General Info

[QUOTE=Skogis;1781940]Isn't T4 considered the airports intl LCC terminal? Have past it on numerous occations and don't think I ever will feel the urge to go there. It looks not very inviting and from what I read here I have been right all along. So I continue my biz from mostly T3 without worry to much about beeing scammed. What should worry people more and airlines too are the sloppy securitychecks. Not that I am traveller with an evil mind but my last departure eve 29 of Sept I walked through security with my iphone in my pocket and belt still on. The x ray beeped but the officer just waived me through. In my carry on I did have a 0. 5 l btl of water and ipad (I forgot the btl of water) and no one raised an eyebrow when my bag popped out from the machine. I normaly not forget this as I prep myself long time before I am even close to security check. Maybe a state of hornyfog.[/QUOTE]In August, I flew from Davao to MNL with Air Asia. Plane kept going until came to some small building. I never been at Terminal 4 before and it was obvious that I was in a 3rd world country with a 4th Class airport. Especially getting a taxi getting there was another experience since taxi drivers prefer other terminals apparently.

[QUOTE=Skogis;1781940]Isn't T4 considered the airports intl LCC terminal? Have past it on numerous occations and don't think I ever will feel the urge to go there. It looks not very inviting and from what I read here I have been right all along. So I continue my biz from mostly T3 without worry to much about beeing scammed. [/QUOTE]There is alot of hysteria here with regard to this report of the bullet scam at Terminal 4.

Lets take it in perspective.

Its terminal 4. I haven't used terminal 4 in 7 or 8 years. I used to use it to take Asian Spirit to fly to Samar. Once they built terminal 3 it sucked the majority of the life out of Terminal 4. There are ZERO international flights out of T4, thus its a purely pinoy airport with none of the scrutiny of an international airport and thus the 'single bullet" scam.

Was the scam used at Terminal 1, 2 or 3? They are very busy international airports I'm not saying there arent scammers there but lets look at this in a proper perspective. I'm not defending the Phils system as its corrupt as hell but if they start f*cking with international passengers at the main 3 airports where 98%+ of us foriegners end up using it will be a mess.

Be vigilant with your bags whenever you travel internationally for sure but keep the paranoia in perspective.

I flew out of T3 on Saturday. There were long lines outside for the baggage scanner. As stated before I always use the porters to avoid these lines and they use a separate short or no line scanner. What was funny was that NO one was standing within 10 feet of the scanner and the security scanner to the gates. I guess no security people want to be near the bags now.

Thanks to Cebu Pacific I've finally had the opportunity to witness what happens when one of the world's worst airlines meets one of the world's worst airports. The magnitude of the sheer incompetence transcends the pathetic and enters the realm of surrealism thus creating a sort of aviation theater of the absurd.

Yesterday, I had a Cebu Pacific ticket for my normal Manila-Davao flight, and arrived at the gate about 15 minutes to flight time. Now I know from bitter experience that for any airline using the wretched airport, schedules are at best optimistic estimates. A more accurate schedule would likely say something like: "maybe sometime today," instead of a specific time. Yesterday, as is typical of a Saturday, thousands of people milled around the various gates, as there's little seating. Nonetheless, I braved the crowds, got to the desk and realized that there was no sign for my flight. In fact no indication that there would even be a flight, and there was no aircraft parked at the gate.

I know that Cebu Pacific, which is the Edsel of aviation management, has outsourced its gate management responsibilities to some lackluster consultant company that hires young, untrained people to face the wrath of irate passengers. Their level of competence, never high to begin with, evaporated when I asked where the plane was, and when it might depart. The bottom line was that no one had any clue. Finally, one agent told me that the plane that was to have been utilized for the flight had been pulled off to service another route due to a sudden "emergency. " Of course this information wasn't shared with the general public. The same agent told me that, though there was no official word, the delay would probably be about two hours. Finally, I had the sense to check the official web site and realized that the flight was at least 4 hours delayed. Again information not shared with the 400 or so passengers waiting sheeplike for someone to tell them what to do. For me, this was an unusually stark sign of the total disdain that CP feels for its hapless passengers.

