after u hand over the epass copy to the police personal. So I handed over my epass, but had travalled in a totally different car. If you don't know the car that you will be traveling, I guess filling the form manually at the airport is totally fine and better. Or give your own vehicle details if you have. The reason they collect car and driver details in epass is for contact tracing. But as on date, most of the cab drivers don't have arogya setu app and so driver's mobile number is not going to help in contact tracing if it is rental taxi.
5. Arogya Setu app:
I installed it in US. But no one checked it anywhere. But during flight, announcements were made it is mandatory to have this app installed. So better install it even if it is not checked anywhere. I guess it is good to install as it will help in contact tracing. The app needs an Indian Mobile number. I just installed it and gave my Dad's number (Will send an OTP as well) as I do not have an Indian number. Got a new number and updated it later in the app. The app works base on Location services and GPS. So they must be turned on always for it to be functional and give you/health department any use out of it.
Request to Passengers inside the flight:
1. Chicago to Delhi leg was almost filled. 3+3+3 rows. Few middle rows were empty, I think they were filling window and aisle seats first during the bookings and there were not much booking to fill all middle seats. So some middle seats were empty.
2. 60 to 70% of the passengers were senior citizens and I believe some of them were finding it different to adjust to covid norms. Almost 10% of them were removing/lowering the masks to their chin MOST of the times and not wearing the face shield. I request everyone to pls inform/suggest/request/advise your parents/in-laws or whoever to pls have them follow the masks/face shield protocols at least inside the flight as much as possible. A gentleman in 70+ sitting next to me was coughing (not very often though, may be 5 or 6 times) and was not having mask most of the time. His wife never wore the face shield. She didn't even open it. Pls be mindful dear Dads and Moms. It is very difficult situation for everyone and you are putting all at risk. Try your level best pls.
3. Also try to reduce touching the seats when you walk. Due to ageing/weak body I see few senior citizens tend to touch/hold the seats when they passby which is fine. But some people simple were touching even if they can walk without any difficulty. I was in aisle and was bit concerned. But can't help much.
4. Try to limit/be reasonable on liquid/snack intake if possible and if your health condition permits. A person in early/mid 30s sitting in my row( occupied window seat, middle empty, I am on aisle) stepped out 9 times and I had to stand up and give way on all those times(I started counting when stepped out for 3rd time in less than 3 hrs of boarding) and grabbed 4 water bottles, 5 sodas, 2 teas) during the flight. I literally counted when the trash was piled up. Pls be considerate on fellow passengers if you are in middle row or window seat.. Try to reduce movements and accessing common area as much as possible.
Notes:
AI126(Chicago to Delhi) take off was delayed by more than 2 hrs due to snow and de-icing. (Layover was just 2hrs in Delhi if you choose AI126/AI1126 option). Due to delay, I had to run fast after Security check at Delhi as they told it was final call for boarding. It was very close. I think Air India provides alternate options if the miss is due to flight delay. I didn't want to go for that route and had to run/walk very fast.
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Chicago - delhi-Coimbatore.
1. Took RT-PCR test in CVS on Jan 13 around 10.00am got result on Jan 14th around 3pm.
2. We filed exemption already before getting result under category - travelling with kid under 10yrs . We submit three online forms. A.self declaration b. Exemption category c. Tamil Nadu e pass( not required but filled and took print out to avoid any questions).
3. We reached airport by 6.30pm (thought of avoiding rush) but Air India staff came by 6.50pm.our flight is AI110 its at 9.00pm .so we checked in luggage and got boarding pass for Chicago to Delhi and Delhi to Coimbatore. So they mentioned we check in luggage immediately after immigration and custom check in delhi because we have 10hr layover in Delhi for next flight. There is no rush in counter as well as security check. On time boarding in flight. They checked temperature before start boarding.
4.we reached on time Delhi by 11.15pm Jan 16 Indian time. In immigration no queue. Initial while coming out of flight straight path to reach immigrants on the way they ask for filled exemption form, self declaration form , covid test report and boarding pass ready on hand . Next stop they verify all documents and place seal for home quarantine for 15 days in boarding pass. Using lift we come down to first floor since I have suitcase and need to hold kid so I took lift instead of escalator. While coming out of lift straight immigrants check no queue (because we waited to avoid queue during initial place after come out of flight) . In immigration they ask all forms and passport. It went smoothly. Then come through shops to reach baggage. There no single trolly, since we are last and remaining trally all took and hide by porters (not sure they are porters, all have one batch and they give trolley also only if we ready to pay them : here first worst experience in trip) I afraid to pay them because no mask and just wear ppe type dress. Kept mask in pocket I saw when they come near custom. So I didn't book them since they are so mean.,next stop custom check, next stop covid test results verification. Then come out of international wing to go into Domestic wing in same terminal 3.( come out - turn left, walk straight to lift,) gate 4 for Air India. There they check passport, temperature.
