Angeles City

[QUOTE=SouthEaster;2121955]Mr E,

Perhaps a foolish question but I check in here fairly often and have never heard mention of a Genesis bus. Is this some new alternative direct from NAIA to AC? Be great news if so. I normally fly into and out of Clark and avoid Manila but in the next few months may have to go through NAIA at least once so any options other than taxi or taxi, bus trike would be welcome.

SE.[/QUOTE]Yes, there indeed a new service Clark airport-SM Angeles-Terminal 3 NAIA, Bay 14. At the AC end it starts at the side main drive way entrance of AC SM mall (not the two large jeepney terminal exits), where the hotel pickups stop. At the driveway there are a few seats for waiting passengers and a bus time table. Buses look good. Very low key advertising, not sure why. I understand the service runs on time, again a mystery as EDSA will kill any timetable!

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2121632]I doubt that I would ever leave home if I was as afraid as a lot of mongers seem to be. A few days ago in my city a lady was leaving work at Publix grocery store and they found her dead in the trunk of her car. I guess that means nobody should ever go to the grocery store. Or maybe that nobody should ever work.

Shit happens. Not saying to go walk in the middle of the projects with your best gold on, but we are talking about a fucking bus station. Like Shark, I have done it 100 times and never a hitch. Frankly I wish I was lucky enough to have a flight that got in so late to avoid the hideous traffic.

On the 14th when I arrived, I took the Genesis bus that left the airport at 3 pm. I did not arrive in AC at SM Mall until 6:35 pm. Hell it took 2 hours to even get up to Quezon City. At least 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot which is the airport driveway as you can see in the pic.

P.S. I am happy to finally hear a first hand account (Red Kilt's - although unfortunate) of something happening instead of all the friend of a friend ghost stories.[/QUOTE]I know you had a big delay on EDSA. The Christmas frenzy started first week December and traffic congestion went manic. Do not forget to go to the CR first as things could get uncomfortable!

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2121246]All is calculated risk. Of course there is no wholesale targeting of foreigners, of geese who lay golden eggs. This is not downtown Kabul and nor are we General Custer, strolling into Sitting Bull's turf looking for a casual bonk. Last time I was in Angeles, I met retired members of the US Special Forces who told me of muggings outside our hotel at reasonable hours and of trike jacking etc. It would be silly to say this stuff does not go on in Angeles or in Pattaya where it is better documented.

Logic tells us there are poor local guys waiting to roll richer foreign guys when the opportunity presents itself and that they will use guns, knives or iron bars to tilt the odds. Although Angeles may be safer than Latin American favellas, it is not safe.

In answer to my own query, I figure the airport to Pasay is safe, as is Pasay to Angeles but Dau station and a trike with money and stuff in the early hours is not worth the risk. Strolling around at 3-4 am, with eyes on me is just not worth the risk.[/QUOTE]Look through the eyes of the thief. A guy arriving in AC is loaded with pussy cash and is a target to any thief with even a low IQ. A guy leaving AC has empty pockets!

[QUOTE=SouthEaster;2121955]Mr E,

Perhaps a foolish question but I check in here fairly often and have never heard mention of a Genesis bus. Is this some new alternative direct from NAIA to AC? Be great news if so. I normally fly into and out of Clark and avoid Manila but in the next few months may have to go through NAIA at least once so any options other than taxi or taxi, bus trike would be welcome.

SE.[/QUOTE]Not foolish at all, I just happened upon this when I was considering going to AC myself (opted out for another game plan for this Spring, maybe next year). This appears to be a new option, which sadly enough, is best advertised on Facebook (of all places).

[URL]https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/15/p2p-buses-start-ferrying-passengers-from-naia-to-clark-intl-airport-vice-versa/[/URL]

[URL]http://primer.com.ph/blog/2017/09/15/clark-to-naia-p2p-bus-service-now-available/[/URL]

However, it seems the bus company, Genesis, is too halfass to even keep a website up.

[URL]http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/gtsi/terminals.html[/URL] (This type of "halfassness" is one reason why the PI is not my next destination).

Looks like it stops at a mall in Angeles, as well as CRK. Apparently, you need to go to Facebook to get the actual schedule from Genesis.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/GenesisTransportInc/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/GenesisTransportInc/photos/a.1939201843001295.1073741832.1698196683768480/1949473231974156/?type=3[/URL]

Yeah, Facebook. If that isn't halfass, I'll kiss your ass. So, if Mr. E is actually going through NAIA, he should check it out for us, and tell us how it went.

