₦airaland Forum

Yooku:
Dayummm son at boldened....You must be one smart chap to have made that average...as long as it was honest work . Congrats on surviving Electrical Machines,Semiconductor Devices,Digital Systems and all that Engineering Math razzmatazz Some of us only managed to scrape through by the skin of our teeth....Now listen, *puts hand around shoulder*, I'm sure you are feeling real high and mighty with that CWA but the real work in the real world starts after school and in a couple of years (not more than 1 or 2 max) no one will give a rat's ass whether you had a CWA of 99.9% if you can't deliver in the real world. For your post-grad ambitions kindly scoot over to the student visa thread and put your 1st Class awesomeness to work by starting from Page 0 from right here https://www.nairaland.com/3948393/canadian-student-visa-thread-part and by the time you are at Page 50 thereabout you will be in "pole position" as the Semiconductor Devices lecturer used to put it for your Canada ambitions. All the best!!

Canadianfly:
Routine routine routine! That's the way to go. And the good thing is, even when you have family was easy to get them off to sleep.

Wura27:
You are how I imagined you to be. Loll

Canadianfly:
Hahaha @ your last paragraph.

I have never been one for helps sha, maybe coz I moved to Naija recently and I no get strength to beg anybody to do anything for me. I have always done Creche and Daycare. Pick the kids on my way back from work, bath everybody and call it a night. So I guess there will be no difference for me when I move hahahaha as per no depression lol. I'll miss my cleaner though. He comes twice a week. That's what I'm worried about when we eventually move. Getting a cleaner. In Yankee, you can get them very easily for $40 per week.
Any way, you'll be fine once you get into a routine. Get the kids into a routine, everybody to bed at 7pm so you can breathe. I was hardcore with my two kids, sleep trained them at 2 months to sleep through the night coz I can't come and die. That what I had time for other things, cooking, etc. In fact if you want me to share my excel sheet routine with you, send me a pm. Hopefully you won't be scared like this woman has her kid on robot mode hahaha

Hamiltondreamer:
Came across some websites and thought to share
Housing
Realtor.ca (really good) went through it myself and almost teleported myself to canada
Hometrader.ca
Kjiji.ca (already known here)

Temporary housing
Toronto
Safehomestay.com
Staystudio6.com

Canadianfly:
I'll send it when I get home tonight. I haven't sent to Ugoiyke yet. Will send together tonight.

Ballerz:
Driving
So I came to the driving centre today.
The queue was s long. But I was determined to get that sorted and out of the way.
Came with my Letter from FRSC, the license itself and Passport.

It got to my turn, did all the documentation, paid the 105 CAD, I proceeded to the screen. My heartbeat started racing faster than Dywane Johnson. This is the fate of the furious. I had seen people who did not pass and had to go queue up again (you pay 15 CAD for retake) but because of the queue and time, I really needed to pass. I had done enough practice test in Nigeria. (Here is the link I used. http://www.g1.ca/g1-practice-test/ Practice till you are clocking 100%. The questions were exact.)

Download the driving instructions manual and read when you are less busy or bored. When you have a good understanding of their rules, the practice test will be quite easy and a breeze. (Just Google it or send me a mail, I will fwd the pdf one I have).

I have also been told, if you are not sure, just skip. The test is divided into two sections. 1. Knowledge and Sign test. You can only fail four per section. So strategy is to ensure you get your 16 straight. So if you don't know/not sure, just skip so that even if na the last four you fail, you are good to go because once you fail more than four, the test stops. e.g. you fail number 1-5, that is game over.

So sha, I continued my test with heart racing, finally finally screen said I passed. I bounced off my seat like a boss awaiting my temporary license / result confirmation.
Cheers folks

Wura27:
Am I the only one that shares everything blackbuddy writes before even reading it?

Keep up the good work @blackbuddy

impish:
Hi Blackbuddy and thanks for the useful resources.