Once I realized that any hope of catching the flight would require waiting at least another four hours, I demanded, and received, a rebooking for the next day and simply left the airport. I've no idea when or even if my original flight left yesterday. Again, prior to my leaving, passengers were told there would be a two hour delay, which of course the gate agents knew to be a lie.

Today, while waiting for my rebooked flight, I noticed several flight crews, from many different flights, approaching the desk asking for information on where their planes were as the actual crews had no clue. These included 2 pilots who had no gate information, came this had no idea where to find their planes. I also had a chance to speak with the highly experienced captain on my flight today, who until this year was a Senior Captain with EtiHad. A real airline. He told me, shaking his head sadly, that yesterday he had to wait in the cockpit for four ours before he could get takeoff clearance. He said he only had another year until retirement and figured he could tough it out for that long.

At best, Cebu Pacific has never ranked higher than mediocre. This month however, its performance has declined dramatically. I'm going to try as hard as I can to avoid the airline in the future and I'll go back to PAL.

Had I written this yesterday, at the height of my anger, this would have been a more contemptuous rant. Now, it's merely a sharing of the resignation I feel, and the reconfirmation that nothing works well for long here.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1782803]Thanks to Cebu Pacific I've finally had the opportunity to witness what happens when one of the world's worst airlines meets one of the world's worst airports. The magnitude of the sheer incompetence transcends the pathetic and enters the realm of surrealism thus creating a sort of aviation theater of the absurd.

GE.[/QUOTE]GE,

I was speaking to one of the ladies who works for Cebu Pac and handles the gates in Cebu.

She said there were many unhappy passengers for reasons you stated but the issue from Cebu was NAIA would not the planes take off so they had to wait. Limited information was give to her either and so she could not impart much to the passengers.

She said the main reasons for delays (regardless of day / month / year) is the sub standard airport ad that the only way t try and get a on time departure is to leave early. But this does not guarantee on time arrival as you can still circle NAIA for 30 minutes waiting for a slot.

I have left early on a EK flight arrived (in the air that is) 20 minutes early and still landed very late all because if NAIA. My most recent flight from Cebu arrived on time but I took an early morning one.

I have also seen and spoken with pilots who were a tad annoyed the plane had moved or gate had changed without hem being told.

Am never sure where blame is to be apportioned but the politicians certainly do. They want an inquiry but then the lack of investment in an every busy airport is one of the reason.

Yes the communication sucks and for sure the girls (who agency employed not airline employed) are poorly trained. My fried had 10 day training and thrown I the deep end, but like many things with air travel one huge reason is NAIA.

PAL I have never used since I was royally messed around o 2 consecutive flights and if NIAA won't let Cebu Pac take off the same applies to all airline I would think.

As you have said before, the whole airport is a mess and the sector needs investment and energy the country does not have mainly as so many want to dip their hands into the pot. If the PAL idea for a new airport had been approved, if the someone would build high speed train links etc. To many 'ifs' IMHO and no political will to resolve. Now elections are looming and no one will do anything except make sure they can be re elected so to continue the gravy train.

I will continue to fly Cebu Pac but I am always taking morning flight very early where I have found less chance of issues. You are in Davao so matter maybe different and I understand that.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1782682]I flew out of T3 on Saturday. There were long lines outside for the baggage scanner. As stated before I always use the porters to avoid these lines and they use a separate short or no line scanner. What was funny was that NO one was standing within 10 feet of the scanner and the security scanner to the gates. I guess no security people want to be near the bags now.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1782803]Thanks to Cebu Pacific I've finally had the opportunity to witness what happens when one of the world's worst airlines meets one of the world's worst airports. The magnitude of the sheer incompetence transcends the pathetic and enters the realm of surrealism thus creating a sort of aviation theater of the absurd.[/QUOTE]The miserable Philippine economy demonstrates: The entire work ethic is based on avoiding personal blame rather than accomplishing anything for the customer or organization. Those who want to accomplish something leave. There are echoes of this even among OFWs and emigrants.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1782803]Thanks to Cebu Pacific I've finally had the opportunity to witness what happens when one of the world's worst airlines meets one of the world's worst airports. The magnitude of the sheer incompetence transcends the pathetic and enters the realm of surrealism thus creating a sort of aviation theater of the absurd.

