General Info

Can't think of another country where the national airport is closed because the Pope is visiting. Am not a Catholic or anything so really find all the fuss and drama well over the top. In Saudi they do at times close the airport for Ifthar (1 hour) and that is annoying but this is seriously silly IMHO.

This link tells you more as they also close the passenger concourse! Madness. The international carriers to T3 have no choice and expect lots of delays etc. I had plans to be travelling through Manila then but have changed those cuties who want to see the Pope have decided against it also as they don't want to be part of the 'crush' and see the Pope as a speck in the distance. As one said "we should see him, not the corrupt politicians who will kiss his hand" LOL.

[URL]http://www.margaritastation.com/readfull.php?m=1603[/URL]

Granted that virtually all forms of public transportation in the country suck, and, for the most part, they are deteriorating further with each passing year. However, I think that in general, Cebu Pacific is about as good as it gets here. I'm guessing that the frequent gate changes associated with its flights have less to do with the airline, and more to do with the pathetic facilities posing as an international airport. I think it's the airport authority that assigns gates. In my opinion--and his is after 10 years or so of flying PAL, Cebuc Pacific's planes are newer, cleaner and generally more comfortable than the antiques often flown by its primary rival.

As to the long queues, I avoid them all by buying my tickets on line, checking in on line, and printing my boarding pass at the same time. This precludes the need of standing in any lines, and allows you to go directly to the gate. No hassles at all.

Finally, prolonged flight delays are usually attributable to the wretched airport: one runway in use at a time, antiquated ground equipment, out-of-date terminal facilities in keeping with the general state of the country's poor infrastructure. Given all of he aforementioned, I think that Cebu Pacific does a pretty good job.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1664659] ......... I think it's the airport authority that assigns gates. In my opinion--and his is after 10 years or so of flying PAL, Cebuc Pacific's planes are newer, cleaner and generally more comfortable than the antiques often flown by its primary rival.
.........

I think that Cebu Pacific does a pretty good job.

GE.[/QUOTE]So far I know the providing authorities are:

Boarding pass: Airline authority.

Immigration: Home (the same authority controlling the police or others).

Gate No: Airport authority.

Its a whole team work doing any international airports all over the world. Unless it is China.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1664659]
Finally, prolonged flight delays are usually attributable to the wretched airport: one runway in use at a time, antiquated ground equipment, out-of-date terminal facilities in keeping with the general state of the country's poor infrastructure. Given all of he aforementioned, I think that Cebu Pacific does a pretty good job.GE.[/QUOTE]In this part of the world, surrounded by their "neighbouring" top notches intl airports, the phils shows just how much development they are able to perform. Nothing. Infact it becomes worse and worse and they are slacking behind. I guess money provided to airport developments probably ends up in the airport managments pockets. Our 550 piso paid when we depart are atleast not used to any development whatsoever (the same walkways at T3 have been out of order for a good year now, infact I don't know if they ever worked).

Instant change of gates and the terrible infrastructural situation is not the airlines fault. In the atc tower it is designated people working the groundoperations (taxiing, parking etc of aircrafts). Late pushback of an aircraft will prevent an arriving one not beeing able to doc at the designated gate. Having many of this situations in one time many gatechanges are bound to happen. Much of this hazzle is closely attached to eachother.

Cebu Pacific uses my terminal of choice (T3) and by this PAL (intl flights) and other airlines not using mentioned terminal are of no interest. I mostly run the BKK. MNL - BKK routine. Having used PAL quite sometime before I find as GE Cebu Pacific to be more modern and so far on my behalf their online performance have been excellent on mentioned route.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1664659] I think that in general, Cebu Pacific is about as good as it gets here. I'm guessing that the frequent gate changes associated with its flights have less to do with the airline, and more to do with the pathetic facilities posing as an international airport. I think it's the airport authority that assigns gates. In my opinion--and his is after 10 years or so of flying PAL, Cebuc Pacific's planes are newer, cleaner and generally more comfortable than the antiques often flown by its primary rival.

As to the long queues, I avoid them all by buying my tickets on line, checking in on line, and printing my boarding pass at the same time. This precludes the need of standing in any lines, and allows you to go directly to the gate. No hassles at all.