Just to mention that our scanned copy of the FRSC letter was rejected last week at the Ottawa test centre we went to. We were told to return when we had the original hard copy. Our experience may have just been due to the lady who attended to us, but just thought to mention anyway. We never intended to write the test that day anyway, so we did not push. We had only gone to make enquiries and to see if my husband's temporary licence would be accepted.

Best,

Mrs. O
www.mycanadianfling.com

soja84:
Hi All.....I just got our Passports back and COPR today.We plan to travel in February but we intend to book our tickets this month because of price.Destination is Regina but I haven't been able to get any direct flight there hence I intend to use travelstart.I even called egyptair but was told they don't fly to Regina directly.When I checked through travelstart,You'll fly egyptair to Toronto,then connect aircanada to Regina.However,I'm worried about this travelstart issue that I just read.We have a toddler who can be very handful and I can't imagine him in this kind of situation.Please any idea on the best way to book these tickets without going through this kind of experience, guys?I will really appreciate you response.Thanks.

czaratwork:
Good morning all. please i want to ask some questions and need urgent response.

Those that got their credentials notarised, did you have any need to use the notarised copies? i want to go and do mine today at ikeja court. Not sure about this...

Then for our electronic gadgets (phones, laptops) any idea of how and where to get the adapters (step down) that will work in canny or is there no need to worry about that? Phones, TVs Laptops and most gadgets do not not need step down... They are compatible with 110 & 220V. What you might need tho is a 2-pin adapter that'll fit into the sockets over there.

Am i to make the list of accompanying goods and goods to follow on a plain sheet or is there a form to download online for that? If i am to make the list how does it look like. i remember seeing someone write here that you will put a price/cost to all items listed. I think there's a form for that somewhere on CIC website. I can't remember where I saw it. People who have landed can pls confirm.

I have no one to stay with when i land, i am yet to book for where i will stay. any suggestions on how to go about booking reservations (not hotels o) and companies that render such short stay accomodation because i intend to look for accomodation from where i will stay temporarily. Do i have to pay for the accomodation before leaving naija or can i pay when i get there? airbnb.com is a good and affordable option. you can book for a week, months... as you might need.

Then my luggages, i have seen that such companies will pick you up from the airport. i really need such services as i cant pay taxi fare for my landing luggages over there (okoro woman). I believe you should be able to get a mini van from the airport (Ballerz can help with that... He mentioned he used one from the airport).

I am leaving on Monday 25th 1.30pm naija time to Land on Tuesday 7.30am canny time.

Blackbuddy:
Much thanks again to Ballerz for sharing his driving test experience and other tips. For those looking at getting the FRSC experience letter, you can send a mail to NDLverification@frsc.gov.ng and use this simple template to make the request,

Good day,
 I ... residing at the above address is requesting for driving history document showing clean records without any suspension.

DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER:

DATE OF BIRTH:

I require this to formalize my Canadian Driver’s License

I shall be willing to authorize the pick-up of this original document once it is ready, while appreciating issue of the soft extract to my e-mail: ......
for commencement of the processing of Driver’s license at Canada

Thanking you anticipation of your action and response.

Even if you're already in Canada, you can make the request and get the soft copy of their response for your use for driving licence/car insurance as well and have someone back home courier the hard copy to you after you give them written authorisation to pick it on your behalf. Hope this helps.

czaratwork:
Try travelpaddy.com. go to their site

FSOFF:
hello house,
please how long on the average does it take to get PUM from Accra VO, Thanks.

czaratwork:
Try travelpaddy.com. go to their site

Ballerz:
Mrs O. They will only accept the original of the letter.
The kind of screening she gave letter pass the one bank tellers check when customers present cheques.
Kept reading the three document line by line.
She finally asked " what is a class B" . I simply said equivalent to your Class G. I think it is higher sef cos with class B in Nigeria you fit drive lorry.
She tore off the bio data page attached and returned to me that she doesn't need it.
Gave the documents to her supervisor to sign off on it.
Get someone to DHL it to you.
Or, If you send me an email, I can speak to my colleague who is on secondment there to get your letter for you.
Cheers

Blackbuddy:
Much thanks again to @Ballerz for sharing his driving test experience and other tips. For those looking at getting the FRSC experience letter, you can send a mail to NDLverification@frsc.gov.ng and use this simple template to make the request,

Good day,
 I ... residing at the above address is requesting for driving history document showing clean records without any suspension.

DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER:

DATE OF BIRTH:

I require this to formalize my Canadian Driver’s License

I shall be willing to authorize the pick-up of this original document once it is ready, while appreciating issue of the soft extract to my e-mail: ......
for commencement of the processing of Driver’s license at Canada

Thanking you anticipation of your action and response.

Even if you're already in Canada, you can make the request and get the soft copy of their response for your use for driving licence/car insurance as well and have someone back home courier the hard copy to you after you give them written authorisation to pick it on your behalf. Hope this helps.

trishachi:
Thanks for the info.

Where do you collect the hard copy from? Location/address?

or can they post to your address? and at what cost?

How long does it generally take for the letter to be ready from time of request?

Thanks in anticipation.

impish:
Hi Blackbuddy and thanks for the useful resources.

Just to mention that our scanned copy of the FRSC letter was rejected last week at the Ottawa test centre we went to. We were told to return when we had the original hard copy. Our experience may have just been due to the lady who attended to us, but just thought to mention anyway. We never intended to write the test that day anyway, so we did not push. We had only gone to make enquiries and to see if my husband's temporary licence would be accepted.

Best,

Mrs. O
www.mycanadianfling.com

Ballerz:
Driving
So I came to the driving centre today.
The queue was s long. But I was determined to get that sorted and out of the way.
Came with my Letter from FRSC, the license itself and Passport.

It got to my turn, did all the documentation, paid the 105 CAD, I proceeded to the screen. My heartbeat started racing faster than Dywane Johnson. This is the fate of the furious. I had seen people who did not pass and had to go queue up again (you pay 15 CAD for retake) but because of the queue and time, I really needed to pass. I had done enough practice test in Nigeria. (Here is the link I used. http://www.g1.ca/g1-practice-test/ Practice till you are clocking 100%. The questions were exact.)

Download the driving instructions manual and read when you are less busy or bored. When you have a good understanding of their rules, the practice test will be quite easy and a breeze. (Just Google it or send me a mail, I will fwd the pdf one I have).

I have also been told, if you are not sure, just skip. The test is divided into two sections. 1. Knowledge and Sign test. You can only fail four per section. So strategy is to ensure you get your 16 straight. So if you don't know/not sure, just skip so that even if na the last four you fail, you are good to go because once you fail more than four, the test stops. e.g. you fail number 1-5, that is game over.

So sha, I continued my test with heart racing, finally finally screen said I passed. I bounced off my seat like a boss awaiting my temporary license / result confirmation.
Cheers folks

Blackbuddy:
Please see a link to The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver's Handbook for Ontario,

https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook

This link is for other provinces, http://find-a-driving-school.ca/drivers-handbooks/

Ballerz:
Long Post Alert
I was scheduled to fly with BA on Thursday Sept 14,2017.
Plan was to leave the house 4.30am and get to the airport for 5am unfortunately the cab man did not come on time. I got to the airport with 7 bags.

I had planned to pay for 5 extra bags at the rate of 200 dollars per bag. I got there they said all my bags were over weight. I said proceed I will pay for the charges. (I just wanted to board). She said all my bags were over weight. 7 bags became 8 bags. Split into 2 x 23kg and 6 x32kg. They billed me 1,890 which i paid (they were shocked), me sef was not thinking of the Naira equivalent if not, I for run but because I already had two interviews booked for the next day. BA lands 8.30 Toronto time. I had scheduled one interview for 11am and another for 3pm. So na the appointment dey my mind not the money I was throwing at extra and excess baggages (wasting)

On my way upstairs, NIS said they need to confirm my cash, I brought it out to count because they said they need physical confirmation since it is more than 10k. They told me to come to corner (I knew the implication of corner things, I said no) from there I went upstairs to board that is when they called my name that my attention is needed down stairs

On getting there I realised one of their staff in the course of assisting and commotion of "we need to take off" had removed the wine I wanted to chill and relax with fried chicken had removed it from my hand luggage and kept into a check-in luggage. Dammmmnnnn... It broke and damaged all my clothes in that bag which were mostly whites.

