And so it begins...
Nothing like having the crap scared out of you at 2:30am.
Since it seems impossible for me to sleep more than three hours anymore, I decided I might as well check in for my flight to Sydney. I go to the airline website check-in page, as usual. I log in and pull up my flight, as usual. I verify my passport info and enter my emergency contact, as usual. Then I get an error saying that I can't be checked in because travel to Australia requires a visa.
Well, no shit. I paid my $20 AUD to get an Electronic Travel Authority, which is a nifty kind of "electronic visa" that doesn't require a visit to an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. An ETA is able to be pulled up by airlines directly, so there's no need for a visa stamp in your passport.
In theory.
Except apparently Delta's online check-in system can't access ETAs.
At least I hope that's the problem. I'm going to try and stay optimistic that I can go to the airport ticket counter and they can pull it up there. If they can't, then hopefully they can use my ETA receipt to get me processed, or else my vacation is over before it begins.
Wheeee! The travel drama has already started, and I'm not even at the airport yet.
Catch you on the other side.
Literally.
I hope.
UPDATE: Well, it took some computer trickery, but they finally managed to find my ETA visa. Guess that means I get to go to Australia now.
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Sooooo jealous! Have a fantastic time!
fuckers better fix your shit because i am really looking forward to seeing the photos you take in australia!
oh hell! hope it goes well…
Have a great time!! xoxo
David, so happy you’re finally making it to Australia. Have a wonderful time!!
Have a great trip!
Hope it goes well! Us non-Americans get an ESTA if we want to go to the USA – it’s valid for two years so I got one some time ago, when they were still free. All I need now is to save up the cash…
Woah, I must have totally missed the part where you’d previously mentioned you were off to Australia. Have fun! That’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go.
Give them a call.
There is nothing like the moment of panic when the online check in site won’t allow you to do so.
Yay! Have fun!
Have a great trip!
Great timing! Sunshiney weather, a falling aussie dollar and a new hard rock cafe!
Hard Rock Cafe for an early dinner on Saturday! If you’re in the area, let me know!
Have a great time! I’m so happy that you got everything sorted and you know can actually go! Yay! 🙂