Help (at the airport .....!!!!)

mickeyforpresident

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2008

• Jul 29, 2015

• #1

Hi. So we are at the airport ahead of our flight tomorrow. Tried online check in - four times - each time it says we don't have Estas. I have a screen shot of esta confirmation on my iPad. Very stressed! So went to terminal where the nice lady at the VA customer service desk said that it looked like I didn't have an Esta (DW and 2xDS have) but then was able to track down my approved esta using my screenshot... She started talking about having to involve US immigration!!! Any suggestions?!?! Just know that I'm not going to sleep tonight!!!!

 

Tony Toon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 30, 2004

• Jul 29, 2015

• #2

Can't believe how stressful this must be!!!!! Sorry I don't have any helpful suggestions. Just sending my best wishes for a speedy positive conclusion. All my fingers and toes are double crossed for you. Do let us know how you get on.

Mrs TT

 

Pooh's-Honey-Pot

DVC owner since 2020 - VGF, BLT and SSR

Joined

May 31, 2007

• Jul 29, 2015

• #3

I didn't know you had to show the ESTA when checking in online, I thought that it was just a thing for Customs once you land . . .now I'm stressed as I don't know my number!!!

Hope you get sorted

 

micksn

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 23, 2010

• Jul 29, 2015

• #4

Oh dear! Better to find out and have it looked at this side of the atlantic! If she's been able to find it I'm sure it will be fine, it just shows it's worth bringing hard evidence; screen shot or print out. Good luck - you'll be enjoying yourselves at dis soon

 

mickeyforpresident

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2008

• Jul 29, 2015

• #5

Update: spoke on online chat with Virgin. The ever so helpful Dan assured me not to worry and sometimes their system doesn't pick up the estas and that as long as we have them (we do... I even went back into the esta system and retrieved our group booking - still showing as authorised) they will sort this out at checkin. Discovered that checkin opens at 630 in Manchester so going to try and get first in queue and then go back to Radisson for breakfast... Will let you know how we get on...

 

LiquidSunshine

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 21, 2013

• Jul 29, 2015

• #6

Hopefully you are sorted out at check-in, but at least your group application is traceable and is showing as authorised.

Good luck!

 

dixonsontour

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 14, 2008

• Jul 29, 2015

• #7

Hopefully you are there and it is a distant memory - but how stressful

 

scoobydooby

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 4, 2007

• Jul 29, 2015

• #8

Oh no poor you that is stressful. I'm sure it will be okay and they will trace it but I feel your stress. I suggest wine. Lots of wine.......

 

Elise79

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 17, 2006

• Jul 29, 2015

• #9

Just check your passport number on your API and ESTA are correctly entered - any mismatch could cause an issue.

Other than that just relax - they will sort it

 

stitchfan75

Custom Tea Maker to the Mad Hatter

Joined

Jun 27, 2012

• Jul 29, 2015

• #10

@TheLittleKatie
I tagged a boarder I know flies out of Manchester and she's mentioned ESTA before...and they always fly Virgin so maybe she can help out. Though i know she's busy so I don't know if she will see it before tomorrow!

 

mickeyforpresident

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2008

• Jul 30, 2015

• #11

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the helpful messages. Just to let you know that we got through checkin with no issues at all... Estas weren't even mentioned at the desk. All is well. Currently enjoying a nice coffee post security. Oh.... Fast track security - def worth it!!!

Thanks again.

 

catherine

<font color=red>Hey not fair, you guys already hav

Joined

Aug 27, 2000

• Jul 30, 2015

• #12

So glad that everything went smoothly for you! Have a safe flight and a magical vacation!

 

BagOLaughs

Well I ain't evil, I'm just good looking

Joined

May 29, 2015

• Jul 30, 2015

• #13

What a stress for you! I'm glad everything got sorted out though.

ESTA's, as you might have guessed, are completely electronic so there is a big database out there somewhere with everyone's details stored on which Virgin's systems can access and check.

However as Elise79 said sometimes there is a mismatch and the systems just throw up an error. So a person has to go into said database and have a poke around...

Can't trust these computers I swear

 

wayneg

Moderator

Moderator

Joined

Jul 24, 2003

• Jul 30, 2015

• #14

Glad you have got thru OK. Never had a problem at this end but did arrive at US Immigration once to be told they could only find my ESTA, no record of DS or DW. Thankfully I had a print out of them all. He said I had just saved him and us a whole lot of hassle. I always take print outs of them now.

 

K

kevin_cambs_uk

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jan 3, 2003

• Jul 30, 2015

• #15

Fantastic! Looking forward to the trip report from the Contemporary!