AVOID MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Mar 1st, 2007, 12:27 PM
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AVOID MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TRAVEL ADVISORY – AVOID MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Travelers’ Beware – Traveling Out of the Philippines Is Very Costly and Inconvenient
The Philippines is probably the only country in the world that will gouge you with Airport Terminal Fee or Airport User’s Charge when you take off from any of their airports.
I had the misfortune of having to leave the Philippines originating from Cebu International Airport to Hong Kong with a two-hour layover in Manila. Here is my harrowing tale leaving this corruption-laden country.
Inbound Flight – Hong Kong to Cebu with Cathay Pacific
Outbound Flight – Cebu to Manila then to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines
CEBU – MANILA
Upon arrival at the Cebu terminal, I was approached by two airport employees in their Barong uniforms offering to assist me in navigating the check-in procedures. They were courteous and helped me through a very simple check-in process. After I received my boarding pass for the Cebu-Manila flight and Transfer Boarding Pass for the Manila – Hong Kong flight, I gave my last P250 to the Filipino handlers. Then I went around the retail shopping area at the airport looking for last minute souvenirs. When I heard from the public address system that boarding into my plane will begin in 5 minutes, I walked towards the gate and I came through a booth in the middle of the hallway leading to the gates with two older women manning the counter. Above the booth bears a sign requiring every passenger to pay a Terminal Fee of P200 Philippine Pesos.
US DOLLAR WELCOME:
I approached the counter and the woman on the left asked me for my boarding pass and stapled the Terminal Fee stub before I can even begin talking. I told them I used up all my Philippine currency and they immediately told me that I can pay in US dollars. I opened my wallet and handed them a $100 dollar bill and they told me they don’t have change. Then I asked if there is an ATM machine or Currency Exchange Counter where I can exchange my US dollar. They said there is none in the airport alluding to me that I just give them my $100 without giving me the change. Meanwhile the line behind me was already backing up and the other lady asked me to step aside. I then told them I have other currencies in small denominations like Hong Kong and Singaporean dollars. The lady on the right told me with a straight face that they only accept Philippine Pesos or US Dollar. At that moment I heard on the public address system that boarding has commenced.
BLATANT EXTORTION:
Why they impose such a fee and payable only in cash at the very end of the boarding process is clearly a way to extort money from unsuspecting travelers. Why can’t they allow the airline companies tack this on to the airline ticket at the time of purchase or have the airline check-in attendant collect this fee at the time of check-in? Why are these Terminal Fee attendants not equipped with enough cash to give back change just like any other retail or hotel desk attendants?
LAST MINUTE REPRIEVE?
Feeling frustrated I glanced at their cash box and I saw different currencies in their respective slots. I then pointed out to one of the slots and told the lady on the right in Cebuano dialect, that how come I saw Hong Kong dollars in their cash box. She then sheepishly answered back that she can accept Hong Kong dollars and started converting the P200 terminal into fee into Hong Kong dollars. She probably mistook me for a Japanese tourist.
IN YOUR FACE SWINDLERS
I paid the lady on the right for the Airport Terminal Fee for myself and my two companions using Hong Kong dollars. Meanwhile I heard on the public address system that final boarding has begun. We hurriedly left the counter and handed our boarding pass to another checker at the end of the hallway checking for the Airport Terminal Fee stub. As we were walking towards the gate of the plane, my companion asked me if I got back the $100 bill I handed down to the lady on the left. At that moment I realized I might have been swindled right in my own face.
The flight from Cebu to Manila was uneventful. As we were about to land in Manila, I was thinking of our flight transfer in Singapore for our trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong via Singapore. It went very seamlessly. Unbeknownst to me, the worst is yet to come.
TRANSFER PROCEDURES FROM HELL:
Our plane landed in Terminal 2, home to Philippine Airlines’ domestic and international operations. When we landed we were ushered to two flights of stairs down and to our right was a sign “Transfer Desk” pointing to a counter with no one manning it except for a man standing in front of it wearing a Barong and instructed passengers from Cebu to take the elevator to the third floor and walk toward the North Terminal. We took the elevator to the 3rd floor and when we got out was a check in area with that big sign again asking for the Airport Terminal Fee. I went to the help desk beside it and asked the person manning the booth if we have to pay the Terminal Fee again when we just came from Cebu and paid the terminal fee. He was not sure and told me to go to the Terminal Fee counter. I asked the Terminal Fee clerk if we have to pay the Terminal Fee again even if we paid it in Cebu en route to Hong Kong and she said “yes” flatly. I could not believe it. As I looked around for an ATM machine, a uniformed person asked me if I just came from Cebu transferring to a flight to Hong Kong. He told me to take the door with an Exit sign at the end of the hall.
