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I am wondering how VIP service at the Borispol, Kyiv airport can be arranged, and who at the airport is contacted?

Steve

... in response to VIP service at Borispol, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

As I can see his face from here getting bright red full of anger.  My on the other hand flew to Kiev without a hitch.

Memphis, Amsterdam, Kiev.....  A Hop, skip and a jump.

No problemo, man.

... in response to VIP service at Borispol, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

Coming out of Borsypol is a hassle.  If I had to do it again I would use VIP service out.  Coming in is no problem.

... in response to Re: VIP service at Borispol, posted by Bobby Orr on Apr 3, 2002

You must have never "lost" your bags.

Once my bag (only one of the two, go figure) got "lost" during transfer in Moscow. Luckily I had used the VIP service and they had an Aeroflot person, who spoke English, there in fifteen minutes to take a report. Of course that fifteen minutes seemed like hours because my beloved was only meters away behind a door that I could not go through until I had gone through Customs. Aeroflot delivered my bags to my flat the next day.

Another time I was not so fortunate. My flight into SVO was 4 1/2 hours late so I missed my connection to Kyiv. The next day I missed my flight because the idiots at Aeroflot insisted that my transit visa would still be good and therefore refused to go get it extended. Thus my bags arrived the day before I did and were locked up in Customs. By the time I cleared passport control it was after five and Customs (at least the department where they had my bags) was closed. I'm sure if I had used the VIP service that I would have gotten my bags as soon as I arrived at Terminal 3, no problem. As it was I had to get someone to drive me back to KBP the next day only to be told that they were closed for lunch and to come back in an hour and a half (nice lunch break, eh?). A $10 bribe got that lunch break shortened to ten minutes. Even then it was a major hassle and required that my bags be searched and another $20 import duties be paid. I sure didn't save any time or money on that deal.

... in response to Coming in is no problem?, posted by Rags on Apr 3, 2002

Yes, I have been lucky in that I haven't had to deal with lost luggage in a long time. However, I learned the hard way to carry a couple of changes of clothes in my carry on luggage the hard way.  Also, bring your medication with you in your carry on bag.

... in response to Re: Coming in is no problem?, posted by Richard on Apr 4, 2002

Sorry, "NO CARRY ON LUGGAGE" is what the sign said at the Aeroflop counter.

Being the law abiding guy that I am, I untaped my luggage and stuffed all that into my already overstuffed suitcase.

I walk down to the departure gate only to notice people (mostly Russian) waiting there with some not just big, but monsterous, carry on bags.

Being the seasoned FSU/Aeroflop traveller, I just shrug my sholders and grin. It turns out that later I would look back on that grin and want to punch a hole in the wall of the hotel that I was staying in. You see that each and every on of those bags had to be searched, item by item delaying us about thirty minutes. The same thing in Seattle.

My flight was four and a half hours late getting into Moscow. The layover to catch my flight to Kyiv was also four and a half hours. Maybe the extra hour would still not have been enough for me to catch my flight to where my Love was waiting for me but that night I could not think of anything but those inconsiderate SOBs.

Maybe if I had known that I would be spending the next night in that same hotel also because Aeroflop screwwed up my transit visa I would not have been so angry with those people. NOT! Some cultural differences are a little hard to swallow.

... in response to Re: Carry on luggage, posted by Rags on Apr 4, 2002

I am not so sure they are cultural, as much as they are polictical. Banks and Airport bureaucracies still operate on the old communist system, or at least mentality. Sometimes it is hard to understand how they advance economically, but then you look at the situation, and the only advances are by entrepeneurs and by way of natural resources.

Steve

... in response to Re: Re: Culture or politics?, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

I was referring to the fact that new flight rules were posted on large signs at each ticket counter: "NO CARRY ON LUGGAGE" yet many people (whom I assume based on their language, dress, and mannerisms were previous residents of the FSU) ignored these new flight rules. They did not check their bags thus causing everyone to suffer the delays required to inspect each and every item in their baggage.

It seems that people from the FSU, because of the communistic stranglehold that they endured, will deliberately disobey any minor law or rule that they feel they can get away with. Americans, IMHO, tend to obey these in an effort to maintain a civil and harmonious atmosphere.

My wife will see someone running through a stop sign, driving across the double yellow line on a twisty road, or cut in line and ask why I don't drive like that because there are no "road police" around. (She has only seen one car pulled over in the four months she has been here.) I explain that if everyone disobeyed the laws just because they were not going to get caught we would likely have (corrupt) police on every corner just like in her beloved homeland.

... in response to Coming in is no problem?, posted by Rags on Apr 3, 2002

I had my bags lost in a similar situation flying into Moscow.  Luckily, I remembered to write the address of where I was staying and when they asked for an address they delivered the bags the next day.  I payed no bribes and the person who helped me in Moscow spoke excellent English - once they got her for me.  I knew enough Russian to ask where I had to go if I lost my bags and understood where I had to go.  When they realized my Russian was so amusing at the counter I had gone to someone who spoke English was retrieved to help me.  I had flown Sabena from NY to Brussels and switched at Brussels to Aeroflot - naturally everything was very late coming out of Brussels.  From that time on I fly directly to where I have to go or fly with a carrier all the way ie. Aeroflot or Austrian Air - no more problems.  I also go Delta to Moscow and then you have to switch to Aeroflot, but you have to retrieve your bags anyway.  So, my advice is stick to direct flights or Russian airlines and you will greatly decrease your chance of losing your bags.

... in response to Changing airlines, posted by Bobby Orr on Apr 3, 2002

You were fortunate that Aeroflop was helpful in your case. I had no such expirience with them in SVO.

