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Korean Air Negligence Complaint - Korean Negligence
Complaint
WASHINGTON IAD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA -- On the 11th of March 2009, I was scheduled to travel to Hanoi-Vietnam from Washington DC. Upon Check in, the airline did not inspect my passport and travel documents. I was admitted onto the plane without a Visa to Seoul-South Korea. Once in South Korea, the same airline did not check my documents again and I was further admitted to travel to Hanoi-Vietnam. I had checked in advance that I do not need a visa for Vietnam and being reassured by email by the Vietnamese embassy. The airline also confirmed that and let me travel to South Korea and then to Hanoi-Vietnam.
Upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi-Vietnam, I was ridiculed by the police in Hanoi and deported back with Korean Air to South Korea for not having a visa. The airline bluntly obeyed and disregarded my health concern as a result of an earlier long flight with them in the same day. The police changed my ticket with Korean Air without any notification. They also gave me no reason for my deportation. Korean air disregarded my health concerns and preferred to please the police in Hanoi instead.
I lost $1,400 as a result of their negligence. I also suffered an illness as a result of the trip, for which I seek medical help upon my arrival back in the USA.
Upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi-Vietnam, I was ridiculed by the police in Hanoi and deported back with Korean Air to South Korea for not having a visa. The airline bluntly obeyed and disregarded my health concern as a result of an earlier long flight with them in the same day. The police changed my ticket with Korean Air without any notification. They also gave me no reason for my deportation. Korean air disregarded my health concerns and preferred to please the police in Hanoi instead.
I lost $1,400 as a result of their negligence. I also suffered an illness as a result of the trip, for which I seek medical help upon my arrival back in the USA.
Comments:
Posted by dan gordon on 2009-03-20:
its terrible that you were ridiculated but fail to see why its the airlines responsibility to check your paperwork. They are in the transportation business not to hold your hand.
Posted by Ben There on 2009-03-20:
It is not the airline's responsibility to ensure you have your own documents in order. If anything, your complaint would be with the Vietnamese Embassy for telling you incorrect information, but don't expect any compensation from an embassy.
I always use Delta's website for visa information. It looks like all Americans need a visa before arrival unless you have a letter from the Vietnamese Immigration stating that you can get one on arrival. (https://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp.
I always use Delta's website for visa information. It looks like all Americans need a visa before arrival unless you have a letter from the Vietnamese Immigration stating that you can get one on arrival. (https://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp.
Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2009-03-20:
The fault lies in the Vietnamese Embassy for the incorrect information.
Is it possible to sue a foreign embassy?
Is it possible to sue a foreign embassy?
Posted by Ben There on 2009-03-20:
I don't think it is possible to sue a foreign government in a US court. Even if one was crazy enough to take that on, the OP would have to have proof that the embassy instructed that a visa was not needed which would be difficult to prove since all Americans need a visa.
Posted by Alain on 2009-03-20:
When traveling to a (communist or authoritarian) foreign country such as Vietnam it's probably a good idea to check with the US State Dept. to make sure you have all the necessary documentation.
Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2009-03-20:
Well, he has the emails from the Vietnamese Embassy affirming what they told him, so I think he should take them on.
I'd do it, even if it took 20 years.
I'd do it, even if it took 20 years.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2009-03-20:
Well, we, the French and a couple of others tried for well over 20yrs and it did no good.
Posted by Ben There on 2009-03-20:
Soaring, you crack me up sometimes. Suing the government of Vietnam because they denied you entry over a possible misscommunication is not the same thing as suing a bad mechanic down the street over a faulty brake job.
A country can deny entry at the border for any reason, regardless of what anybody wrote in an email. It took me 3 seconds of Googling "Do I need a visa for Vietnam" to find many websites including www.vietnamembassy.us to discover that one is need for people traveling on US passports.
A country can deny entry at the border for any reason, regardless of what anybody wrote in an email. It took me 3 seconds of Googling "Do I need a visa for Vietnam" to find many websites including www.vietnamembassy.us to discover that one is need for people traveling on US passports.
Posted by Anonymous on 2009-03-20:
Soaring, this is what I was talking about on the post you made in the forums regarding the advice you give. Suing is NOT always an option. It is not my intention to offend you, but you are way off base here and suing is not a helpful suggestion.
Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2009-03-20:
I made that forum post hours after I posted the comments here.
I still wish that there was a way for the OP to get compensation though.
I still wish that there was a way for the OP to get compensation though.
Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2009-03-20:
Wait a minute, why didn't I recommend Christopher Elliott in the first place?
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/troubleshooter/
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/troubleshooter/
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