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;2122091]Yes, there indeed a new service Clark airport-SM Angeles-Terminal 3 NAIA, Bay 14. At the AC end it starts at the side main drive way entrance of AC SM mall (not the two large jeepney terminal exits), where the hotel pickups stop. At the driveway there are a few seats for waiting passengers and a bus time table. Buses look good. Very low key advertising, not sure why. I understand the service runs on time, again a mystery as EDSA will kill any timetable![/QUOTE]If you scroll down their facebook page there is a schedule.

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;2122091]Yes, there indeed a new service Clark airport-SM Angeles-Terminal 3 NAIA, Bay 14. At the AC end it starts at the side main drive way entrance of AC SM mall (not the two large jeepney terminal exits), where the hotel pickups stop. At the driveway there are a few seats for waiting passengers and a bus time table. Buses look good. Very low key advertising, not sure why. I understand the service runs on time, again a mystery as EDSA will kill any timetable![/QUOTE]The SM City Clark stop is outside near the main entrance where French Baker and Pizza Hut are located. The stop is further outside near the flag poles. Look for the flag poles. This is known as the flag pole stop.

Does anyone know if this bus to NAIA T-3 stops at T-1 and does it pick up at T-1 on the trip to Clark?

[QUOTE=Zman429;2121582]Not something I'm going to do when I can arrange for a car via the hotel that will get me there safe and sound for $50 USD or 2700 pesos. I don't think saving $40 is worth the trouble or risk when I don't know my way around.[/QUOTE]When I was in Manila a few weeks ago I found lots of taxi's wanting 2,500 php to go to Angeles and some even offering to go for 2,000.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2121586]It still happens.

Random and opportunistic. It happens often in jeepneys.

Last one that I recall on a bus occurred along EDSA in the middle of busy traffic near the turn off to the SLEX past Magallanes around June/July this year.

Two guys in a team. They were thwarted by an off-duty rookie cop who became a hero by tackling one of the guys and got himself shot in the foot for his trouble.

Despite ones logical assumptions about quiet and out of the way places, my friend in the NBI tells me that the most likely place where crimes occur are in the really busy places where there are lots of people which allows the crooks to escape easily into the crowds. That happened to me in front of SM Megamall in a crowd of people when I was divested of some possessions. No chance of pursuit. They vanished into the swarm of people.[/QUOTE]IMHO, happens everywhere but more frequently in some places. My experience is that you will receive almost no help, if you are by yourself, whether it is a developed or third world country. Most people that come at you will have at least one accomplice. In New York, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Jakarta and Manila are just some of the places where attempts have been made on me.

Raising attention does not bring official or non official assistance in time. I have tired raising a commotion while following the people as they tried to disappear into the crowd or go down side streets (I ain't that stupid). Assistance, if any, will arrive too late usually. Weapons were not usually used in busy areas. Never go down deserted streets unless you have to and, on those occasions walk down the center of the street so you can see people approaching and hopefully you can out run the assailants.

The PI is different because some do have guns. Whether or not they will successfully fire is another issue.

Someone on ISG posted security suggestions which is similar to what I have practiced for several decades. Knock on wood, I have not had any bad experiences.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2121559]I think bus travelling is safe but the early hours are not worth the risk. If the wrong people clap eyes on me at 3 am at Dau, my race is run. 99 times out of 100 it would be safe but I don't want to be Mr 100. I'll stay in Manila where I have an interesting playmate.[/QUOTE]Getting the bus from Dau bus station to Manila during the day is a real hassle. First you get a trike to the station from AC. Then trying to actually get your luggage stowed in the hold and yourself onto the crowded bus is a nightmare, particularly with a swarm of street urchins circling. The street urchins are either trying to go through your pockets or trying to get your luggage stowed in return for a tip. There's just too much pushing and shoving trying to get on and you don't know if your luggage has been stolen or is safe until you get to Manila.

I now just get the taxi from margarita station which is around 2,600.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2122372]Getting the bus from Dau bus station to Manila during the day is a real hassle. First you get a trike to the station from AC. Then trying to actually get your luggage stowed in the hold and yourself onto the crowded bus is a nightmare, particularly with a swarm of street urchins circling. The street urchins are either trying to go through your pockets or trying to get your luggage stowed in return for a tip. There's just too much pushing and shoving trying to get on and you don't know if your luggage has been stolen or is safe until you get to Manila.

