ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomMy Interview - Not So Bad After All!
I think from your excellent description you were interviewed by the same CO as I was - nice guy, short hair, quite young?

I never thought of the embassy as being built of egg boxes but I won't be able to see it any other way now laughing.gif They're moving to a new building though. Hopefully they'll flatten the current building, it really is horrid laughing.gif


JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-12 21:57:00
United KingdomRe-entry permit for a holiday?
Semi-related question, could be relevant to the OP:

If someone terminates their permanent residency properly, returns their green card, leaves the US without accruing overstay, etc, does that person then become eligible to use the VWP again? Assuming they were eligible before they were issued their original visa, of course.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-30 13:44:00
United KingdomIndependent Medical Evaluation
Ok... If he was never diagnosed then what he needs to say is that he was "investigated for bi-polar disorder but was not diagnosed." Obviously he still needs to fully disclose all of the circumstances but make sure that the panel physician understands that no real (recorded) diagnosis was ever made. There's a difference between 'has bi-polar disorder' and 'may have bi-polar disorder' smile.gif


JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-09 15:23:00
United KingdomIndependent Medical Evaluation
QUOTE (sammills89 @ Mar 4 2009, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can he still book the medical or is it best to wait for it to be approved?

You need to wait until he's approved and the case has been through the NVC (doesn't take that long), when it will be allocated a new case number (starting LND this time). Knightsbridge Doctors won't schedule a medical unless you can give them an LND number. You can obtain the LND number before London send out the forms by calling the Dept. of State, I think but we didn't do this so I don't know the precise details. It's a balancing act though because you don't want the embassy to receive the medical report before they receive the file from NVC (otherwise they'd surely think 'who on earth is this?')

My medical wasn't extended either. Basically they did the normal chest X-ray, blood HIV/syphilis test, checked my vaccinations, eyesight, etc, and that was about it. The discussion about mental health, she just asked me a few basic questions:

'How long have you been depressed?'
'Have you ever tried to harm yourself or others?' (no)
'What treatment have you received?' (told her about an SSRI that I was on at the time and the CBT I went through a year or so earlier)
'Do you think the treatment helped?' (yes)
'Do you still consider yourself depressed?' (explained how my relationship had helped more than any treatment but that I wouldn't be 'better' until I was back with my fiancée tongue.gif)

I think that was about it. Really, she didn't probe too deeply but YMMV from case to case just how in-depth they go, I suppose. Thinking about it a bit, in retrospect, I suspect what she was really looking to answer for herself was 'if he goes downhill again, will he seek help before he becomes a risk to himself/others?'

Remember that having a history of mental health problems is not a block to visa issuance - not being able to safely manage those problems should they come back in the future is what they're looking out for.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-04 17:28:00
United KingdomIndependent Medical Evaluation
I'm not sure what you mean by extended interview - my K-1 interview at the embassy was over in less than 5 minutes smile.gif If you get an 'OK' from the medical, no questions about it should come up at the interview.

Perhaps in your fiancé's case, he could consider pre-emptively obtaining a letter from his GP and taking them (with the discharge papers he's getting) to his medical. Total transparency, a willingness to openly discuss it with the panel physician and consenting to them obtaining his medical history are what is most important. That way, he will show that he has nothing to hide.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-04 13:57:00
United KingdomIndependent Medical Evaluation
Please consider this entire post to be labelled 'Your Mileage May Vary' and 'I Am Not A Lawyer' because I don't have bi-polar disorder. That said I do have some long-term depression issues and can share my medical experiences and the process that was outlined to me by the panel physician.

I declared my depression and the anti-depressants that I was on at the time (not any more smile.gif) as well as some CBT that I did about a year prior on the medical questionnaire. This is obvious but cannot be understated - be totally honest on that form. When I went in to see the doctor and we got around to the subject of mental health, she said that she would ask me some questions and decide if my condition warranted "further investigation to determine my eligibility for a visa" and that the further investigation would be writing to my GP to get a report regarding whether or not I was a danger to myself or others. She asked what treatment I had received and when, then went over all the standard 'have you ever tried to harm yourself' type questions rolleyes.gif. Fortunately, she decided I'm not dangerous tongue.gif so she tip-ex'd out my 'Yes' on the questionnaire and ticked 'No' instead and that was that.

