It is true that the TSA requirement does not require you to be on a Visa. In fact, the Deputy Sherriff that comes to do the students fingerprints at NAC does not even want to see an original passport anymore........but what he does need to send to the TSA with the fingerprints to get approval for training is:
1. Copy of Passport
2. Copy of I20 visa form
3. Copy of student visa in the passport.
ChewyTheWookie
Sorry to hear about your troubles.......I can advise that we have many cabin crew for training and they use a visa processing service which turns around the visas in a couple of days when they are not flying. Please email and I will put you in touch with one of the students that did this.
No wonder everyone hates the americans when they treat even their "closest allies" like criminals
As for this.....the process is getting just as bad going into the UK, but saying that everyone hates americans .....that's just as bad as the few Americans generalizing about the French just because the President over there does not agree with the War.... I am British and I live in the US for one reason only......I run a flight school and I believe that the best place for my Flight school is in Florida.
Getting back to flying......yes there are some things that you need to do but for most is put them out for a bit of form filling and going up to the Embassy. We have pretty much roughened the edges on the system and students are moving through quite smoothly. Most students see putting up with this is still worth the brilliant flying that you will get in the US.
On a final note, I would suggest that you contact your school that you are going to and see if they can assist you....most will have a contact at the US Embassy that you can call.
Good luck to you