I now just get the taxi from margarita station which is around 2,600.[/QUOTE]Last time, the bus from Dau to Pasay and the airport worked a charm. Finished bonking, gave the skank a tip and a pat of the bum to send her on her way, trike to Dau, bus to Pasay and a shuttle bus (150 PHP?) parked next to my bus to the airport. Perfect logistically even if the Manila traffic was awful. I tend to pack light and defensively, keeping all valuables close to hand. I have met guys in Thailand who lost everything (so they said). Once, getting a night time taxi from Pattaya to the airport, the guy stopped mid way and a guy got into the back seat. I was ready to fight to the death (stupidly) but it was just a mate of his.

The money aside, it is these crowds we try to avoid as we get older. In London a bus driver told me how junkies try to regularly rob his cargo. On a long trip up the Mekong, the bus driver motioned me at every stop to watch my stuff.

I can handle most bus station chaos and I always try to keep an eye on where my stuff is (ditto going through airport security) but the early hours with luggage would mean I run too high a chance of being in someone's cross hairs. And I have got stories form reputable sources in Pampanga.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2122178]In New York, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Jakarta and Manila are just some of the places where attempts have been made on me.

The PI is different because some do have guns.[/QUOTE]Wait a motherfucking got damn minute. I, for one, am not about to let this bullshit slide by. You mean to say that someone has tried to rob you MORE than 8 different times in MORE than 8 different places? I have been to all of the places that you name many times over and not once has anyone attempted to rob me, and I have been known to hang in some shady ass places.

This shit right here lets me know that it just may not be the place as much as it is the person. Do yourself a favor. Next time one of these attempts is made, tell the robber to pause. Tell him that you will give him all of your money, no problem. But tell him to first tell you why does everyone keep trying to fucking rob you wherever you go. You need answers dude. And believe it or not, PI is not the only place where robbers carry guns.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2122178]Someone on ISG posted security suggestions which is similar to what I have practiced for several decades. Knock on wood, I have not had any bad experiences.[/QUOTE]Man you are confusing the shit out of us. First you say someone has tried to rob you more than 8 times, then you say you have not had any bad experiences. Do you not count being robbed as a bad experience? I don't know what kind of security you have been practicing, but if it had caused me to get robbed more than 8 times, then I would consider switching it up. I don't practice any stinking security and again have never had anyone try to rob me.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2122411]Wait a motherfucking got damn minute. I, for one, am not about to let this bullshit slide by. You mean to say that someone has tried to rob you MORE than 8 different times in MORE than 8 different places? I have been to all of the places that you name many times over and not once has anyone attempted to rob me, and I have been known to hang in some shady ass places.

This shit right here lets me know that it just may not be the place as much as it is the person. Do yourself a favor. Next time one of these attempts is made, tell the robber to pause. Tell him that you will give him all of your money, no problem. But tell him to first tell you why does everyone keep trying to fucking rob you wherever you go. You need answers dude. And believe it or not, PI is not the only place where robbers carry guns.

Man you are confusing the shit out of us. First you say someone has tried to rob you more than 8 times, then you say you have not had any bad experiences. Do you not count being robbed as a bad experience? I don't know what kind of security you have been practicing, but if it had caused me to get robbed more than 8 times, then I would consider switching it up. I don't practice any stinking security and again have never had anyone try to rob me.[/QUOTE]Wow. Sorry for the confusion.

The security article is written in another ISG thread. I think Colombia.

Getting an attempted robbery is not that bad experience in my books, it goes with the territory of traveling. Unfortunately, it is still common in the US and many other places. I cannot control it so I just accept it as a price of living or traveling. No ER visits or police station visits or major loses. Knew and heard of guys who ended up in the ER or with worse injuries and loses.

I actually avoid dangerous places, to a degree but I do take calculated risks. What I am is very aware of my surroundings and that is what allowed me to escape most attempts or see it coming. In most of the cases I was either alone or effectively alone; meaning I would not be able to depend on my companion to fight. In a couple of the cases, it was my companion that was the primary target.

Sometimes I know I am a target because I am in a suit or carrying expensive accessories. I am also long in the tooth so have be trekking around a long time.

You are fortunate if you have not had any attempts. I was Bangkok several weeks back and taking some friends around and could not believe the number of scammers around nowadays. Different type of robbery. Just a silver tongue.

As for the PI, I don't take the buses as many in this thread do. I travel with too much tech. I don't have a safe place to leave it if I need to travel between cities.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2122426]Getting an attempted robbery is not that bad experience in my books, it goes with the territory of traveling.[/QUOTE]LOL! Really?