My issues were/are not bi-polar disorder as I said but I can only assume the principle will be the same where there's a history of depression-related illness - they will write to the GP for more info if they can't decide for themselves. I would hazard a guess that an exchange of letters between GP and Knightsbridge Doctors could take a few weeks so you might want to suggest your fiancé schedule his medical as early as possible to maximise the time available before his visa interview at the embassy. Also, I believe that NHS GPs are allowed to charge a covering fee for this sort of disclosure report/letter but it shouldn't be expensive.

Sorry I don't have any advice on what exactly happens if it gets referred to his GP (I'd imagine it varies from GP to GP in any case) but I wanted to just outline what the process was for me, just over a year ago.

Oh, one more thing - be absolutely certain to fully disclose any medications including dosages on the medical questionnaire - taking a photocopy of the most recent prescription to the medical might be a good idea.

Good luck smile.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-04 00:43:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
That sucks sad.gif Sorry to hear about the hold up... Hopefully it'll just be a couple of days.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-30 13:28:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
Good luck smile.gif

I feel it's almost silly to say because it's like telling the sun not to rise but don't be nervous - it'll be far easier than you ever imagined, honest biggrin.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-03-29 18:45:00
United KingdomDo K1's need to bring their x-rays with them?
Yes, definitely pack the x-ray in checked luggage. I can't imagine how much of a pain in the butt it would be to carry it in the cabin - it's tricky enough getting it out of London on the Tube laughing.gif

Basically, in the hopefully unlikely event that they decide to put him into secondary processing, he'll be sent to reclaim his baggage and can get his x-ray out then.

Like others have said, most people don't get their x-ray examined at all but I really wouldn't recommend not taking it at all - just one wrong sounding *cough* at the passport desk and they'll probably want to see it.....

Edited by JeremyR, 12 April 2009 - 09:46 AM.

JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-12 09:43:00
United Kingdomissues getting packet 3 and check list to embassy.
QUOTE (WHITE COW @ Apr 13 2009, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the responses everyone.

My Fiance sent it what he calls recorded delivery. He works long shifts but luckily he is off tomorrow. We are planning to fill it all out again tonight and he will send it off once more as well as find out who signed for it.

And photocopy the forms (unsigned) before you do - that way if it should get lost again wacko.gif , all you have to do is sign the copies and send them again smile.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 14:37:00
United Kingdomissues getting packet 3 and check list to embassy.
Assuming you sent it Royal Mail, did you use Special Delivery, etc? If you still have the receipt from the post office, call them up or go to their website to get the Proof of Delivery and the signature image, that way you can see if it really was delivered (and if it wasn't, send it again and claim the compensation from RM)

If you have to submit the packet again, make sure you send it by Special Delivery at the very least, so you can know it was delivered.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 13:35:00
United KingdomCreme Eggs -- How do you eat yours?
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Apr 3 2009, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I love em , used to really like the tofee mallow ones but not seen them for years

You can get them over here!

Proof of Life:


Admittedly that's an imitation brand but I have had a bona-fide Cadbury marshmallow/caramel egg here a couple of weeks ago. I've also had a Cadbury Orange Creme Egg too, never saw those in Britain...
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 13:32:00
United KingdomAnother stupid question...
Knightsbridge Doctor's own website:
http://www.visamedicals.info/us.asp

Incidentally, the number given on their website is different. I suspect both numbers will work just fine but for completeness, the number specified on the USA section of their site is 020 7486 7822
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-15 21:31:00
United KingdomPlay Station 3
QUOTE (darkequitus @ Apr 16 2009, 02:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Modern TV's these days done have a problem accepting PAL or NTSC

Beware, this is true of European tellys but not so true of US TVs. My wife's relatively new US tv would accept a PAL60 signal but NOT a bog-standard PAL50 signal no matter what. Check the frequency of the PS3's output - it's almost certainly 60Hz but if it's 50Hz, you may have problems...