Finally, prolonged flight delays are usually attributable to the wretched airport: one runway in use at a time, antiquated ground equipment, out-of-date terminal facilities in keeping with the general state of the country's poor infrastructure. Given all of he aforementioned, I think that Cebu Pacific does a pretty good job.

GE.[/QUOTE]The airport authority assigns the gate not the airline and the changes can be annoying.

In Dubai last week the gate for one departure was changed from an "A" gate to a "B" gate. Sounds small but involves a train and lots of time (up to 25 minutes) walking. The airport is to blame as Emirates pointed this out politely to anyone who asked why they had to effectively change terminals!

I agree with you GE about Cebu Pac and I fly them always. The issue is the hugely poor NAIA facilities that mean the traffic congestion of aircraft is huge by mid afternoon and so the budget airlines get to the back of the queue and delays get even longer. So now I fly very early morning whenever I can to try and avoid this.

I have flown PAL twice and both times it was the most miserable and frustrating experience so I use Cebu Pac as I can't trust PAL. When Zest was stand alone it was worse than PAL IMHO now it is Air Asia Zest it tends to use the older aircraft internally for domestic flights (flown it once and never again) but perversely I will fly Air Asia in Asia as that is a good airline (recent tragedy notwithstanding).

The issues are not the airline IMHO as much as the airports, too small, lacking any investment, run by those whoa re political appointees who have limited operational / sector experience. Cebu Pac has newer aircraft also, cleaner brighter as well IMHO so then it is down to price and mostly there is limited difference.

[QUOTE=Slippery;1664632]I'm trying to pay my cards right now and both websites for both airlines are down. What an e'ffin country.[/QUOTE]Two days later, I continue to be unable to login to either CP or PAL. I can't even pull their websites up. CP directs me to my internet provider and PAL says their system is down.

Be warned if you have flights on January 15 or 19 with Cebu Pacific you might find that the flights, especially domestic ones but also some international ones, are cancelled.

Why?

Because Pope Francis is visiting the Philippines and the country will shut down between those dates.

There are national holidays declared for Jan 15,16 and 19. I can't believe that Monday is a holiday; he leaves on that day to go home.

Unbelievable.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1665154]Be warned if you have flights on January 15 or 19 with Cebu Pacific you might find that the flights, especially domestic ones but also some international ones, are cancelled.

Why?

Because Pope Francis is visiting the Philippines and the country will shut down between those dates.

There are national holidays declared for Jan 15,16 and 19. I can't believe that Monday is a holiday; he leaves on that day to go home.

Unbelievable.[/QUOTE]Well the main complaint from Cebu and other cities is why only Manila. All want time off to 'celebrate'. I saw the late Pope John Paul, he drove around Westminster (UK for those geographically challenged) and I waved to him while drinking coffee and having a bun at a coffee shop. Then back to work and the UK did not close.

This is another stupid holiday IMHO to appeal to the masses as 2016 is election year. Imagine all the pork barrel politico lining up to kiss his hand and yet the Yolanda sufferer don't get much time. Am sure Kris Aquino will LOL.

Not only Cebu Pac EK and others need to reschedule etc as their arrivals and / departure times clash. Totally amazing and will be a traffic nightmare and am sure some will miss flights. This is the way to show the world how to grow your economy LOL.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1665154]Be warned if you have flights on January 15 or 19 with Cebu Pacific you might find that the flights, especially domestic ones but also some international ones, are cancelled.

Why?

Because Pope Francis is visiting the Philippines and the country will shut down between those dates.

There are national holidays declared for Jan 15,16 and 19. I can't believe that Monday is a holiday; he leaves on that day to go home.

Unbelievable.[/QUOTE]In fact I asked a sensible Filipino crowd in Singapore why the Pope can't fly to Clark and be choppered to Manila.

They couldn't reply, other than one guy admitting that the Ayalas and Lopezs wouldn't have it any other way!

WR, I too have been bussed in when I came by PAL, and another time, we were sitting in the plane while the pilot repeated that there are no available gates!!

