Flying to USA on Monday - what have I forgotten?

[purpleturtle]

If I haven't actually put it in a suitcase yet, it's written on a list of stuff to pack. Dh is useless at this kind of thing, so come on MN, suggest the crucial things I might have forgotten!

ROFL!

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MarsLady - dd's nursery supervisor has already tried to persuade me to let her go in my place to save me facing my fear of flying! I decided my fear of 20+ pre-schoolers was greater

And I'm not sure dh would have been impressed either!

I'm happy to just come with you. I'll sit in the corner and I won't be any bother. I promise!!!!!!!!!! [pleading grin]

Photocopy absolutley everything several times and put in different bags

passsport all pages

driving lieence

email conformation

can you get a sitter at 4 days notice?

Hadn't thought of that.

don't lock your bags as they have the right to search them and will cut the zippers/break open your bags.

Message withdrawn

or email a scan copy of everything to a 'hotmail' address so you can access and print if you have to.

we dont' photocopy we just have a scan copy in an easy access internet account

Sitter booked!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Chuffed. Although I've no idea where the case padlocks are anyway. But dd is taking the little purple case she got for her birthday, and it would a shame for it to be damaged unnecessarily.

We just have the main page copied, so we have the passport number handy if needced. We also leave a list of pur passport numbers on our computer (on a filename which isn't obvious!) - so parents could access them if need be.

check that you have at least 6 months left on your passports - it's a requirement for USA

Yeah right! You do know there's nothing to do there, don't you? It'll be very boring; lots of grown ups reminiscing about their uni days in Sheffield. You wouldn't like it, honestly.

don't know how old you are (and i'm not asking) but if you are planning to eat out and have alcohol alot of states "card" you ie check your age so if you have a photo driving licence take that out with you otherwise you might not get served (otherwise you'll need to use your passport which is a drag to have to carry around) we're in our 30's and we always get carded

Me (32 but look quite young), DH (31), my brother (30) and my sister (22) all had to provide eveidence of being old enough to drink. My brother didn't have his ID qith him one day and wasn't served!

Thanks, chicagomum. I'll make sure dh knows that. I'll have my licence for the hire car, but dh won't be driving so may not be planning to take his licence. We're both 32, so we can hope we get taken for younger!

Reminds me of the time my sisters were out (in the UK), and one of them went to buy a round of drinks. Despite being 19 the barman refused to serve her. My youngest sister (17) then went to order the same round of drinks, and was served, but warned that the vodka had better not be for 'that one over there'!

another thought be careful about bringing any food into the country if you don't need things like baby food or formula its best not to have anything at all

So do I just need to make sure that the kids have eaten all the rations before we land? I've been stocking up on dried fruit and cereal bars to keep them quiet!

how old are the kids? will they watch the films etc or will need to entertain them, if so get plenty of light weight things so you don't get lden down with hand luggage ( i took spot the difference sticker books, colour by number pictures, bob the builder transfer scenes, snap cards etc

yes if the kids haven't eaten the food leave it on the plane you can actually be fined for taking in food ( due to foot and mouth apparently) some things are allowed but not exactly sure what so best not risk it