Also remember there's no SCART over here, you may need to use a composite cable (the one with white, red and yellow cables) or RGB (red, green and blue for video with the white and red for audio).
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-18 19:42:00
United KingdomBrits, the original illegal aliens
QUOTE (KnightAndMagpie @ Apr 19 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh bum. There's only one I can find on YouTube and that one's the unavailable one... crying.gif the intertron hates this country! Waaah!

I found another copy of it, here:
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-19 12:33:00
United KingdomBrits, the original illegal aliens
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Apr 17 2009, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Cant waitch it Nich says it is not available in my domain/country typical

Try this: Youtube link

I've seen it before and it's still good for a laugh smile.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-17 13:40:00
United KingdomCar Insurance
I had good experience being added to my wife's insurance with Geico in GA. I grimaced when they said "of course, this is going to increase your premium" but the difference was really very small. The premium is paid 4 months out of 6 (when it then renews) and it went from about $63/month to $79 (total annual premium went up from $504 to $632) which was much less than I expected and I am a new driver (never drove in Britain).

Part of the increase was wiped out by a reduction in my wife's premium. Apparently being married makes you less of an insurance risk blink.gif

[edit to add] I'm also a young (<26), new driver...

Edited by JeremyR, 17 April 2009 - 01:47 PM.

JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-17 13:46:00
United KingdomBirth Certificates
QUOTE (colinjess @ Apr 29 2009, 06:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
http://www.gro.gov.u...sp#ShortAndFull this is the website i used!cost £10 got it in about 10 days !!

good.gif Yep, get it direct from the GRO, don't pay the middle-men trying to pilfer 25 quid out of you.

Make sure you order the 'long-form' certificate!
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-29 10:25:00
United KingdomFamous people you have seen in the US Embassy in London
I was so blummin nervous, I didn't even look at the guy sat next to me, let alone around the room looking for celebs laughing.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-29 10:20:00
United KingdomIs this possible?
QUOTE (*julez* @ Apr 29 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband's packet was delivered to his father without incident.

Interesting. I was asked for ID... As far as I know, SMS' delivery network is made up of private contract couriers (i.e. not direct SMS employees) so maybe it depends on the policy of their local delivery agent too...
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-29 11:55:00
United KingdomIs this possible?
QUOTE (MARM @ Apr 29 2009, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
*His friends receive his brown envelope and passport at home from the SMS courier service on his behalf.

I think this is your sticking point. SMS require ID from the addressee before they hand over the package...
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-29 11:37:00
United KingdomFor those who have made the move from UK to US
The only people I told were the Dept. of Work and Pensions because they were paying me some benefits at the time. Ironically, I actually found it very difficult to get them to stop paying me, even though I told them several times on the phone and in writing that I was now ineligible to receive them rolleyes.gif

Anyway, other people that might need to be told depending on circumstances might include the HMRC (tax people) if he's responsible for filing his own taxes. If he has a student loan, the Student Loans Company when he starts working in the USA (since he will still be liable to repay, even outside the country). Life insurance/pension companies perhaps?

Basically organisations who he still wants/needs to do business with once he's left, and organisations that might expect to hear from him in the future him but won't because he's not in Britain...

Edited by JeremyR, 01 May 2009 - 03:20 PM.

JeremyRMaleEngland2009-05-01 15:20:00
United KingdomRegistering your marriage with the UK GRO
QUOTE
I struggle to think of a reason why it would be needed

Which pretty much mirrors my thoughts. I just stumbled over that and thought that I know some countries like to know what their citizens are doing overseas but it's none of their bloody business laughing.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-30 13:59:00
United KingdomRegistering your marriage with the UK GRO
The British Embassy says that you can "deposit your US Marriage/Civil partnership certificate with the General Register’s Office in the United Kingdom" via the consulate in DC.

Has anyone ever done this? Is there really any purpose or point beyond what it says about the GRO subsequently being able to issue certified copies once the original is deposited? Surely if ever I need to prove my marital status in the UK, our marriage certificate is enough, whether the GRO knows about it or not?

I don't have any tax liabilities in Britain, or anything similar that may be affected by the change in my marital status...

Further, it says you must submit a copy of your spouse's passport ID page. What if your spouse doesn't have a passport?
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-30 13:30:00
United KingdomCitizenship and Country on i-129 and g-325
QUOTE (Marty J @ May 7 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great Britain isn't a country, not that it really matters.