NO INTERNAL ACCESS TO NORTH TERMINAL
This was quite confusing to me since as we approached the door, I can clearly see that it was leading to the outside of the Terminal. A uniformed woman was stationed in front of this door and I showed her my Hong Kong bound boarding pass and told her we are transferees from Cebu en route to Hong Kong. She did not say anything except to point to us to take door and said “North Terminal”. During all these time, there were no visible signs to follow leading us to our international gate or the North Terminal for that matter. When we got out I looked to my left and to my right. To my right was a door with uniformed guards and an X-ray machine. I approached one uniformed guard and told her that we need to get into the North Terminal for an international flight to Hong Kong. She then pointed to me a long line outside the terminal which almost backed up towards the sidewalk of the Terminal.
We followed the line and went into another staging area having our carry-on items scanned and have to pass through metal detector again. Then we were in the middle of the check-in area for international flights and in front of me was that sign Terminal Fee P200 again. I glanced around and was happy to see that a bank counter is actually available and open. I went and exchanged P600 pesos worth of Hong Kong dollars. We then proceeded to the Terminal Fee counter and then the person manning it, pointed to us to use either left or the right counters with each having a long line of passengers.
AIRPORT USER FEE PhP750 or US$ 15.50 ONLY
We followed the line and as we got closer we noticed the fee is now different. The sign stated Airport User’s Charge PhP750.00 or US$15.50. I can’t believe we have to pay another fee again. We just visited three other Asian countries with various transfers and we did not have to pay any fee and the process was efficient. I just said to myself just pay it and get out of this country.
NO CHANGE AGAIN
As I was approaching the counter I hesitated for a moment and thought of getting my $100 bill exchanged to Philippine Pesos but I thought they must have a change for three persons at US$15.50 is equal to US$46.50, clearly I thought they should have US$53.50 to give back. Lo and behold, I was wrong again, the lady at the counter told me emphatically to get it exchanged into Philippine Pesos at the bank counter nearby since she has no change. My patience has reached to a boiling point since the line was getting longer and longer. I grudgingly walked towards the bank counter and exchanged my $100 bill to Philippine Pesos, paid the Airport User’s “Extortion” Fee and walked towards the Immigration line area.
CONFUSING LINES
As we walked towards the Immigration inspection area, there were six lines leading to an Immigration counter with an Immigration Officer manning each of the counters and two lines leading to an X-ray machine and a metal detector. Unlike the Immigration counters in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand or any other U.S. cities, as soon as your passport is stamped and allowed you for entry or departure, you will pass by the Immigration officer leading to the gates instead we have to go back and go into another line and have your passport and boarding pass checked by another personnel if it has been stamped, then this person allows you to go through the metal detector and have your carry-on items scanned before you go into the gates for boarding. Another justification for this extra-personnel which is probably a political appointee.
PERSONNEL WITH NO CLUE
As I placed my carry-on items on the conveyor belt for scanning, I cannot help but noticed that the Philippines was the only country that I had just visited that did not require me to take my laptop, camcorder and cell phone out of my carrying case and placed it in a separate container. There were also no dedicated personnel manning the metal detector. You can basically put any un-allowed items together with your keys at the side of the metal detector, slip through the metal detector and pick them up and get through. They only look at you if the metal detector beeps when you go through it. In US airports you have to hand your keys, belts etc to the security personnel before you pass through the metal detector. Not so in the Philippines.
FINAL SCAM
I picked up my carry-on items and headed outside the security check area and a security personnel asked me to stand on the platform so he can frisk me. I found it odd since the metal detector did not beep when I pass through it. He then touched my waist and then patted my front shirt pocket signaling for me to take the contents out. I took the contents out and he saw my Hong Kong dollars. He then asked me “you’re going to Hong Kong?” and I said yes. He then tapped the left front pocket of my pants. I took out the contents of my pant pocket and he saw my left-over Philippine pesos in which he asked if I will be gone for a long time alluding to me that I would not need my Philippine pesos abroad and perhaps give it to him as a tip or whatever. I said I will only be gone for two days and he let me go.
Relieved that I can finally go to my boarding area, I glanced at my other companion and noticed she needed a little help from all the red tape that we had to go through. We walked together out of the security check area and as we approached the final gateway out the security area, another security personnel told us if our carry-on items were manually checked by a line of security personnel standing to our left. I told this person that our carry-on items have been scanned over and over again, do we need to get manually check one more time? She said we have to otherwise she would not let us go. I scanned the security personnel standing and went in front of a younger security personnel busy talking on his cell phone and placed down my carrying case in front of him. He glanced at it, open the zipper, closed it and handed it back to me. I walked back to the same lady who stopped me before and there she was busy chatting with another personnel and let everyone pass by.
