I am looking into this now. How long did it take to get items?

The LMWH are very similar but dosing may be different. I spoke to a hematologist in UK today whom I trust and he can and he will prescribe if I need it. he is checking on shipping as legalities, etc and suggested just carrying if I can. COnsidering cost of meds, may be econimical to pay extra baggage fees! Also he is checking pricing since I will paying cash. I may just switch to aspirin a day which will give me some protection but not complete.

I will need routine labs and setting that up now.

Thanks for reading on this for me and the info, I truly appreciate it.

PS. I was able to buy several of the books via amazon Kindle store, so saving on space that way. If kindle breaks, still can access via PC. A couple others are reference books better to leaf through or not avail electronically. Still waiting to hear on books needed for 3 other courses. Some were actually more expensive than buying used textbooks but still worth it.

From memory I flew over to the US 2 days after dropping off the boxes and they had already arrived. They told me the flight number that they would arrive on. I rented a van the day I arrived in EWR and just drove over to the cargo terminal.

Although entirely reasonable for 12 boxes, I'm not sure this is that convenient for the OP -- they will be in UK for one semester only. Excess baggage on BA is actually very reasonable in a situation like this. If you are buying the books now (i.e. you don't already have them), buy them in the UK! Given your course is in the UK, it would be odd for them not to be available.
Don't bring too many clothes, and budget for buying a few things here, which you will likely want to do anyway.

Re: the LMWH -- if you are seeing a haemataologist in the UK, then it's not really an issue, since they can prescribe suitable meds. But if the cost of the meds is covered by insurance in the US, but not UK, then it would be worth taking with you: I would not risk shipping or even cargo since you will need to make a customs declaration. As long as you're not studying in the UK on a tourist visa (which when you pass through customs at LHR will raise a red flag), then you should be fine even if you are questioned/inspected.

tb

I've only heard good things about Kindle support - so in the unlikely event that it breaks, you'd probably be able to arrange a replacement from amazon.co.uk.

If you are doing a course at a UK university, maybe contact the university to ask about student book sales - each semester we have a large book sale for students to sell their unwanted text books to other students about to take the course. Now this was pre-ebay / amazon, so no idea if places still do it, but it might be worth checking.

At GBP77 per bag I'm not sure I'd agree. The total charge for all my boxes was just a few hundred - certainly less than 300. Up to the OP though of course!

Add in one-way van rental either side, and it's more like GBP400-500, not to mention the hassle factor. For the length of stay that the OP is considering, it would only be one or two extra bags -- especially if they fully utilise hand-luggage allowance.

Of course, agree it is the OP's call!

tb

I called virgin cargo and they don't deal directly with consumers. Will have to go through Fed Ex or DHL according to them. They said this was rule since 911

Am I asking the wrong questions or do I need to fly Virgin or something?


called Fed ex, over $1000 for shipping 200# of goods at economy rates! Ugghh..

Can anyone see if there are alternatives for me with flight and baggage allowances considered? I am a little flexible of flight dates but hoping to make it second week of Jan through end of month. Classes begin Jan 9th and was hoping to get settled that week but cost is a major factor.

If I fly first class with BA I get 3 bags up to 70# each free, and extra would be $77 I think. that would be more than suficcient to carry my meds with me. Having trouble finding reasonable airfare as not versed on this.

return could be just inside the 6 mos limit on travel without a visa.

Other airlines would be just as good and will be having to take baggage rates into consideration for sure.

this is proving to be the most difficult part of the planning! Getting a bit stressed as I really don't want to go off the med but may have to!

Club World (business class) on BA has the same 3×32kg bag allowance as First, and you can carry on 2×23kg bags as well. Each extra 32kg bag is £77, not $77, which translates to $119. I very much doubt you will find any other airline as generous. Can't help you with fares until you mention where (i.e. which city) you're travelling from; I didn't see it mentioned upthread.

Note that the 6 months visit without a visa for US passport holders is for business and tourism purposes. Entry to study requires a visa. You are likely to be denied entry, or at best suffer major delays at immigration, if they figure out what you're doing. Scratch that, you can enter as a student visitor. But make sure you have evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.

That's odd - it was in 2005 that I did it and I just called their LHR office.

I have funds and am really going to visit many people and places (can't wait to see parts other than London!) just will be studying while there as it will be a respite and recoup and time to hit the books where i won't be working. I can't wait to not have to do another night shift in a busy emergency room.

Study is online through US university, I can do it anywhere, but again not working will allow me time to take the insane courseload of 8 classes so I can finish quicker.

Will be traveling some, and staying with family friend. Heading BOS to any London airport.

Getting excited but possible this trip may not happen if I cant figure out last details.

OK, if you're studying an online course then I would say your status will be visitor.

Make sure you have a letter from your family friend, complete with a landline telephone number (i.e. beginning 01 or 02) that the immigration officer can contact to verify the matter, as if you are seeking entry for six months they'll expect to see a commensurate level of money. You should also bring evidence of ties to the USA and a compelling reason to return (as well as a roundtrip ticket). The UK Border Agency has been known to get suspicious.

If all is well and you get stamped in, check the stamp (once clear of the podium); if it says 5N then you have been admitted normally but if it says 3 then they were suspicious.

Fly on the 6th of January on BA1503 operated by AA at 8:55a arrive 8:55p. AA allows three bags to business pax as well, but it's $150 for each extra bag. Your return on 6th July would be BA239 dep 7:30p arr 9:40p. The cost of this booking is $4,298. I would normally say booking this late tends to be pricey, but as far as I can see that's the cheapest business class fare bucket. Changes and cancellations allowed at $500 penalty.

OK, OP is worried about a $1k fedex fee, but willing to stump up $3k extra to fly business to avoid $250 in excess baggage charges?

Just pay the excess baggage charges! It will be a few hundred dollars, but you will have your goods with you. Factoring not working/earning money for six months, as well as travelling around, it's a small fractional increase in costs. However, do remember that if you don't have IB/AA/BA 'elite' status, the excess baggage can only be 23kg/piece, otherwise they slap on a heavy bag charge.

tb