GE.[/QUOTE]I am sorry about your bad experience. It is unfortunate how Cebu Pacific customer service is bad. My experience with AirAsia is much better even flies to Terminal 4. What is your opinion of AirAsia?

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1782803]Thanks to Cebu Pacific I've finally had the opportunity to witness what happens when one of the world's worst airlines meets one of the world's worst airports. The magnitude of the sheer incompetence transcends the pathetic and enters the realm of surrealism thus creating a sort of aviation theater of the absurd.[/QUOTE]Think I've been very lucky with Cebu Pacific, but all of my flights have been international to T3. Air Asia is generally the best low cost carrier in Asia, but even they have their moments of ineptitude. Any let's not forget the LCCs in Europe aren't actually much better, Ryanair are despicable in virtually every way.

[QUOTE=MrWoolyBooly;1782851]The miserable Philippine economy demonstrates: The entire work ethic is based on avoiding personal blame rather than accomplishing anything for the customer or organization. Those who want to accomplish something leave. There are echoes of this even among OFWs and emigrants.[/QUOTE]In my case I think thru orders or just common sense they are staying a full arms length away from any bags. I believe the bullet scam was only done by a few individuals.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1782903]I am sorry about your bad experience. It is unfortunate how Cebu Pacific customer service is bad. My experience with AirAsia is much better even flies to Terminal 4. What is your opinion of AirAsia?[/QUOTE]Air Asia internationally is good and I use a lot but internally I don't as for me it is always late. Seems unable to meet the standards of the international routes IMHO. Plus T4 is a real dog of a terminal. I used to fly SeaAir from T4 but I really avoid if I can.

As for Cebu Pac. Am also told the new system is casing lots of grief. Too many bugs with formation to counter staff being consistently worn (eg they are informed a plane is 2 hrs late and the it suddenly arrives) and passengers not being fed on tome or poor quality (after 3+ hrs delays Cebu ac feed you). Food that is ordered arrives late also which just fuels emotions. This is the managers fault for not thinking ahead and planning properly.

But all in all I still prefer Cebu Pac to PAL (given really bad experiences with PAL that I have yet to forget). As I said I try to fly very early to avoid NAIA issues and this most of the times helps me stay relaxed.

But the issues of NAIA won't go away anytime soon and will likely get worse as some carriers crease flights to the country (Emirates for example). So don't expect changes and as it is election year soon those in power won't care for anything but getting re elected.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1783084]In my case I think thru orders or just common sense they are staying a full arms length away from any bags. I believe the bullet scam was only done by a few individuals.[/QUOTE]While walking to final security in Terminal 3 yesterday, some woman in a blue uniform told me she would have to take my bag to weigh it. I ignored her, and when she caught up to me I refused to give her the bag. She then asked if she could see my boarding pass, which I showed to her. I then took back the boarding pass and walked away' and my hands never left my bag.

GE.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1783134]Air Asia internationally is good and I use a lot but internally I don't as for me it is always late. Seems unable to meet the standards of the international routes IMHO. Plus T4 is a real dog of a terminal. I used to fly SeaAir from T4 but I really avoid if I can.
[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, most of the airlines are plagued with different problems. PAL customer service is like loophole. Once you get in you can not get out. Maybe I am expecting to much since I am so used to of (mostly) honest customer service in USA.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1783134]Air Asia internationally is good and I use a lot but internally I don't as for me it is always late. Seems unable to meet the standards of the international routes IMHO. Plus T4 is a real dog of a terminal. I used to fly SeaAir from T4 but I really avoid if I can.

