Family devastated by visa row
A FAMILY have spoken of their devastation after a dream trip to the Caribbean was ruined by a mix-up over a visa.
Eight members of the Seale family, who live in Podsmead and Tuffley, were due to fly to visit family in the Bahamas on Tuesday.
They were due to fly to Newark Airport in New York, before catching a connecting flight to Nassau.
However, despite being reassured by Continental Airlines that they had the right visas for the 12-hour stay in the USA, when they reached Heathrow it was a different story.
The problem lay with Winnie Seale, 46, who carries a Bahamian passport.
Her daughter, Simone Seale, 27, explained: "We had checked everything we needed, we called Continental because of Winnie's passport, and they said she would only need proof of her residency in the UK.
"However, when we turned up they looked at her passport and said we did not have the right documents.
"They would not check in our bags, and told us we had to wait, in the end we all missed the flight."
The family have been offered no refund by Continental Airlines, and said they were told if they wanted to fly on a future date they would have to pay a surcharge.
Simone said: "We saved for two years to find the £4,000 we needed for these tickets, we even sold some jewellery to get the money together. We cannot afford to pay any surcharge. We are devastated by what's happened."
Simone and Winnie were due to fly with family members Michael, 20, Andrew, 24, Blessed, eight and Serena Seale, five, along with Osmund Munroe, nine and Emmanuel Johnson, three.
Nick Britton, Continental's director of corporate communications for Europe, Middle East & India, said the company were unable to let Winnie fly.
He said: "Although customers can discuss their travel documents with us over the telephone, we still have to review them at the airport again.
"If they are allowed to travel with the wrong documents, they could face being arrested and then deported, so we cannot allow them to travel."
Mr Britton said he would continue to investigate the incident.
11 Comments
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by Steve, glos
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 9:28AM
“looks like a 'US multiple Indefinite Visa' Winnie is showing us in the photo. Also those red passport stamps look like previous US entry/exit stamps.”
by Susan, USA (Formerly Gloucester)
Monday, July 06 2009, 2:56AM
“Rob, why do you blame the States? It's not their fault that this family had the wrong visa. We all have to get a visa, double checking helps. When they applied for it, they should have been refused if it wasn't the right type of passport for that type of visa. Don't blame the states for the wrong info being given.”
by Roxann, Nassau, Bahamas
Sunday, July 05 2009, 11:44PM
“I think the airlines should inform passengers that the only way they can be sure that the papers are straight is by viewing them. Because the effects of this devastating disappointment was extended all the way to The Bahamas to us the love ones waiting for our family.”
by Ex Glos resident, Devon
Saturday, July 04 2009, 3:24PM
“I feel for the family. I have flown with Continental, and experienced the worst customer service of any airline I have ever flown with. Nothing as bad as this - but some of their staff are downright rude, so to hear that they have given out incorrect information does not surprise me at all. I hope the family manages to travel without paying a surcharge.”
by Fed up, glos
Saturday, July 04 2009, 3:18PM
“JP what have your comments got to do with the story. Personal attacks have no place here, stick to the story or don't bother leaving comments.”