5. There they didn't accept luggage because our flight is at 10am next day. No one don't have Complete idea. So don't decide by asking one person. I have boarding pass in hand already and in USA they informed me I can check in when ever I complete customs. So I asked 4 to 5 people. Finally I got correct answer and reached last corner counter at E counter. ( I shouldn't tell this but sorry they give preference only Hindi people . We waiting for long time . Finally I told them in USA Air India person told to check in immediately, them showing slip in boarding pass. Then finally got my boarding pass and make us wait and send all new Hindi people and doing them first and portter first. My kid is so tired so push them for mine. This second worst behaviour of those people by making many wait for Hindi person ( y I saying this because I saw some Hyderabad, Kerala people waiting with me ,they too told same story) not intended to create any offense really I faced this is which make to remember that) .
6. We booked hotel Holiday Inn inside terminal 3 - Domestic wing ( book through airport site) our fight is next day 10 so I don't want to sit outside with kid. ( you can see small desk at corner after Air India counter, you can see one phone on desk if u pick that it call to hotel and they will send some one from hotel to pick up. They will scan your luggage and take to hotel. It is very clean and food also very nice.
7. We did security check by 8am morning - distance maintaining. If we maintain also they look us differently. But still I maintain distance and back of us we kept our suitcases. After walk towards gate and boarded to flight.
8.Reached Coimbatore through Chennai, fight just land and pick people from Chennai also. Successfully reached Coimbatore. They took covid test again in airport. Only for adults and kids above 10yrs. We have our test results which we took in USA but they said its more than 3 days so better take. I feel that good form too so I took.
Food
From Chicago to Delhi
They serve dinner, breakfast and water when ever we need. - both are good
From Delhi to Coimbatore
They server breakfast
Mask
Chicago to Delhi
No one remove mask in winter journey
Delhi to Coimbatore
All wear mask below nose to there chin only
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PIT-EWR-DEL-BLR
Hi, I travelled with my 26mnths old baby girl from PIT-EWR-DEL-BLR and via road to tamil nadu on January 18th by united airlines. I carried an 8oz bottle of sanitizer, 2 flasks of water, 5 tetra milk packs, foods (lemon rice, curd rice, tamarind rice, chicken curry), 2 laptop, 2 ipads, 2 mobiles and hadn't faced any issues in airports. I wasn't asked any documents or app at pittsburgh airport and received boarding passes till Bangalore. I was told not to recheck-in my baggage’s at delhi but i completed the immigration process and collected baggage’s at delhi airport. The temperature check and passport verifications were done before boarding delhi flight. The EWR flight was almost empty, so many rows were free. In-flight service was as usual, provided one hot meal and 2 snacks. My baby had veg meal, she liked it too. Pillows and blankets were already on seats. They provided Health forms in flight it is same as self-declaration which we do online. After we landed in delhi, they verified only an exemption form and we finished immigration process and all formalities within an hour. We had 11hrs layover in delhi, we didn't stay in any hotel or longue just spent tym at the airport. We dropped our baggages at vistara counter 5hrs prior to the boarding. The vistara staff will stamp 14 days hme quarantine in boarding pass. After reaching bangalore, we collected our baggages and went out no one asked abt anything not even epass when we entered tamil nadu.
Cons :
1. I requested united to check-in one of my hand luggage as i cant carry so many bags with my baby but they said i ll be charged 100$.
2. After the immigration, there was so much crowd near premium longue where the people are in rush to take covid test. The safest option is to take test only in US to avoid such risks. They charge yu 3500rs in total, 800rs for the test and rest for stay at the longue with food.
3. I couldn't keep on sanitize my baby's hand often as she was touching everything in the airport and removing masks and face shield every minute. We really cant expect to stay 100% clean for sure when u have children.
Overall our journey was smooth without any problem
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Austin to Hyderabad via Chicago
I booked tickets separately from Austin to Chicago(United airlines) and Chicago to Hyderabad(air India) because of that I can carry 2 PC of checkin baggages. Those who booked connecting flights they got only 1 checkin baggage.
After boarding in Chicago,
1) Air India served snacks, dinner n morning breakfast.( for elders taking wheelchair assistance is best because we have to go from terminal 1 to terminal 5).
2) After landing in Hyderabad there is lot process, they asked per person 3 copies of self declaration forms so if any one travelling to Hyderabad 3 copies for each person.
3) next go for the stamp on the self declaration forms( there is a big line for stamping) next they will ask rt pcr negative reports ( I have rt pcr negative then also they said that report is not correct)and then they will give stamp on your hand for home quarantine.
3) next immigration check it’s gone easy for me. At immigration I saw they took passport of one person and said they will send it your home I don’t know why?
4) hand baggage scanning they are stopping some people and checking. For me they didn’t check.
5)****baggages are missing those who have connecting flight with united airlines. Air India people said that airlines didn’t sent lot of baggage.
6)again baggage checking here they stopped if they get any doubt they are stoping people... I saw they stopped 4 -5 people n they are requesting customs officers.