I still said let's take off, I dont mind. I will sort out the damaged bags when I get to destination, then later they said no that I need to sort out the bags and they need to take off. That is how i did not fly o.

First thing I did was to collect my flenty flenty money i had paid as excess and extra luggage. I asked them to put me on the next flight, that was when nightmare started. "You need to get in touch with your agent, since you did not buy directly from us, we cannot reschedule you". Called Travelstart (The worst agent in terms of customer service. They are ever non responsive.) From 8am i kept calling and did not reach them until 10.30am. While waiting for Travelstart, I decided to go the cargo route. Then I was told they will not come until 9.30am. So i became a refugee moving with my loads. Good thing is that the cab man that took me to the airport, i did not dismiss him.

Airfrance finally came and gave me an invoice of 184,000 for 192kg. Did the calculations still better than 1890 USD BA was going to collect. Then they said i will pay some fees - clearing agency, NDLEA, customs etc. Bottom line everything came to about 260k. Which was still acceptable. Meanwhile i was waiting for travelstart to confirm which flight they were putting me on. They came back and said the next available flight is Wednesday 20th. I said ok proceed. Then.... they came back again and said BA put a comment "Partial No show...." and because of this comment they cannot reschedule, that I have to get in touch with BA.

Some1 advised that since they had issued me boarding pass, they are obligated to put me on the next available flight at no extra cost, because it is their headache since i already have a boarding pass. Friday Morning 5am, 15th September, took off to go rake for BA (on what they mean by partial no show). The lady simply said "your agent do not know what they are doing. This was the same comment I put for others that we disembarked and their agents has rebooked them and the ones that bought from us were put on a flight for this morning" The Manager or colleague said, "Just delete all the comment so that they will not have any other excuse"
Waited till 9.30am before travelstart line will get opened, while waiting, I immediately went to same travelstart website and booked another flight on Egypt air for Sunday 17th September. Which was the cheapest i could see (540k). Made payment via bank transfer. So when they came online, they wanted to start stories, I said "for the fact that I have a Boarding pass, it is not my headache put me on the next flight or give me a full refund. Wole was the one that picked the call, later he called his supervisor (Victoria Awo something....) after narrating all that happened she was stammering about full refund but when i imsisted that I have boarding pass and I will shred them on social media and especially twitter. I said i no longer wish to speak to you but your supervisor, She said she is the supervisor. I said, i mean the supervisor's Supervisor and i threatened social media action. She said I should give her some minutes she will revert to me. Then I said please confirm my payment for Egypt. So you have two options now, put me on a BA flight and refund the Egypt or confirm my egypt ticket and refund my BA.

15 mins later she came back that she has spoken to the operations manager who said it is easier for them to put me on BA for Sunday and refund the Egypt and they are forwarding the request to South Africa Office. Thereafter I mailed the interviewers and rescheduled since it was confirmed that Sunday is a Go day either Egypt or BA, I will be airborne.

At 5pm she now came and said they will be refunding BA but will not be giving me my full 530k but 454k and they will confirm the Egypt ticket. Another drama started that i must collect my full refund. They said the 250 dollars penalty is from Air canada. I said you knw what, since I am a Canadian resident, send me a mail and I will sue Aircanada. She ran off the phone again and said I will get back to you.