The Philippine airport system is a mess. It appears strict but a closer look does not give the passengers assurance that security and screening procedures are properly carried out. There were too many personnel doing redundant procedures and appeared to have no clue on what their objectives are and their respective duties to fulfill their functions.
AIRPORT FACILITIES
Terminal 2 is dubbed “Centennial Terminal” in commemoration of the centennial year of the declaration of Philippine independence opened in 1999 and yet the airport’s facilities look century old. Gate N2 was not as spacious and clean as other airports in other Asian countries I just visited. The bathrooms were small with only two urinals and there were no toilet seat covers in the toilet stalls.
It befuddles me that an airport that imposes an Airport User’s “Extortion” Charge does not have a clean, state of the art facility. The passengers’ lounges are not as spacious compared to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. The layout is a joke for passengers transferring from other Philippine airports en route to other countries. What kind of airport design is it that you have to get out of the terminal to catch your next plane?
Who would want to come back to this airport filled with parasites and predators ready to gouge and scam you? I had just visited Thailand’s countryside and while it is not yet up to par to Singapore or Hong Kong, Bangkok’s new airport is rightfully there. Manila’s airport is ghastly behind, poorly managed and with its unjustifiable Airport User’s “Extortion” Fee levied on passengers at the most inconvenient place is a very good reason to avoid this airport and this country.
Travelers’ Beware – Traveling Out of the Philippines Is Very Costly and Inconvenient
The Philippines is probably the only country in the world that will gouge you with Airport Terminal Fee or Airport User’s Charge when you take off from any of their airports.
I had the misfortune of having to leave the Philippines originating from Cebu International Airport to Hong Kong with a two-hour layover in Manila. Here is my harrowing tale leaving this corruption-laden country.
Inbound Flight – Hong Kong to Cebu with Cathay Pacific
Outbound Flight – Cebu to Manila then to Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines
CEBU – MANILA
Upon arrival at the Cebu terminal, I was approached by two airport employees in their Barong uniforms offering to assist me in navigating the check-in procedures. They were courteous and helped me through a very simple check-in process. After I received my boarding pass for the Cebu-Manila flight and Transfer Boarding Pass for the Manila – Hong Kong flight, I gave my last P250 to the Filipino handlers. Then I went around the retail shopping area at the airport looking for last minute souvenirs. When I heard from the public address system that boarding into my plane will begin in 5 minutes, I walked towards the gate and I came through a booth in the middle of the hallway leading to the gates with two older women manning the counter. Above the booth bears a sign requiring every passenger to pay a Terminal Fee of P200 Philippine Pesos.
US DOLLAR WELCOME:
I approached the counter and the woman on the left asked me for my boarding pass and stapled the Terminal Fee stub before I can even begin talking. I told them I used up all my Philippine currency and they immediately told me that I can pay in US dollars. I opened my wallet and handed them a $100 dollar bill and they told me they don’t have change. Then I asked if there is an ATM machine or Currency Exchange Counter where I can exchange my US dollar. They said there is none in the airport alluding to me that I just give them my $100 without giving me the change. Meanwhile the line behind me was already backing up and the other lady asked me to step aside. I then told them I have other currencies in small denominations like Hong Kong and Singaporean dollars. The lady on the right told me with a straight face that they only accept Philippine Pesos or US Dollar. At that moment I heard on the public address system that boarding has commenced.
BLATANT EXTORTION:
Why they impose such a fee and payable only in cash at the very end of the boarding process is clearly a way to extort money from unsuspecting travelers. Why can’t they allow the airline companies tack this on to the airline ticket at the time of purchase or have the airline check-in attendant collect this fee at the time of check-in? Why are these Terminal Fee attendants not equipped with enough cash to give back change just like any other retail or hotel desk attendants?
LAST MINUTE REPRIEVE?
Feeling frustrated I glanced at their cash box and I saw different currencies in their respective slots. I then pointed out to one of the slots and told the lady on the right in Cebuano dialect, that how come I saw Hong Kong dollars in their cash box. She then sheepishly answered back that she can accept Hong Kong dollars and started converting the P200 terminal into fee into Hong Kong dollars. She probably mistook me for a Japanese tourist.
IN YOUR FACE SWINDLERS
I paid the lady on the right for the Airport Terminal Fee for myself and my two companions using Hong Kong dollars. Meanwhile I heard on the public address system that final boarding has begun. We hurriedly left the counter and handed our boarding pass to another checker at the end of the hallway checking for the Airport Terminal Fee stub. As we were walking towards the gate of the plane, my companion asked me if I got back the $100 bill I handed down to the lady on the left. At that moment I realized I might have been swindled right in my own face.
