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Author Topic: Just returned from Ukraine and Cyprus  (Read 3674 times)
Philb
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« on: May 31, 2004, 04:00:00 AM »

[This message has been edited by Philb]

A few observations.

This was my fourth and fifth times entering and leaving Ukraine.  In the past I had always filled out the immigration card and customs forms and just walked through.  Not this time.

During both entries I was questioned in regards to the purpose of my trip and was asked for the actual names of whom I was going to be visiting.  Upon exiting Ukraine I was taken into a room and had my bags searched.

The customs and immigration agents were all polite about this (even downright friendly).  No one ever asked for any money or attempted to take anything from me.  I even had a couple of items they probably could have given me  trouble over if they had wanted to (a few old Greek and Roman coins and a few contemporary hand painted icons).

I don't know if I was just lucky in the past or if this signals a bit of a change.  The only thing I had done differently in regards to my entry and exits is that I was using a multiple entry visa this time.  

Aerosvit airlines.  My advice in a nutshell is beware.  I used them to fly from Kiev to Larnaca.  I bought my tickets through the ticket office in NYC and had them Fedexed to my home.  I was told that I would be emailed if there was any schedule changes.

I was suppused to leave Kiev on a 0715 flight.  I had called the airport and checked my email the evening before in regards to my flight status.  Everything was OK.  When I arrived at the airport in the morning the flight was canceled.  They had reticketed my for a flight leaving at 1330 later that day.  I politely mentioned to the ticketing agent that I was supposed to be notified of any schedule changes and that I had called the airport less then 24 hours before to check on my flight status.  Her response was that it was my problem for purchasing my tickets directly from Aerosvit and not using a travel agency.  She also told me that if I wanted a refund they would not be able to give me one and that this could only be done through the office which issued the ticket.

When I got on the 1330 flight there was a grand total of 12 passengers.  The plane was a Boeing 727 that was a bit long in the tooth.  My assumption from all of this is that Aerosvit still cancels flights when they do not sell enough tickets (at least on flights originating in Ukraine).

Cyprus itself is a kick.  Much of it has been ruined by excessive tourism,  while in other parts the impact is minimal.  The beaches in or near to the larger towns and cities are always packed and over developed.  Paradoxically I could drive out of town about 10 or 15 miles, hit the beach and not see more than a couple of other people.  Sadly, in a few years I think much of this will also be gone.

Also, I think that getting the girl you are seeing out of her own environment is useful.  You get to see how they react outside of there comfort zone.  I think that this is just as useful and important as seeing them in their home environment and is something more guys should do.  It gives you a bit of an idea on how they will react if you bring them to the US.

Lufthansa airlines.  Unfortunately they were no better than Aerosvit.  I was booked on United into Munich and from there on Lufthansa into Kiev (opposite on the return).  Both arriving and departing Lufthansa cancelled the Munich/Kiev leg. Coming in I was rerouted through Frankfurt. On departure the cancellation was not done until a couple of hours before take off.

Lufthansa's agents in Kiev were of no help.  They delivered the typical level of service you often find in the FSU.  I was told that the flight had been canceled by the Ukrainian government and that it was not their problem instead it was my problem.  There was an 0800 flight leaving for Frankfurt, but they refused to reticket until after this flight had departed. Instead they put me on the 1400 flight to Frankfurt.  Then they told me I would have to spend the night in Frankfurt and that they could reserve a hotel for me for 120 EUR.  

I knew there was a flight leaving Frankfurt for Washington IAD on United that I would have time to make.  They refused to ticket me for this because it "was a United Flight".  Fine, I took the flight to Frankfurt and as soon as I got there I hit the United desk ready to raise heck if necessary (I had been dealing with FSU style service for too long).  Instead the United people were helpfule to the extreme they got me on the flight to Washington and from there to Denver.  I would arrive in Denver to late to catch the last flight to Casper so United said they would pay for and reserve a hotel room for me along with a couple of meal vouchers.  This is something the Lufthansa people in Kiev wouldn't or couldn't do for me.  I plan on firing off a letter to Lufthansa about all of this not that it will do any good.