6) next exit here they took PP number n phone number.
This whole process took 4hrs. For me everything is good but waiting in the lines is so hard with my kid.
Now I’m in home quarantine. I want to inform this process those who are travelling to Hyderabad for it will be easy.
3 copies of self declaration forms you have u can go directly go to stamps on that paper then you go fast.
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San Franciso- Newark- Mumbai by United
a) Before travelling:
1. We booked tickets through United website. Booked premium tickets as the tickets included 2 - 50 lb baggages per person along with the 2 usual carryons plus obviously a bit more comfortable seats.
2. RT-PCR test (for bay area people): We booked 2 tests.
- free testing at santa clara fairgrounds booked through sccgov.org. They promise the results in 3-5 days. We got the results in 2.5 days. But it would have been a bit risky to get the exemption approved at the last moment and have a printed copy before travelling.
- We took a 2nd test at renegade.bio. Its in Oakland,CA. Can be a bit of drive for bay area people (50 min from my place) but it was totally worth it. They promised test results in 24hrs but we got ours in 12 hrs. We paid $95 per person after a promo code which I searched online, otherwise its $125. Along with detailed report they also provide proper travel documents having your passport number on it.
3. Air suvidha - 2 forms to fill Self declaration form and exemption request form (if you want to be approved for home quarantine)
- Filled the self reporting form first (1 form for both travellers). You can fill this any time from the time you book tickets until your date of travel.
- Filled the exemption forms after getting the negative RT-PCR test reports. I filled 2 exemption forms each for both parents with same self declaration form number. You can also fill 1 exemption form for both and combine the test results, but as I was reading in a lot of posts they were getting rejections (not sure if the air suvidha people did not scroll down to get the results of 2nd passenger ).
- It took a day to get approval > 24 hours, so the free covid test wouldnt have worked at least for us as we wouldnt have got the approval in time.
Important note :
The RT-PCR test should be taken 72 hours from departure from US. The air suvidha website just mentions 72 hours from departure, but its actually the departure from US which for us was Newark flight departure time , not SFO flight time.
4. Just install the arogya setu app- installation is enough. They did not check if mobile number is registered or not.
b) The travel from SFO-EWR
It was smooth- At the united counter where the bags was checked in they checked the self reporting form and if arogya setu was installed (this was the only place arogya setu was checked). Security check was smooth too.
c) The travel from EWR- BOM
-There was a bit of walk between the gates around a mile, but no security check here since it was from the same terminal ( terminal C of newark airport).
- there was a line for temperature checks and after that they were signing the boarding passes. The boarding process was smooth.
- Food included – 1 meal of grilled chicken and sprouts, salad and 1 more meal of Pita and humus, sprouts. Flight food was bland, cold and not up to the mark so I would highly suggest packing atleast 2 meals for the entire 15 hour flt duration.
d) At Mumbai Airport there were counters for
temperature check, checking self-reporting form, usual Immigration, customs..
- And finally, they checked the negative covid report and took the self reporting form where they signed and asked to take a photo which had to be shown in the exit gate.
Nowhere did they check the approved exemption. My parents were not wrist stamped for home quarantine (may be they stopped doing that). Overall Mumbai airport was smooth. It took a total time of 40-45 to exit the airport with baggage.
Note:
There were some random airport authorities who were telling people to go and stand in the testing line saying it was mandatory. My parents insisted that they knew all the rules and have approved exemption. Seeing them so confident about the procedures, they let them go. So, if someone is not aware, they send them to the testing line may be just for money.
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Chicago - Delhi - Vijayawada.
Took the Covid-19 test in CVS 72 hours before travel and got the results in 48 hour's.
- Filled Airindia Quarentain exemption from, uploaded CVS negative report in their website and got the approval for the same in 10 hours.
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/.../covid-19-exemption...
- Reached chicago airport no covid-19 test was verified.But just asked do you have the negative report while doing baggage checkin.
- Temperature was checked while onboarding the flight and also airlines giving the face shield and mask to all the passangers . mine was fully dirty and I have a back-up which I boght from outside.
- Flight was fully occupied and not observed social distancing much. Meals and snacks already served in each of the passanger seat.Also dinner was served at night.
- There is no much entertainment in flight, unfortunately infotainment system of mine is not working, better should have a offline videos in youtube/prime.
- Reached delhi airport on time and really surprised about the flight landing because there is no jerk and nothing while landing in airport. Thanks to the experienced pilot.
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- Delhi airport was neat and clean.There are many airport workers who are guiding and helping passenger in all the stages.
- Coivd19 negative report was verifying in many places in delhi airport until reaching the domestic airlines.
- Took the checkin baggage from international terminal and checkin the same in domestic airlines. If anyone took the alcohol in duty free in USA, that need to move inside the checkin baggage from cabin as it's not allowed in domestic carry-on baggages.
- landed in Vijayawada on time and there is a temperature check . some of the passangers whose temperature is high took them to ambulance
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