Now that my Egypt Ticket is confirmed for Sunday. I started planning for Sunday. I had not eaten better food in 48hours. I returned to my house as a refugee since everything was sold and the house stripped. With ticket confirmed, I logged onto Egypt and purchased 4 extra bags which was meant to be 150 Dollars but buying online you get 20% discount. To pay for extra luggage became another nightmare. I really wanted this prepayment because what BA charged 210 USD (Even though on their website it says 200 USD) for is what I am going to get for 120 USD. The portal on egypt was not working, tracked them down on FB, they sent me a mail to send the request to. They responded to the email and gave me a number to call. (Calling Egypt from Nigeria is soooo expensive) I call Canada and US for one hour and i pay like 475 Naira but this egypt was less than 20 minutes and i saw 1635 as call charge.
Bottom line, I was able to make the purchase of 4 extra bags at 490 USD (because they charged in Dirhams) After the payment I was finally at peace. I decided to cargo the remaining 100kg of load from Nigeria to Toronto.
Sunday 17th September, I got to airport very well ahead of time. My scale was now very accurate because I went to purchase a new digital scale to get my readings right as the previous scale was really a deceiver.

Time for check-in started, put my stuffs on the scale, they were quite good. Told the dude to bubble wrap them and paid 1k per Bag. Got to the counter, told them i had paid for 4 extra bags. They asked for receipts and to sight the Credit card, which I presented. They rescaled my loads and were reading 26, 26, 25, 23, 23, 25. I simply told them their scale is faulty and went to call the bubble wrap guy. We confirmed their scale had shifted a bit forward, so they let me pass. Then, they said I should put hand luggage on scale which read 18kg. He said it was high. I told him it is laptop and books in there (Because I had 2 laptops and 1 tablet). I opened it for him and they were so kind and said split it and have a third carry-on which was just meant to be two. It was this same carry on, BA was adamnat that it must not exceed 2 that they messed up my whole trip. Everything work together for Good sha, because i collected my plenty Benjamins back, paid it cheaper on Egyptair and discovered how to do Cargo business. I will soon open my own african shop in Brampton/Missisauga. Please watch out.

On my way to Board, encountered immigration again. First trouble, that I filled the form with green pen. He gave me back the form and a blue pen to start tracing. I said never. Give me a new form to fill. I am not going to retrace anything. He said, He does not have another form, I said I will not retrace since your form did not indicate a particular ink I am at liberty to fill in whatever ink. His supervisor came and started story of can you fill Bank instruments in Green. I said yes, specifically when I was in Zenith Bank 10 years ago, we had a customer whose instruction says, his check must be written in green ink, u honour any other color, he will sue you.

So money matters, since I was travelling with over 10k USD, she said the Bank only gives 4k, I said yes I am at liberty to buy from Black market. She asked for receipt from aboki, I sid i dont have. She now started saying what will she fill on the system bla bla. I said fill whatever you like. I do not have aboki receipts and I have declared my cash. I have offered to show you transactions outflow from my account to aboki. She asked for my business card, I said I do not have. I mentioned i worked with XXXX and we are known globally, she said something, I responded "who knows Nigeria Immigration beyond this country. She said after oil, they generate the highest revenue. I said, na FIRS with over 4trn aanual revenue. She told her otondo colleague not process the form cos i do not have receipt from aboki cos there is nothing for her fill as evidence of funds. That her inputting the details here will reflect in the system in toronto.... For real? like she is talking to a novice. I simply said can I go? She said yes. I said thank you and I left. (All her tactics to make me shake body was checkmated.

I boarded o and it has been smooth.... I am typing this epistle on board enroute to Cairo, after which I am off to prepare for my Toastings with the interviewers.

Lesson point
1.Get an accurate scale and do not exceed your 23kg
Don't be late to the airport. Try get there at least 2 hours before the official check in time. This will give you enough time to catch your breathe after moving plenty bags

2. Do not fly BA if you know you have load because airport purchase was charged 210 dollars even though website said 200

3.Don't buy your ticket from Agents especially travelstart, if you can help it (Though they get you cheap fares and options) because when complications like this arises, carrier, will say get in touch with Agent

4. If you know you will have extra luggage, just buy online, that 20% discount makes alot of sense. 600 Dollars became 490 Dollars.

5. In every situation, always see the good side. Myself and someone I met on this forum are already planning on the implementation of our business line. Watch out.

6. There is a 15k discount code on travelstart TSLIL15000. You can use it if your are yet to book your ticket. Thank me later.
Cheers Folks