No, of course, if you want to be absolutely 100% correct, you should write United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland but I'd like to see anyone fit that in the space on the form wink.gif

"British Citizen" is what's in the passport though, so that's what I wrote. Thinking about it, I'm not certain whether I put 'Great' or not. Like you said, it's probably moot though, there's so many countries with alternative or unofficial names and when you finally get the GC (and EAD) it says 'United Kingdom' under 'Country of Birth', so I guess they just resolve all names from that geographic area to UK, no matter what the petitioner/applicant writes.


JeremyRMaleEngland2009-05-07 20:09:00
United KingdomCitizenship and Country on i-129 and g-325
I wrote "Great Britain" as my country of citizenship on all forms since that's what my passport says.

Country of residence is either England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as appropriate.



JeremyRMaleEngland2009-05-07 13:33:00
United Kingdompassport photos
QUOTE (MARM @ May 12 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
and then for AOS I believe it is 6 for your fiance (AOS, EAD, AP ; 2+2+2= 6)

Oh yes, I forgot about that bit laughing.gif but it's probably better to get them done later on, as I mentioned, the instructions say "taken in the last 30 days".
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-05-12 12:35:00
United Kingdompassport photos
Off the top of my head, 5 for the beneficiary and 2 for the petitioner:

Beneficiary:
- Two for the petition (1 for the I-129F, one for the Bio forms, I think).
- One for the medical (just a UK standard passport pic is fine for that).
- Two for the visa interview (there are several places near the embassy that do US passport photos, the embassy gives details in one of the packets).

Petitioner:
- Two for the petition (same as beneficiary)

All 'US style' except the UK medical exam photo, which doesn't matter. One more thing, the instructions always state that the photos should be either "recent" or in some cases "less than 30 days old" so don't go out and get all the photos you need now, get them closer to the time.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-05-12 12:32:00
United KingdomA quick food recommendation
QUOTE (mr and mrs @ Apr 14 2009, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
also, i think the EU requires MSG to be labeled as E612 which is a lot more specific than the ridiculously vague 'natural flavorings' that MSG is labeled under in the US. i know its not medically proven, but things with MSG tend to make me feel a bit ill, so i try to avoid them. it was easier to do in the uk.

I researched this a bit (because my body and MSG don't exactly get along well together either) and I found this from the USDA:

QUOTE
How will I know if there is monosodium glutamate (MSG) in a processed meat or poultry product?
MSG is classified as a flavor enhancer by Federal regulation. When it is added to a product, it must be identified as "monosodium glutamate" on the label.
[Link].

And this: from the FDA:
QUOTE
Under current FDA regulations, when MSG is added to a food, it must be identified as "monosodium glutamate" in the label's ingredient list. Each ingredient used to make a food must be declared by its name in this list.

While technically MSG is only one of several forms of free glutamate used in foods, consumers frequently use the term MSG to mean all free glutamate. For this reason, FDA considers foods whose labels say "No MSG" or "No Added MSG" to be misleading if the food contains ingredients that are sources of free glutamates, such as hydrolyzed protein.
[Link]

Bottom line is that MSG shouldn't ever be listed as the ubiquitous 'natural flavor'.

I'm also gluten intolerant, which is easy-peasy in the UK because everyone writes 'gluten free' near the ingredients panel on stuff that is but over here not so many do, so I spend half my time in the supermarket reading labels rolleyes.gif. Also, some things that are 'red flag ingredients' for me in Britain are fine for me in the USA unsure.gif and vice-versa so I sympathise with trying to get used to the different conventions and verbiage - been there, done that, got the T-shirt smile.gif

My sister is a vege and is probably coming over here nice and soon biggrin.gif. I'll be honest, I'm dreading how we're gonna feed her for a week or two. Sometimes it seems like if you say somebody is a vegetarian here in the Deep South, people look at you like you've got a two heads laughing.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-14 23:11:00
United KingdomA quick food recommendation
QUOTE
QUOTE
It has to be Hellmann's (or Best Foods now that we live in Cali) or it is not allowed on any food item.