The flight from Cebu to Manila was uneventful. As we were about to land in Manila, I was thinking of our flight transfer in Singapore for our trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong via Singapore. It went very seamlessly. Unbeknownst to me, the worst is yet to come.
TRANSFER PROCEDURES FROM HELL:
Our plane landed in Terminal 2, home to Philippine Airlines’ domestic and international operations. When we landed we were ushered to two flights of stairs down and to our right was a sign “Transfer Desk” pointing to a counter with no one manning it except for a man standing in front of it wearing a Barong and instructed passengers from Cebu to take the elevator to the third floor and walk toward the North Terminal. We took the elevator to the 3rd floor and when we got out was a check in area with that big sign again asking for the Airport Terminal Fee. I went to the help desk beside it and asked the person manning the booth if we have to pay the Terminal Fee again when we just came from Cebu and paid the terminal fee. He was not sure and told me to go to the Terminal Fee counter. I asked the Terminal Fee clerk if we have to pay the Terminal Fee again even if we paid it in Cebu en route to Hong Kong and she said “yes” flatly. I could not believe it. As I looked around for an ATM machine, a uniformed person asked me if I just came from Cebu transferring to a flight to Hong Kong. He told me to take the door with an Exit sign at the end of the hall.
NO INTERNAL ACCESS TO NORTH TERMINAL
This was quite confusing to me since as we approached the door, I can clearly see that it was leading to the outside of the Terminal. A uniformed woman was stationed in front of this door and I showed her my Hong Kong bound boarding pass and told her we are transferees from Cebu en route to Hong Kong. She did not say anything except to point to us to take door and said “North Terminal”. During all these time, there were no visible signs to follow leading us to our international gate or the North Terminal for that matter. When we got out I looked to my left and to my right. To my right was a door with uniformed guards and an X-ray machine. I approached one uniformed guard and told her that we need to get into the North Terminal for an international flight to Hong Kong. She then pointed to me a long line outside the terminal which almost backed up towards the sidewalk of the Terminal.
We followed the line and went into another staging area having our carry-on items scanned and have to pass through metal detector again. Then we were in the middle of the check-in area for international flights and in front of me was that sign Terminal Fee P200 again. I glanced around and was happy to see that a bank counter is actually available and open. I went and exchanged P600 pesos worth of Hong Kong dollars. We then proceeded to the Terminal Fee counter and then the person manning it, pointed to us to use either left or the right counters with each having a long line of passengers.
AIRPORT USER FEE PhP750 or US$ 15.50 ONLY
We followed the line and as we got closer we noticed the fee is now different. The sign stated Airport User’s Charge PhP750.00 or US$15.50. I can’t believe we have to pay another fee again. We just visited three other Asian countries with various transfers and we did not have to pay any fee and the process was efficient. I just said to myself just pay it and get out of this country.
NO CHANGE AGAIN
As I was approaching the counter I hesitated for a moment and thought of getting my $100 bill exchanged to Philippine Pesos but I thought they must have a change for three persons at US$15.50 is equal to US$46.50, clearly I thought they should have US$53.50 to give back. Lo and behold, I was wrong again, the lady at the counter told me emphatically to get it exchanged into Philippine Pesos at the bank counter nearby since she has no change. My patience has reached to a boiling point since the line was getting longer and longer. I grudgingly walked towards the bank counter and exchanged my $100 bill to Philippine Pesos, paid the Airport User’s “Extortion” Fee and walked towards the Immigration line area.
CONFUSING LINES
As we walked towards the Immigration inspection area, there were six lines leading to an Immigration counter with an Immigration Officer manning each of the counters and two lines leading to an X-ray machine and a metal detector. Unlike the Immigration counters in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand or any other U.S. cities, as soon as your passport is stamped and allowed you for entry or departure, you will pass by the Immigration officer leading to the gates instead we have to go back and go into another line and have your passport and boarding pass checked by another personnel if it has been stamped, then this person allows you to go through the metal detector and have your carry-on items scanned before you go into the gates for boarding. Another justification for this extra-personnel which is probably a political appointee.
PERSONNEL WITH NO CLUE
As I placed my carry-on items on the conveyor belt for scanning, I cannot help but noticed that the Philippines was the only country that I had just visited that did not require me to take my laptop, camcorder and cell phone out of my carrying case and placed it in a separate container. There were also no dedicated personnel manning the metal detector. You can basically put any un-allowed items together with your keys at the side of the metal detector, slip through the metal detector and pick them up and get through. They only look at you if the metal detector beeps when you go through it. In US airports you have to hand your keys, belts etc to the security personnel before you pass through the metal detector. Not so in the Philippines.