Pip Jaeger, if any politico comes out against any dominant airline, telco or anything, don't ever believe them. They are just doing lip service, playing to the gallery. While being in the invitee list of the businessmen and not going to upset that in any way.

And if any law gets passed, that will be the likes of 'compulsory serving of half portion rice' authored by BBM!

Just that's what I feel happens in PH!

Then again Cebu Pac is a LCC, and LCCs operate on thin margin, and that includes rescheduling flights with low seat sale, pretty common almost anywhere in Asia!

Good point.

Do you think the ferries will be affected. I might have to go from Cebu to Tagbilaran.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1665154]Be warned if you have flights on January 15 or 19 with Cebu Pacific you might find that the flights, especially domestic ones but also some international ones, are cancelled.

Why?

Because Pope Francis is visiting the Philippines and the country will shut down between those dates.

There are national holidays declared for Jan 15,16 and 19. I can't believe that Monday is a holiday; he leaves on that day to go home.

Unbelievable.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Trykydyky;1665253]Good point.

Do you think the ferries will be affected. I might have to go from Cebu to Tagbilaran.[/QUOTE]Thats pretty far from the Papal activities no worry there. No plans for Francis to have a photo op with a Tarsier.

I have taken that Fast Cat from Cebu to Bohol a few times and Cebu to Siquijor once. Its was always a pleasant experience. Aircon and comfortable seats and pretty cheap too I think like $12?

Alona beach is nice in the evenings. I always brought a girl so not sure about the PUA there.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1665154].....Pope Francis is visiting the Philippines and the country will shut down between those dates.[/QUOTE]Yes the country is building up to go crazy for and during the Papal visit. It will make the Black Nazarene like a walk in the park.

I have just read that there will no special bullet-proof vehicles or Popemobiles for his visit. Instead one of the Archbishops has called on his flock to "storm heaven with safety prayers". Mmmmm, I hope that this is sufficient to protect the Pope's welfare. But if not, if there is some Papal catastrophe, I wonder if the Archbishop will say "oh well, that was God's will".

[QUOTE=KongKing;1665480]Yes the country is building up to go crazy for and during the Papal visit. It will make the Black Nazarene like a walk in the park.

I have just read that there will no special bullet-proof vehicles or Popemobiles for his visit. Instead one of the Archbishops has called on his flock to "storm heaven with safety prayers". Mmmmm, I hope that this is sufficient to protect the Pope's welfare. But if not, if there is some Papal catastrophe, I wonder if the Archbishop will say "oh well, that was God's will".[/QUOTE]The church did the same when Yolanda was coming, asking all to pray so there would be no damage and death etc. And look how that turned out.

But am sure the Pope will be safe and the church will then say "look at the power of prayer" conveniently ignoring the Yolanda failure (cherry pick the news like others do in the Philippines).

Apart from saying nothing after the event the church to my knowledge did bugger all to help any of the victims, preferring to keeps the nuns and priests with cash for food to fill their bellies LOL (well I for one have never seen a fat priest / nun in this country, seen some with IPhone 6, Samsung and IPads though).

[QUOTE=KongKing;1665480]Yes the country is building up to go crazy for and during the Papal visit. It will make the Black Nazarene like a walk in the park.

I have just read that there will no special bullet-proof vehicles or Popemobiles for his visit. Instead one of the Archbishops has called on his flock to "storm heaven with safety prayers". Mmmmm, I hope that this is sufficient to protect the Pope's welfare. But if not, if there is some Papal catastrophe, I wonder if the Archbishop will say "oh well, that was God's will".[/QUOTE]Luckily nobody decided to build a Pope-mobile from a Jeepney template! Jeepney, the pride of Philippines, and most unsafe, crappy vehicle, but it does serve a purpose = poor man's public transport!

Wicked Roger: I thought the church claimed that prayers reduced the deaths. Trust me, that kind of wordings evoke strong religious emotions. In Pinas!

As a visitor of the RP as most or all of us are and with some respect the posters, I don't understand how some can compare or judge the customs, beliefs, faiths or even holidays in the RP. RP is what it is. As us Mericans would say "love it or leave it".