As for Cebu Pac. Am also told the new system is casing lots of grief. Too many bugs with formation to counter staff being consistently worn (eg they are informed a plane is 2 hrs late and the it suddenly arrives) and passengers not being fed on tome or poor quality (after 3+ hrs delays Cebu ac feed you). Food that is ordered arrives late also which just fuels emotions. This is the managers fault for not thinking ahead and planning properly.

But all in all I still prefer Cebu Pac to PAL (given really bad experiences with PAL that I have yet to forget). As I said I try to fly very early to avoid NAIA issues and this most of the times helps me stay relaxed.

But the issues of NAIA won't go away anytime soon and will likely get worse as some carriers crease flights to the country (Emirates for example). So don't expect changes and as it is election year soon those in power won't care for anything but getting re elected.[/QUOTE]There is a total inability to operate anything efficiently. Terminal 4 is awful. The "new" Terminal 3 is very crowded check-in side, roof leaks in heavy rain air side, travel scalators not functioning and toilet facilities air side poor. Terminal 2 International part (Philippine Airlines) is very very overcrowded (especially in evenings) with very few totally inadequate dirty, smelly toilets. Amazing: there is no departure board in that terminal. First time I have been in an international terminal anywhere with no departure board giving flight status. The chaos mentioned with Cebu Pacific is to be expected. Expect the same with aircraft servicing and crew training. On entering Manila airport have zero expectations, do not leave your bags out of eye view at security and try and SEAL your check in bags (zippers are easily opened). Watch everything around you as it is well publicized in the Philippine press that scamming is big business in Manila airport.

Yes, the country is falling into the abyss. Did Terminal 1 get it's air con back. Thank God I haven't had to enter that place lately. And the people movers in Terminal 3? I've never seen them work before. CP is apparently reverting to what it used to be and Philippine Airlines should be an embarrassment to the country. But they don't get embarrassed. They pull the pinoy pride thing and tell us we're arrogant. Few of us really are. We just expect things to work like the 2 ATMs down the street from where I live. This is the 2nd time in a week when they've both been "Temporarily Out of Service. " Now if I have to grab some cash, I have to travel 1 km and maybe, just maybe, that one will work.

What can these people possibly be so proud of?

From the time you enter the country in Terminal 1 you're wondering if you're in the 21st century. Then you have the army of maggots trying to screw you in any way possible. Then there's the traffic getting to where you want to go. Who ever heard of a city with 20 million people and just one major runway at its airport? Been coming here nearly 10 years now and living her for two. Maybe it's time to start looking.

[QUOTE=Slippery;1783710]Yes, the country is falling into the abyss. Did Terminal 1 get it's air con back. Thank God I haven't had to enter that place lately. And the people movers in Terminal 3? I've never seen them work before. CP is apparently reverting to what it used to be and Philippine Airlines should be an embarrassment to the country. But they don't get embarrassed. They pull the pinoy pride thing and tell us we're arrogant. Few of us really are. We just expect things to work like the 2 ATMs down the street from where I live. This is the 2nd time in a week when they've both been "Temporarily Out of Service. " Now if I have to grab some cash, I have to travel 1 km and maybe, just maybe, that one will work.

What can these people possibly be so proud of?

From the time you enter the country in Terminal 1 you're wondering if you're in the 21st century. Then you have the army of maggots trying to screw you in any way possible. Then there's the traffic getting to where you want to go. Who ever heard of a city with 20 million people and just one major runway at its airport? Been coming here nearly 10 years now and living her for two. Maybe it's time to start looking.[/QUOTE]As long as an apology comes their way, The Natives aren't complaining much.

Whats' your beef? LOL.

When there was a mini flood and for half a day the road was not usable for passengers, all the NAIA crew had to do was to say "bear with us".

When a guy fell into a hole and injured himself, the NAIA chief said "93.5% work is complete, once it 100% complete, there will no such mishap.

And locals are happy.