I don't think you should travel, if you REALLY get robbed all the time. LOL!

Since I've started traveling extensively from the late 90's, I've been robbed twice, both non-violent. Once I was picked on the Songthaew bus in Pattaya. Luckily, it was just before I was going to the ATM. Only lost about $40. The other time was in Angeles couple of years ago. I went into a jeepney at the main station at the end of Fields. One guy came and sat next to me, forcing me closer to the other guy. It was way too crowded, even for Pinoy standards. This raised my rip-off alarm. I had my hands on my wallet and cell phone in my pockets. At mid-way, they got off, and I realized they took my coin purse which had about 80 cents. Due to principle, that episode was very irritating. I hate to be robbed.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2122426]Knew and heard of guys who ended up in the ER or with worse injuries and loses.[/QUOTE]Geez! I don't meet those type of people. Of course you read about those stories, if you read a lot. Crime happens in almost every city in the world.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2122426]I was Bangkok several weeks back and taking some friends around and could not believe the number of scammers around nowadays. Different type of robbery. Just a silver tongue.[/QUOTE]LOL! Robberies and scams must follow you around. LOL! How many scams are there? Years ago, they had the jem scam. Are they still around? Once I met a Nigerian that wanted to talk business with me. Supposedly he was rich, but he was taking the cheap non A/C buses. LOL! Then you have the touts that wants to take you to the massage places for their commission. Not really a scam, IMO. Then you have the rip-off ping pong shows at Patpong. That's a scam that's still around.

Are you that same "guy" that's writing that it's suicide to go out after midnight in Phnom Penh? That guy is a moron.

My own experiences in the past 30 years of international travel. 2 attempts in Mazatlan on the same day. Once on the street 2 guys were getting ready to do a snatch as one waved money in my face while the other tried to sneak up behind me. Then on the bus back to the hotel a pickpocket had his hand all the way in my front pocket where I keep my money. I turned to tell my girl that our stop was next and felt it. Tight jeans too. He removed his hand and tried to look invisible. We got off the bus without further commotion. In Bangkok a trio of adolescent Cambo girls waved flowers in my face while removing small bills from my shirt pocket. Since we all look alike they tried it on me again 20 minutes later. I caught the oldest and did not let go until the police arrived. Some do-good English speaking Thai woman told me I could not restrain the girl. The police were happy to get her though. They claim they deported her. They were all back on the street 2 days later. I too was picked on the baht bus in Pattaya. They got my passport with $300 US in it from a buttoned cargo pocket. Lesson learned on that location. 2 women tried to pick me in a Thai supermarket as one asked me about cheese I was looking at while the other came up behind me. If it seems weird. Look around.

[QUOTE=Crazy4Thai;2122595]My own experiences in the past 30 years of international travel. 2 attempts in Mazatlan on the same day. Once on the street 2 guys were getting ready to do a snatch as one waved money in my face while the other tried to sneak up behind me. Then on the bus back to the hotel a pickpocket had his hand all the way in my front pocket where I keep my money. I turned to tell my girl that our stop was next and felt it. Tight jeans too. He removed his hand and tried to look invisible. We got off the bus without further commotion. In Bangkok a trio of adolescent Cambo girls waved flowers in my face while removing small bills from my shirt pocket. Since we all look alike they tried it on me again 20 minutes later. I caught the oldest and did not let go until the police arrived. Some do-good English speaking Thai woman told me I could not restrain the girl. The police were happy to get her though. They claim they deported her. They were all back on the street 2 days later. I too was picked on the baht bus in Pattaya. They got my passport with $300 US in it from a buttoned cargo pocket. Lesson learned on that location. 2 women tried to pick me in a Thai supermarket as one asked me about cheese I was looking at while the other came up behind me. If it seems weird. Look around.[/QUOTE]I've now been traveling for more than 40 years, throughout all of SE Asia, a good part of Africa, much of Eastern Europe as well as Western Europe. I've lived / worked / traveled in 55 or 56 countries, and in all of those times, and through all of those countries was robbed exactly once-in Paris, in broad daylight, on one of the nicest areas of the left bank. I've never had problems anywhere in Thailand or the Philippines, despite having walked solo throughout Angeles City several times. Perhaps I've just been lucky, or perhaps it's the fact that in third world countries I never take public transportation. For me, it's not an "adventure" but an uncomfortable, easily avoidable hassle. I carry nothing but a credit or debit card, a driver's license and enough cash to get me through the night and I take a private car or a taxi to wherever I'm going.

GE.