I doubt if they could have gotten my bags from Customs in Kyiv, but then again, I didn't try either. The Customs lady was quite adamant that they were closed and that I would have to come back the next day to get my bags.

After getting screwwed over in Moscow and losing two precious days with my fiancee I had other things more pressing than to waste my time in an airport dealing with Aeroflop.

... in response to KBP Customs service, posted by Rags on Apr 3, 2002

I flew Aeroflot from LA, and like most international carriers, I thought they were better than the US carriers. I flew United to Europe recently, and the crew had something up their butts. There was a very young (25ish) Hispanic gal running first class, and I was surprised she wasn't dead by the time we got to Warsaw. She had the worst attitude, and b**chiness of anyone I have ever seen on the aircraft. Problem was she was the head stewardess. I flew British Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Aeroflot in the last two years and thought they were great, and better than any American carrier. I flew Finnair, and though spartan, it was really nice also; good food! The United flight served minature Hamburgers for our dinner. Now that brought out some memories and excitement!

Steve

... in response to Re: Aeroflot from LA, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

"BELLY-BOMBERS"....  Anybody living up North?

What does your wife think about these little nasty burger!
Meatloaf on a roll.

Down here in the South we have "Krystals", same concept.
Equally nasty.

... in response to VIP service at Borispol, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

You can check with Jack about setting up the VIP service.  I was thinking it cost about $60.00 but believe me when I say it is well worth the investment.  The people at the VIP service actually called Chicago and straightened out my tickets so that I would not have to spend the night in Chicago.  It saved me beaucoup dinero.

... in response to Re: I used Rostik to set up my VIP servi..., posted by Oatmeal on Apr 3, 2002

I suspect that the VIP service is more useful outbound than inbound.  (I'm guessing as I have used it outbound only.)

Inbound, I've had no problems with clearing customs with the majority of the passengers.

... in response to Re: Re: I used Rostik to set up my VIP s..., posted by Richard on Apr 3, 2002

But using Rostick is probably not an option, as he will not be my interpreter. That would just really blow the expense out of reason. I am concerned about my handheld HP I am taking over and if I am going to get nailed! I will have a few gifts too, like a set of pearls for my "babushka"! I will probably follow your advice on the departure issue.

Steve

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thanks guys!, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

Never thought of pearls... that's a good one.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thanks guys!, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

If you don't want to deal with Rostick, maybe you could make use of one of the other interpreters / guides that have been mentioned on this board. I think you would  find 4 or 5 names if you searched on interpreters in the archives. You may be bringing some things with you that make the VIP service worthwhile.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Thanks guys!, posted by Richard on Apr 3, 2002

Thanks Richard,

I have been to Kiev 4 times, so I know interpreters there. I have 2 good friends who speak excellent English, and my fiancees best friend is an English teacher. But none of them are experienced with VIP. I simply don't know who to process it through. The last time I tried to get an international train ticket in Moscow, I was more confused every time I asked a government official for directions. It seems that it is not anyone's responsibility to know what the other hand is doing!

Steve

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Thanks guys!, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 3, 2002

Just have your interpreter call the number in the link to reserve it for you.  You pay upon arrival after clearing everything.  Not difficult.  Here is the link:  http://www.kpnews.com/main.php?arid=2456

... in response to Here is the link I have for VIP services, posted by DE on Apr 3, 2002

You mean you go through Customs first, and then VIP? I am not sure that will serve my purpose, as I am trying to avoid declaring my handheld HP Jornada, and some clothes and pearl jewelry for my fiancee.

Steve

... in response to Re: I just read it, Thanks, it was a big..., posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

The VIP agent will intercept you immediately upon exit from the aircraft. You are then whisked over to Terminal C (air-conditioned and quite comfortable) in a small mini-bus - a short distance away. You then crack a soda or a beer and calmly wait for the Customs folks to process your Declaration form and for your luggage to arrive - hand-carried by the porters. All of this is managed by your personalized VIP escort who will walk you through each step of the way.

The nicest thing about VIP is the authorities understand that the reason you pay for the premium service is you want a relaxed and care-free process through arrival or departure (as the case may be). They try hard NOT to give you a hassle - especially as an American.

- Dan

... in response to Nope - Not Quite . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 4, 2002

Based on your description, it sounds like the perfect way to arrive.  I don't mind the departure process, buy the arrival terminal, and waiting to get through immigration is painful most afternoons.  Often two large international flights arrive at the same time.

Getting out is relatively simple.  But I've had a "service card" that was supposed to prevent them from opening my bags.  The only thing it did for me on arrival was allowed me to always use the green line no matter what I was carrying.

... in response to I've never used it but..., posted by amerikanka99 on Apr 4, 2002

It seems that all the inbound international flights are scheduled to arrive at Boryspil within an hour (or so) of one another. When you consider that it includes Austrian, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways and a few others - it only takes a delay or two to fall in behind the other arrivals and then the arrival hall is a madhouse.

I've had some VERY slow queues on arrival and the result was a 2-hour (or more) process from getting off the airplane till I finally made it through the exit doors. VIP service - even with lost baggage - was never more than 40 minutes, and has been as little as 15.

It's definitely worth the cost to me.

- Dan

... in response to Nope - Not Quite . . ., posted by Dan on Apr 4, 2002

Would  you recommend VIP Inbound to Kyiv if you do not have any fancy electronics or anything else to declare / worry about?

... in response to Re: Nope - Not Quite . . ., posted by Richard on Apr 4, 2002

n/t

... in response to I Like It a LOT, so Yes  n/t, posted by Dan on Apr 4, 2002

Dan,

Can you give me an idea of how much it costs?

Steve

... in response to Re: Dan, What's the Cost?, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

n/t