Couldn't agree more, maven.

It says "The REAL Mayonnaise" on the tub for a reason biggrin.gif
I might go stick some chips in the oven and dip 'em in Hellmanns for me lunch. How very European of me laughing.gif

Salad Creme (and Miracle Whip) is the spawn of the devil. Vile stuff...
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 13:19:00
United KingdomA quick food recommendation
QUOTE (Damian P @ Apr 13 2009, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Way ahead of ya Shaz - I am married!! We did it at the local county courthouse this morning - in and out in 20 minutes!! 'Er indoors has to work tomorrow, so it's just another day really. wink.gif

Congratulations kicking.gif
Feels good, doesn't it? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:



Back on topic, three words: Scattered, smothered and covered. 'Nuff said! (oh, alright, chunked and capped too biggrin.gif)
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 12:49:00
United KingdomA quick food recommendation
QUOTE (Welshcookie @ Apr 13 2009, 07:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And I agree about the "country style ribs" good.gif

Mmmmmm country style ribs, cooked out on the back porch over charcoal... Delicious <Homer drool>... Even better if you can get the boneless ones.

Also damn good is mashed potatoes with the skins on, with black pepper, sour cream and Philly cheese. I'd never have thought of that in a million years back home but damn it's good biggrin.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-13 10:33:00
United KingdomA quick food recommendation
QUOTE (Marty J @ Apr 7 2009, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh, and I forgot to mention, Walmart sell Twinings English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast tea, which are the best cups of tea I was able to find.

"It's Twinings, Jim, but not as we know it" laughing.gif

Seriously, those bags have roughly enough leaves to turn about a shot-glass of water into a decent brew... Check your local Whole Foods if you have one for over-priced but genuine Yorkshire Tea, PG Tips and Tetley (don't trust that 'British Blend' Tetley you see in Walmart either).

As for kettles, get a whistling metal one for the cooker. We tried an electric kettle but there just ain't enough juice in the mains to boil water quickly. It takes about 4 or 5 minutes to bring half a kettle to the boil wacko.gif yet the cooker-top kettle boils the same amount in about 3 minutes (dependant on your cooker, I suppose). Plus you get that quaint whistle when it boils laughing.gif we got ours in a charity shop thrift store for I think about 3 bucks biggrin.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-04-10 12:18:00
United KingdomChildren, dual citizenship and what to do...
QUOTE (Damian P @ Apr 21 2009, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I intend to legally adopt 'er indoors' youngest. Once I've done that, does she then become eligible for a British passport just as she would if I was her biological father?

Hmmm. That's something we're considering as well so I too would like to know the answer to this if anybody has previous experience. I *think* the situation is that with a valid adoption decree, the British embassy can issue a passport to the child but I'm not sure if that's complicated by age, intent to remain in the USA, etc...

I'd be interested to know if anyone's done this.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-02 23:30:00
United KingdomDual Citizenship
I'm sure it will be ironed out before the system goes live but this is an interesting read for anyone considering dual UK-US citizenship:
http://www.telegraph...ationality.html
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-03 17:34:00
United KingdomCurrency Allowance
Honestly, I wouldn't carry that much cash around an airport with me in a million years. Much safer to wire transfer it to the US... I don't know what the transfer limits of companies like Western Union are but any British bank should be more than willing to help with a transfer of that kind of size to the USA. There will be a fee, of course but it's probably worth it from a security point of view. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable with a huge wedge of cash in my carry on baggage.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-03 17:27:00
United KingdomGeneral Elections
Since it's starting to look like Britain's going to be having one in the really not too distant future, I started looking into what is allowed and what the requirements are for a casting a vote from overseas.

According to DirectGov, any British citizen abroad can vote for up to 15 years after they were last on the electoral role in the UK but realistically, you must vote by proxy and your application must be counter-signed by a second British citizen living abroad which seems a bit of a pain in the butt if you don't know another over here well enough to ask them to do that... Then of course there's the matter of finding someone to vote on your behalf back home - it all seems over complicated, almost designed to make overseas voting a little less attractive.