FINAL SCAM
I picked up my carry-on items and headed outside the security check area and a security personnel asked me to stand on the platform so he can frisk me. I found it odd since the metal detector did not beep when I pass through it. He then touched my waist and then patted my front shirt pocket signaling for me to take the contents out. I took the contents out and he saw my Hong Kong dollars. He then asked me “you’re going to Hong Kong?” and I said yes. He then tapped the left front pocket of my pants. I took out the contents of my pant pocket and he saw my left-over Philippine pesos in which he asked if I will be gone for a long time alluding to me that I would not need my Philippine pesos abroad and perhaps give it to him as a tip or whatever. I said I will only be gone for two days and he let me go.
Relieved that I can finally go to my boarding area, I glanced at my other companion and noticed she needed a little help from all the red tape that we had to go through. We walked together out of the security check area and as we approached the final gateway out the security area, another security personnel told us if our carry-on items were manually checked by a line of security personnel standing to our left. I told this person that our carry-on items have been scanned over and over again, do we need to get manually check one more time? She said we have to otherwise she would not let us go. I scanned the security personnel standing and went in front of a younger security personnel busy talking on his cell phone and placed down my carrying case in front of him. He glanced at it, open the zipper, closed it and handed it back to me. I walked back to the same lady who stopped me before and there she was busy chatting with another personnel and let everyone pass by.
The Philippine airport system is a mess. It appears strict but a closer look does not give the passengers assurance that security and screening procedures are properly carried out. There were too many personnel doing redundant procedures and appeared to have no clue on what their objectives are and their respective duties to fulfill their functions.
AIRPORT FACILITIES
Terminal 2 is dubbed “Centennial Terminal” in commemoration of the centennial year of the declaration of Philippine independence opened in 1999 and yet the airport’s facilities look century old. Gate N2 was not as spacious and clean as other airports in other Asian countries I just visited. The bathrooms were small with only two urinals and there were no toilet seat covers in the toilet stalls.
It befuddles me that an airport that imposes an Airport User’s “Extortion” Charge does not have a clean, state of the art facility. The passengers’ lounges are not as spacious compared to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. The layout is a joke for passengers transferring from other Philippine airports en route to other countries. What kind of airport design is it that you have to get out of the terminal to catch your next plane?
Who would want to come back to this airport filled with parasites and predators ready to gouge and scam you? I had just visited Thailand’s countryside and while it is not yet up to par to Singapore or Hong Kong, Bangkok’s new airport is rightfully there. Manila’s airport is ghastly behind, poorly managed and with its unjustifiable Airport User’s “Extortion” Fee levied on passengers at the most inconvenient place is a very good reason to avoid this airport and this country.
Mar 1st, 2007, 12:45 PM
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This is so sad.
When I was growing up in Hong Kong in the 70's and 80's, The Philippines was a very popular vacation spot for HKers. Cheap and nice. Lots of tour groups going there every week.
Now, few are going, even though it's still cheap. People rather go to Thailand or Malaysia that are further away.
I guess this post explains some of the reasons why.
When I was growing up in Hong Kong in the 70's and 80's, The Philippines was a very popular vacation spot for HKers. Cheap and nice. Lots of tour groups going there every week.
Now, few are going, even though it's still cheap. People rather go to Thailand or Malaysia that are further away.
I guess this post explains some of the reasons why.
Mar 1st, 2007, 08:05 PM
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lots of airports have exit fees...for instance in thailand its 700 B, and only a month or so ago did it start to be included in your ticket price....prior you had to pay in T baht only...cash....laos the same...cambodia the same...
look at your us tickets now...there are tons of fees...
i did not read your whole rant so i do not know about the rest of the items...
look at your us tickets now...there are tons of fees...
i did not read your whole rant so i do not know about the rest of the items...
Mar 3rd, 2007, 10:44 AM
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had you not referenced manila or philippines in your message i would have known where you were instantly! welcome to the land of scams and thefts! like they say in the contest first prize is 1 week in manila, 2nd prize is 2 weeks in manila!!!
Mar 4th, 2007, 02:47 AM
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I'm sorry you had a hard time.
