Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

My friend and I have found tickets to Seoul that we'd like to buy but we aren't sure when to do it. In the package I got with my EPIK contract one paper says to buy it when you've applied for your visa, and another said to wait until you have your visa back from the consulate. We are sending out papers to the consulate on Monday.

When did all of you buy your tickets? Did you wait until you got your visa back, or do you never get denied visas once you have a contract in hand?

[alphakennyone]

i know you want to save money by buying early (me too), but anything and everything can and will happen in this game.

Wait until you have your passport and visa in hand. That's the problem with the "airfare reimbursement" system (as opposed to flights paid directly by the employer). The teachers are the ones who have to front the last minute higher costs...and who tends to rush you but then does everything slow and half assed? The schools and recruiters.

[cruisemonkey]

Wow... Cowgirl, you are naive. People have arrived in K-land only to told they are not what the owner/principal expected... "OMG you're black/fat/ugly... I'm not paying for your ticket here" (or back).

Ks have no sense of honour - only 'face'. You are as disposable as the garbage.

Never come to K-land unless they pay 'up front'... or you're renewing a PS contract.

[winterfall]

[Chambertin]

Do not buy your ticket before you are with valid visa in hand.

The school pays you back, sure it takes a little bit. If you are worried about price then don�t book through a US carrier. Most Asian airline websites or Asian travel sites I have been watching haven�t changed their price in two months.
Roughly 1,050 USD to Incheon through Korean Air is about as consistent as it gets.

If you do buy it now and something changes, or at worst the school drops you there is a chance to save maybe a hundred dollars. It�s not worth it to buy in advance. If you want to book now and pay later then do that, but don�t pay until that visa is in your hand.

[cruisemonkey]

I can't help but be 'inspiring' after I've seen the number of people (I've seen) burnt by Ks. If you haven't been... it's only a matter of time.

[winterfall]

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

[Chambertin]

You pay for what you get.

Roll in the fees you pay for drinks, headphones, emergency row, window, luggage, and the rest of the crap they charge you and tell me you won�t fly a major Asian airline over anyone else.

I remember when United allowed two heavy bags, a carry on, a day bag, and free drinks. This was three years ago. Now you have to beg them to allow you sit in the seat you reserved because the rest of the customers don�t mind paying the extra fees.

I flew on Northwest to Japan two years ago for work. It was a paid ticket. They tried to charge me 15$ per leg to sit in the exit row. Charged me 50$ per bag because it was overweight. They pulled the same going back, and I was also stuck in Chicago for nearly a day due to scheduling f'ups. It was so bad that the plane which never docked at the terminal was shown to have left on time for 5 hours after it never showed. Eventually they changed it after I showed the main office a photo of the teleprompter.

They also decided to shut down all phone lines and pull all workers out of the terminal rather than try to fix the situation.
Go go bailout money.

I paid more out of pocket than the difference would have been to upgrade to a real airline.

That being said I am curious as to the conditoins for the 700$ tickets. I'm willing to bet its not worth the risk considering none of us will end up paying for the ticket.

[alphakennyone]

I'm seeing Singapore air from San Diego to Seoul one way for $700 and Korean Air for 650.

VERY tempted to try out Singapore Air, but I'll wait til I've got my visa.