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John K
Guest
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2004, 04:00:00 AM »

... in response to Just returned from Ukraine and Cyprus, posted by Philb on May 31, 2004

I had major headaches with Lufthansa in '99 (my first trip over to Ukraine).  While the situation was out of their control, due to delays and reroutes from the weather, they still screwed me over pretty hard.  Only through the grace of God, me constantly asking questions and verifying what people said, and running across the Frankfurt airport several times from end to end, was I able to just barely catch a flight to Prague.  From there, I caught an Air Ukraine flight to Kiev.  I ended up arriving 10 hours late.  My luggage came 2 days later.

Luckily, Marina, my travel agent and a driver were waiting for me, despite my way late arrival.  Given I hadn't met Marina yet, and with her coming from out of town to meet me, I was a bit overwhelmed to find her still out there waiting for me.  Now, 5 years later, Marina and I will celebrate our 4th anniversary in September.  I guess not only some good things are worth waiting for, but some good things (and people) will wait for you too.  :-)

Incidently, due to my very poor experience with Lufthansa customer service, I've never used them since.  Ever since, we've alway flown through LOT Polish.  The only down side to them is you either have a several hour layover in Warsaw, or you are practically running through the airport to catch your next plane (luckily the airport only has 12 gates).

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RickM
Guest
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2004, 04:00:00 AM »

... in response to Just returned from Ukraine and Cyprus, posted by Philb on May 31, 2004

Thanks for the report Phil...
Gee,sounds a little nightmarish...
Seems always the summer traveling through FSU is "more" of an adventure than winter travels(which can equally be a nighmare Smiley)

I think personally,there are so few seats available in summer because of so many more travelers than winter that if they sell out extras for bigger bucks then the origional lesser fares get bumped out with the same old excuse you mentioned,"we can't do anything because we didn't sell you the tickets"...

Anotherwards,if "they" don't make the bucks on you personally,you,are a second-class passenger...

Another reality I think...The US dollar does not have as much clout as the Euro anymore and I think this is proof when you mention things like your experience...I don't suspect future times are going to improve any...

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Jack
Guest
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2004, 04:00:00 AM »

... in response to Just returned from Ukraine and Cyprus, posted by Philb on May 31, 2004

Phil, got caught in the same Lufthana/Ukraine Int. flight situation myself.  Flight to Munich was cancelled. Did you hear why?

Evidently Germany cancelled a few flights into Ukraine. This did not set well with some Ukraine officials who told Ukraine International to cancel two flights into Munich, on the 25th and 26th. This was suppose to be enough tit for tat between Ukraine and Germany we thought, but the 27th flight was also cancelled.

Many people were just pawns as these two goverments got pissed at each other.

Like you when I got to Frankfurt I went to there customer service department and raised a little heck, where they purchased me a ticket thru American Airlines to get me into Dallas.

My letter to Lufthansa is going off next week. Want to compare notes? When were you notified of the cancellation? Lufthansa had my home and work numbers, did anyone call to notify me of the flight being cancelled after they knew the flights were being cancelled? How long did you have to stand in line to get re-booked?

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Philb
Guest
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2004, 04:00:00 AM »

... in response to Re: Just returned from Ukraine and Cypru..., posted by Jack on May 31, 2004

I waited in the line to get re-ticket for over 3 hours.  There were two people working at the ticket window while the two girls who work at the check in counter (along with the local manager stood and watched).  I spoke to the manager and told him that instead of standing and watching they could have given us numbers, had us sit in the lounge and called us to the window one at a time to re-ticket us.  This got the typical FSU response (a blank stare).

I was not notified of the cancellation until I arrived at the airport (nor was anyone else).  

I was just told that the flight had been cancelled by the government nothing else.  I've got to believe there was money involved though.  Maybe someone was behind in paying their gate fees, or a new tax was levied and someone balked at paying it.  Who knows.

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