PetePDX

Dear FTers,

I'm hoping to get your assistance and thoughts with a tragic-situation-in-progress.

Short version: my friend is flying on DL to the PRC to be Best Man at his friend's wedding, was detailed for seven hours due to "paperwork problems", was denied entry to China and is subsequently at NRT awaiting his fate. DL's agents at NRT scrambling to figure out ... happened during this FUBAR situation.

Longer version: I've traveled extensively with this friend: he has traveled extensively speaks several languages in survival mode or better and is terrifically friendly and diplomatic under pressure. I was mystified by what transpired last night.

If I understand correctly, he checked into PDX for his flight to NRT, then got on an NRT-PEK flight. His paperwork was checked at both PDX and NRT, during which no issues were found.

When he got to the PRC, he was detained by Immigration, denied access to telecommunications, had his passport confiscated by law enforcement, his boarding passes confiscated by airline staff, escorted by three private security guards, two LEOs, and four "customer service reps", had his duty-free liquor confiscated for "security purposes" and held under observation for seven hours. His passport was returned when he got back to NRT.

What struck me as exceptionally odd is how this would happen to anyone, much less someone with a clean record (N.B. retired military veteran, former law enforcement officer and avid supporter of charitable work). DL's staff at NRT were completely confused by this and worked furiously to try to fix the situation.

Right now, he's waiting at NRT to figure out what to do: he believes the only thing that will "fix" this situation (and hopefully get him to the wedding on time) will be for DL to fly him to his destination in the PRC and for the PRC Embassy in either Vancouver B.C. or Seattle to resolve the visa problem.

Thank you, in advance, for any tips or thoughts on how to resolve this or how it will play out.

Regards,
-Pete

louie-m

See here. Seems too much of a coincidence not to be the same person - except the reference there is to Alaska?

PetePDX

Thanks Louie-M - same person, perhaps this is the end of the road for this trip...

lsugolfer

Might raise flags in the Chinese system. Who knows.

PetePDX

Interesting notion...

jsmith50

Rather than something nefarious, it appears (from the other thread) that the traveller simply didn't have a Chinese visa. Having travelled to China a lot during my adult life, I can say from experience that the Chinese don't mess around when it comes to meeting the entry requirements.

mnredfox

OP, not encouraging cross posting but you might want to post in the China forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china-613/

There are quite a few China experts that may help you.

rylan

May be no Chinese VISA as mentioned. Either way, its pretty unlikely that any of the DL staff in NRT can help with anything. They can barely rebook during irrops, let along handle something this complex.

NotHamSarnie

Very strange that he was allowed to board States-side. The DL agents at check-in AND boarding the plane always check my Chinese visa.

javabytes

Not sure there is a DL-specific issue here, you may have more luck in another forum.

hansyuwiwb

Does he have a PRC visa??? Americans need visa to enter the PRC with no question asked. If he was deported beacuse he didn't have a visa then i couldn't say anything else. If he had a visa, was he given a reason for denied entry (such as being on Chinese gov's black list?) If he had a visa was his visa revoked? you usually receive a letter explaining the reasons if your visa gets revoked at boarder. This has nothing to do with delta.

irfan23

Need to know if he had a visa or not. If he didn't, there's no puzzle here. If he did, then an explanation had to be given at some point in these adventures. Feel like we're not getting the full story.

Btw, two of my three groomsmen plus an uncle were denied tourist visas to come to the US from India in Aug 2001 for my wedding. Fortunately my best man (and brother) had a previous US visa that was still good or I might have been standing alone. Yup, I'm still bitter.

tentseller

Since he does not hold a valid China entry visa he was rightfully denied entry by PRC border control. (As per the cross-posted thread referred to in post 2).

If he is in NRT he should make he way to HKG ASAP and use the China Visa service there for a same or next day visa.

HongKonger

Agreed. But if he is American, he cannot get same day.

OP, this is your best bet. It is probably your only bet. DL cannot help you. Talking to people remotely, like PRC consulates somewhere, cannot help you, at least not in time.

roknroll

I could use a sizeable mileage run to help me hit DM this year. Tell the groom not to worry, I'm on my way and can fill in as his best man. I have good past experience, and can fax over references of weddings I have performed as best man.

Just gotta hop on ITA Matrix real quick and verify the cpm. I'll be intouch.