Has anyone ever gone to the hassle of setting all this up and voting by proxy? Do you consider that it was worth it? I've never not voted in an election I'm eligible for (except last week's Euro poll) and would like to keep that record up but the rules do seem to be a hindrance.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-08 09:32:00
United KingdomI see that TOSSER Bob Crowe is at it again
QUOTE (Damian P @ Jun 9 2009, 09:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bearing in mind that a rank and file firefighter, whose life is in more real and constant danger every time he attends a call, earns half that, Jeremy? Yes, mate. I think I would. Care to comment on the 9 weeks' annual leave? And the fact they don't have to work nights? whistling.gif

Your argument falls down when you assume I don't think that firefighters, nurses, police officers should earn considerably more than they do wink.gif Of course they deserve a much better salary, leave allowances and conditions than they currently receive, given the amount of sh*t and danger they deal with on a day-by-day basis.

QUOTE
At least we agree on something

That we do. The rail unions are way too powerful. This strike shouldn't be happening and isn't justified IMO.

QUOTE
it would never cease to amaze me as the trains pulled in, the sight of these "highly skilled professionals" feet up, drinking vessel in hand, a la Homer Simpson, sitting on their worthless fat arses doing f*uck all as their very clever train did it all for them.

Hmm are we talking Central Line or Victoria Line here, per chance? Currently the only "very clever", 'self-driving' (ATO) trains on LU's network are found on those lines (although the Northern is heading that way in the near future, I believe). I could be wrong but I believe ATO operators earn less than manual line drivers precisely because their job is somewhat less skilled.

QUOTE
(which is why it takes months, or even years to complete the training for those jobs - a chimpanzee could be trained to drive a tube train in a day)

9 months to a year actually wink.gif It's a much more complicated job than you might ever imagine.

QUOTE
[No mate, firefighters, nurses, and police officers are highly skilled professionals] that have to deal with a lot more ####### for a lot less money, and far, far inferior working conditions.

Something else we agree upon is the salaries of public sector emergency service personnel in the UK are very, very poor (although I believe the police do a bit better than others?). Just because some workers get a bum deal (to use an Americanism tongue.gif) doesn't mean that those who don't should be brought down to that level.

Privatisation was predominantly responsible for raising the salaries of mainline train drivers across the country. One reason being that it created a 'market' for drivers where the different companies have to compete by offering the best conditions to attract employees. Private sector workers are always better paid than their public sector counterparts. We could easily rectify that by privatising the police, fire and ambulance services, nursing and teaching but something tells me that wouldn't go down too well. Their salaries would go up though yes.gif. LUL, whilst public sector, must keep their salary offering in line with other rail operators or they wouldn't be able to attract staff either.

Anyway, I'm not going to get into a long debate about the ins and outs of tube driver's salary and conditions. I just wanted to counter a few points. Don't believe everything you read in the Evening Standard smile.gif Bob Crow is still a to**er though laughing.gif
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-09 23:07:00
United KingdomI see that TOSSER Bob Crowe is at it again
Would you take a job where you're personally responsible for the safety of hundreds people and for controlling a fast-moving hunk of metal that weighs around 300 tonnes for a salary much less than that? I know I wouldn't. I totally agree that the Crow is a to**er and I agree that the union have a bloody cheek asking for 5% when there's already an increase on the table but the driver's are far from unskilled workers and carry a lot of responsibility. Like all highly skilled professionals, they have the power to command a high salary. They're not overpaid in my opinion.

Edited by JeremyR, 09 June 2009 - 06:02 PM.

JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-09 18:00:00
United Kingdomk-1 gone wrong...help?
Try this to reassure you:
http://www.usembassy...isa_wizard.html

On the matter of visas, it doesn't ask if you have entered with a visa before, only if you've been denied one or if you have previously overstayed. If the answer to both is no, you should be fine (subject to the usual public health rules, etc). I suppose it's probable that the CBP officer will see your old visa in your passport (they're eagle eyed to say the least) and that you may be asked some questions about why you left and to make sure you're not going back to your past petitioner with the intent of staying. So you should probably be ready to be asked about that but in itself, having previously entered and left under a visa does not prevent you using the VWP subsequently.
JeremyRMaleEngland2009-06-09 18:14:00