Korean Job Discussion Forums

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I have a question for all of you out there.

I have recently hired a teacher from Canada, Winnipeg to be precise. All of the E2 Visa requirements were taken care of prior to his departure. I purchased a one way ticket for him. Upon arrival at the check-in counter, the attendant said that he required a return ticket. He said that she was incorrect as he already had a working visa stamped in his passport. The long and short of it was, they would not allow him on the plane until he purchased a $1700 dollar ticket (which is refundable, but not the issue). I have hired many teachers in the past, and this is the first I have heard about this.

Bottom line is, I would like to garner information on this topic, and write a nasty letter to the Evil Monopolising Air Canada vultures. If their service were remotely good, I would consider over-seeing this. But I have had numerous bad encounters with them, as have many friends.

Any advice would be appreciated.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I had the same thing happen to me and I've had friends who have had this happen to them as well.

Use Japan Air Lines next time. It's cheaper and the service is

WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better. Cool

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Air Canada sucks! They dont know their ass from a hole in the ground.

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

When I first departed Canada for Korea, I had my E-2 stamped in my passport before I departed. I was told the same thing -- that I could not go unless I had a return ticket. I didn't exactly handle the situation very politely, and despite the fact that my father didn't want me to leave, he also went a bit nuts on the Air Canada staff for them being so stupid.

In total, it took about a dozen A/C staff people about 45 minutes to finally let me check in and issue me a boarding pass.

While I can understand both the desire and need for airlines to be aware of visa requirements, and to adhere to them for their own protection, A/C is the only airline that doesn't seem to be reasonable and realistic in the application of this.

For instance, when I checked in once for a flight departing from Manchester, the desk rep said to the girl beside her "How many days to Canadians get on an upon-arrival tourist visa?" Her co-worker replied with "180 days." She turned to me and said "How long to do you plan on staying?" I said "178 days." She said, "That's good enough for me...." and let me through. Far cry from A/C's policy.

neandergirl · Joined: 23 Jun 2005

The only airline that's ever asked about/mentioned the visa thing to me was Cathay Pacific. They had an idea that a visa for Korea was good for 2 weeks and that my 35 day ticket would potentially permit me to overstay. After some discussion they gave me a form to sign saying they'd warned me and they were not responsible if I over stayed.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I flew Lufthansa once from the UK to Korea and they questioned my lack of a visa... I said I can stay here for up to 3 months without a visa but they were sceptical... in the end they let me go but it took a while.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

The biggest questioning I've ever had has actually been going into New Zealand despite holding a residents permit and being a kiwi. I had to wait for 20 minutes while they cleared my paperwork with the new zealand authorities in Seoul and Johannesburg.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Trying to leave Korea for Canada on a visa run was "fun". My last E2 visa had yet to expired. My school, instead of getting the last E2 transferred, simply got me a whole new one. Anyway, the Korean national manning the Northwest counter was like "no no you need a re-entry visa. Go to immigration and get one and then come back." "But I'm going to Canada to get a whole new E2 visa. I don't need a re-entry visa." "You need to get a re-entry visa..." "I don't think so. I'm getting a whole NEW visa. See this visa in my passport? They're putting a new one on a new page." "You need to get a re-entry Visa..." Finally he started jabbering in Korean to his supervisor who explained the deal to him.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I loathe Air Canada!!!! It is a prime example of what happens when government interferes in crap they shouldn't be interfering in!

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Air Canada might have the suck for service but its one of the safest airlines in the world. Plus I fly cheap on it since I get family discount Smile

W00t.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Homer · Guest

Yes wrench on AC you will be subject to horrible service, nasty air crew but you will be safe..... Laughing

Also, since AC hasn't had a crash, laws of probability says they are due up for one...so you might get horrible service, bad food, bad attitude and all during a crash!

Fly Ac all ya want! Laughing

On a more serious note, the last two times we flew to Canada we used Northwest and the service in-flight was heads above AC. It's no frills but the air crew was kind, helpful and they actually smiled. Also to mention is that the price was much lower than AC.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

My Northwest flight was just terrible. I still prefer AC, to be honest with you I never had bad service with AC, I prefer West Jet in Canada.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

The government has nothing to do with AC anymore, it was privatised years ago!

Yup surly staff, cramped seating, no frills, high prices.....no wonder they are having trouble staying afloat when other airlines give more for less.