Please send an email with the exact trip report you posted here to the Department of Tourism on the contact us portion:
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/
Please send an email with the exact trip report you posted here to the Department of Tourism on the contact us portion:
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/
Mar 7th, 2007, 11:31 AM
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I think all large airports are confusing and expensive (some more than others). However, I have just returned from Manilla and found a great number of the staff at the airport to be very kind and helpful. Yes, the lay-out is confusing and red-tape annoying but as one of the security staff said to me "it is all for your safety - not mine!! (I certainly agreed with her on this). Her search was thorough but she was very pleasant - she seemed most concerned when she had to confiscate a bottle of water, etc., and wondered if I could drink the water before going through security.
I am very sorry you had such a bad experience.
Pat
I am very sorry you had such a bad experience.
Pat
Mar 7th, 2007, 11:55 AM
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We have been to the Philippines several times and have not had this "harrowing" experience alluded to above. Yes there are airport departure fees- a number of airports around the world have these.
Carrying $100 US bills does not seem like a good idea- I know of many places in the states that will not accept $100 US bills! You can't expect these countries to always have change to that extent available at that point. Always carry some local currency- you can always get it exchanged on the other end at the money changers.
As I said we have been there serveral times and it was fine getting thru the airport.
Carrying $100 US bills does not seem like a good idea- I know of many places in the states that will not accept $100 US bills! You can't expect these countries to always have change to that extent available at that point. Always carry some local currency- you can always get it exchanged on the other end at the money changers.
As I said we have been there serveral times and it was fine getting thru the airport.
Mar 7th, 2007, 12:33 PM
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Don't let this initial post stop you from considering the Philippines- its still a great place to visit and your $US dollar goes a lot farther than other Asian countries. There are always horrow stories that some people experience when visiting any country- as I indicated we were there the last two years and had a wonderful time.
Mar 26th, 2007, 08:52 PM
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I am an EXPAT Filipino who has been to 72 countries, and I have been to the best and worst airports...and all the types of airports in between, across all continents from North America to Europe, Scandinavia including Greenland/Iceland, Australia, NZ to Africa, the Middle East, Central & South America. I have been in and out of Philippine airports more than hundreds of times on a monthly basis for the last 25 years. But I haven't experienced this kind of extortion myself.
And one thing I observed about OVERSEAS FILIPINOS (i.e. disappointed Pinoy - who is obviously a FILIPINO) is that they are so pretentious, haughty and unpatriotic that they love to bash their own country. They have a lot of COLONIAL MENTALITY - love for anything except the Philippines, and they love shooting their own foot, which we locally call as CRAB MENTALITY. No wonder why the Philippines is getting such a bad publicity.
I also wonder why he insisted in showing his $100 when he has pesos in his pocket, as indicated by his statement - "I took out the contents of my pant pocket and he saw my left-over Philippine pesos...".
He obviously hasn't traveled that much, or that far. Just the nearby countries, and the U.S. perhaps. And yet he feels he is well traveled, with the vested right of being arrogant and snobbish.
As we say "little knowledge is dangerous", as "limited travel experience is also dangerous" when the experience is used in a judgmental or prejudiced way. On the contrary, TRAVEL SHOULD HAVE BROADENED THE MIND...
And one thing I observed about OVERSEAS FILIPINOS (i.e. disappointed Pinoy - who is obviously a FILIPINO) is that they are so pretentious, haughty and unpatriotic that they love to bash their own country. They have a lot of COLONIAL MENTALITY - love for anything except the Philippines, and they love shooting their own foot, which we locally call as CRAB MENTALITY. No wonder why the Philippines is getting such a bad publicity.
I also wonder why he insisted in showing his $100 when he has pesos in his pocket, as indicated by his statement - "I took out the contents of my pant pocket and he saw my left-over Philippine pesos...".
He obviously hasn't traveled that much, or that far. Just the nearby countries, and the U.S. perhaps. And yet he feels he is well traveled, with the vested right of being arrogant and snobbish.
As we say "little knowledge is dangerous", as "limited travel experience is also dangerous" when the experience is used in a judgmental or prejudiced way. On the contrary, TRAVEL SHOULD HAVE BROADENED THE MIND...
Apr 6th, 2007, 05:44 PM
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"A travel advisory is a public notice issued by a government agency to provide information about the relative safety of traveling to or visiting one or more specific destinations."
*shaking my head in disbelief*
drherm is right on the money. how sad that this poster chose to broadcast his/her ignorance. what makes it worse is the blatant attempt to degrade his/her own people.
to disappointedPinoy...have you replenished your supply of skin-whitening products yet?
i too have had a lot of experience going in and out of the Philippines and other countries. sure they do things differently at the airport in manila such as having to go through so many checkpoints and yes there are fees. as one poster previously posted, have you seen all the fees and taxes tacked on to your US ticket? other airports/countries have fees as well as their own way of handling things.
i am going to be leaving in a few days for another continent but i am not expecting things to be handled the same way they handle things here in the US. that would be plain arrogance to expect otherwise. common sense (apparently not too common) dictates that i carry a certain amount of cash in us$ and the local currency - preferably some in small amounts. by the way, the poster also failed to point out that P200 is approximately $4.
a few years ago, a friend of mine lent me 1,500 in Philippine pesos after she learned that i was going to the Philippines. she said that i could give the money back (same currency) after my trip. this practice i have continued with my other friends and family. i keep about $100 worth of Philippine pesos and approx $150 worth of euros for me, my family and a few close friends to use. while carrying a few dollars is usually good enough, sometimes it just makes life easier to have enough of the local currency in hand.
btw, flashing a $100 bill ("unintenionally"? uh-huh...*wink wink*) sometimes makes you a target. try doing the same in palermo, naples, pisa...
*shaking my head in disbelief*
drherm is right on the money. how sad that this poster chose to broadcast his/her ignorance. what makes it worse is the blatant attempt to degrade his/her own people.
to disappointedPinoy...have you replenished your supply of skin-whitening products yet?
i too have had a lot of experience going in and out of the Philippines and other countries. sure they do things differently at the airport in manila such as having to go through so many checkpoints and yes there are fees. as one poster previously posted, have you seen all the fees and taxes tacked on to your US ticket? other airports/countries have fees as well as their own way of handling things.
i am going to be leaving in a few days for another continent but i am not expecting things to be handled the same way they handle things here in the US. that would be plain arrogance to expect otherwise. common sense (apparently not too common) dictates that i carry a certain amount of cash in us$ and the local currency - preferably some in small amounts. by the way, the poster also failed to point out that P200 is approximately $4.
a few years ago, a friend of mine lent me 1,500 in Philippine pesos after she learned that i was going to the Philippines. she said that i could give the money back (same currency) after my trip. this practice i have continued with my other friends and family. i keep about $100 worth of Philippine pesos and approx $150 worth of euros for me, my family and a few close friends to use. while carrying a few dollars is usually good enough, sometimes it just makes life easier to have enough of the local currency in hand.
btw, flashing a $100 bill ("unintenionally"? uh-huh...*wink wink*) sometimes makes you a target. try doing the same in palermo, naples, pisa...
Apr 11th, 2007, 06:03 AM
#12
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Agree wholeheartedly about the comments of the last few posters re the unfair remarks of Disappointed Pinoy. Obviously, he has not done that much travelling so as to make a big issue about airport procedures and practices. To quote an old Chinese saying, sometimes it is better to keep one's mouth shut and risk being branded stupid than say something and erase all doubts.
Apr 12th, 2007, 04:24 AM
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Before travelling to Manila, as with any destination you are unfamiliar with, I would suggest that you do your homework. From my recent experience, apart from being "a little worn around the edges", Manila International is as welcoming as Singapore or Hong Kong. On my last visit, I even had to call for urgent medical attention for a badly swollen leg and to my surprise, an orderly with a wheelchair arrived in a couple of minutes and I was seen by a doctor in another five - without any charge, even for the prescription! In the Philippines, you have to learn make allowances for the fact that this is a poor country - and of course, the airport tax you refer to is about the cost of a beer for most of us foreigners back home. Pasaway na lang to you! Having said all that, watch you don't get ripped off by the aircon drivers outside the arrivals terminal. So relax a little and have fun in Phils . . I always do!
May 6th, 2007, 10:05 AM
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Airport fees are the norm in most airports. In poor countries, it is not a good idea to be efficient because it would deprive the reason to create government jobs that the politicians promised their supporters. My wife and I was recently in the Galapagos, Eduadore and the park entrance fee is $100 per person. Airport fees in the Philippines are cheap but doing your homework is always advisable. If you think your travel experince in the Philippines, is bad, try going to Eastern Europe or to West Africa. I have been to all seven continents and I would rank the Philippines as slightly above average on the satisfaction rating.
Bottomline is do your homework before leaving home.
Bottomline is do your homework before leaving home.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 07:48 PM
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Every airports around the world has its own strenghts and weaknesses. That is what I learned from my over 25 years of travels. I always expect for the worst so I won't be disappointed if ever I encounter any difficulties. There are terminals I try to avoid, Narita and Heathrow are two of them. They are two most difficult airports to navigate especially when connecting wiht different airlines. People are not so friendly which is quite opposite in Manila. The treminal in Manila is not the most elegant in the world but I like the people's relaxed demeanor. Airport fees? Every airpot has it. Everyone is charged but few notice it on their tickets. Frequent travelers are well-versed about this. I always keep extra local currency on my pocket because you won't know whe you would need it. I keep them with me and reserve for next trip. But, of course this applies more to me because I travel 75% a year.
Obviously, the person who brought this complain has not travel a lot, not even in his own country. Instead of moaning and groaning, bring your complain to your local authorities and refrain from maligning your own!
Obviously, the person who brought this complain has not travel a lot, not even in his own country. Instead of moaning and groaning, bring your complain to your local authorities and refrain from maligning your own!
Jul 4th, 2007, 08:12 AM
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oop sorry for earlier post ( it was for another forum/mispost)..
i agree, almost all airports i know impose charges ( terminal fees etc). You should know better to have local money along. and with your 100 usdollar bill, you forgot about it and you accuse the person of swindling /stealing from you? what if they also forgot about it since ( as you mentioned) there was a long line and they have a lot of passengersto attend.Usually check in agents and airport personnels are themost frazzled in the airline industry since they have to check in / accomodate a lot of passengers in a limited amount of time ( to reach their flight). I think you need to check your behavior before complaining about others.
i agree, almost all airports i know impose charges ( terminal fees etc). You should know better to have local money along. and with your 100 usdollar bill, you forgot about it and you accuse the person of swindling /stealing from you? what if they also forgot about it since ( as you mentioned) there was a long line and they have a lot of passengersto attend.Usually check in agents and airport personnels are themost frazzled in the airline industry since they have to check in / accomodate a lot of passengers in a limited amount of time ( to reach their flight). I think you need to check your behavior before complaining about others.
Oct 12th, 2007, 05:10 AM
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Follow up.
I have been in and out of the Manila airport lots of times over the past 11 years - I have never encountered the problems you had!
My last trip was 4 months ago. First if you allow anyone to "help you navigate the check in procedures" that's your fault that you grossly over paid! Unless you are helpless and "not too sharp" why would you need help anyway?
Before you visit any country don't you read up on it first? Like the previous msgs said they do impose a departure fee, it's not a secret. The fee used to be 500 or 550 php for years!
Waving a 100 dollar bill around is stupid. Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance!
Your next visit to the P.I. will be much easier because you won't make the same stupid mistakes a second time!
I have been in and out of the Manila airport lots of times over the past 11 years - I have never encountered the problems you had!
My last trip was 4 months ago. First if you allow anyone to "help you navigate the check in procedures" that's your fault that you grossly over paid! Unless you are helpless and "not too sharp" why would you need help anyway?
Before you visit any country don't you read up on it first? Like the previous msgs said they do impose a departure fee, it's not a secret. The fee used to be 500 or 550 php for years!
Waving a 100 dollar bill around is stupid. Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance!
Your next visit to the P.I. will be much easier because you won't make the same stupid mistakes a second time!
Oct 12th, 2007, 06:08 AM
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i did not read all of this...
IT IS VERY COMMON FOR COUNTRIES TO CHARGE AN EXIT FEE THAT IS ONLY PAYABLE IN CASH.....in fact until last winter thailand charged such a fee that was only payable in cash with thai baht.....now, like in many countries it is added to your ticket price....
unfortunately i feel that you did not do your homework before embarking on this trip...
IT IS VERY COMMON FOR COUNTRIES TO CHARGE AN EXIT FEE THAT IS ONLY PAYABLE IN CASH.....in fact until last winter thailand charged such a fee that was only payable in cash with thai baht.....now, like in many countries it is added to your ticket price....
unfortunately i feel that you did not do your homework before embarking on this trip...
Oct 17th, 2007, 10:31 AM
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I am sorry to hear about your problems with the airport in Manila. From my travels, I have not found Manila any more different than most airports--hard to navigate (especially after crossing several time zones), various security measures, and a certain amount of red tape. My last trip to Asia was 2 years ago with my 1 1/2 year old son, alone. Needless to say, on top of the car seat and 2 days worth of baby supplies, I had my hands full literally. While in Japan, I stumbled and fell while carrying my boy, and no one offered to help. When I got to the Philippines, not only did I receive a lot of help, an airport employee offered to take him on his golf cart saving me from walking and getting me in front of the lines. Of course, I gave a tip for the help which to me was a VERY small price to pay after 18 hours of travel with a toddler. And I only hope that some have the same nice welcoming experience I had.
When traveling, we cannot and should not expect the same experiences we have at home. Each country have their idiosyncracies and requirements, and as visitors it is our obligation to observe and respect them.
When traveling, we cannot and should not expect the same experiences we have at home. Each country have their idiosyncracies and requirements, and as visitors it is our obligation to observe and respect them.
