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[QUOTE=ChochaMonger;2160941]Nothing new here. Bar girls who fail hygiene routinely, work through their "tulo" (clap) by freelancing at discos and online.[/QUOTE]I think they never fail the hygiene exam. The bar managers can let them pass the exam by handing over some tea money to the doctor.
So they keep on working in the bar if they have an STD.
I wanted to see whether anybody else has recently experienced what I encountered when I left Manila for the states via Incheon. Coming through Incheon via Delta and Korean Air to Manila two weeks ago I found the immigration clearance routing a little inefficient, but nothing like the intrusive experience I experienced returning to the states this Monday morning. American-bound transfer passengers were subjected to a grilling by a gaggle of officious young Korean women. They asked numerous questions about the purpose of my visit and what I was carrying with me, but especially wanted to know about all the electronics I was carrying. They wanted to know when I had purchased each, whether I had purchased them myself, or whether anybody had given me any of them to carry. They seemed especially focused on tablets and laptops. Only those headed to the states got this special attention. I asked my questioner tersely about the reason for all the attention. She said they were responding to requests from the USA Transportation Security Agency. The same process was repeated by the same female inquisitors for everybody at the gate check-in a few hours later. Nobody was permitted through without a special security sticker on the back of the passport.
So I am wondering if anybody experienced the same accelerated treatment in Tokyo or other transfer points to the USA, or whether this is just Korean hierarchical bureaucracy run amok. Returning through Dallas-Fort Worth, I noticed that immigration clearance was very perfunctory and all self-reported and automated, but the security checkpoint seemed to be swarming with TSA agents and a very deliberate dog-sniffing team.
[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2165325]I wanted to see whether anybody else has recently experienced what I encountered when I left Manila for the states via Incheon. Coming through Incheon via Delta and Korean Air to Manila two weeks ago I found the immigration clearance routing a little inefficient, but nothing like the intrusive experience I experienced returning to the states this Monday morning. American-bound transfer passengers were subjected to a grilling by a gaggle of officious young Korean women. They asked numerous questions about the purpose of my visit and what I was carrying with me, but especially wanted to know about all the electronics I was carrying. .. The same process was repeated by the same female inquisitors for everybody at the gate check-in a few hours later. Nobody was permitted through without a special security sticker on the back of the passport.
So I am wondering if anybody experienced the same accelerated treatment in Tokyo or other transfer points to the USA, or whether this is just Korean hierarchical bureaucracy run amok. Returning through Dallas-Fort Worth, I noticed that immigration clearance was very perfunctory and all self-reported and automated, but the security checkpoint seemed to be swarming with TSA agents and a very deliberate dog-sniffing team.[/QUOTE]I had a similar experience at MNL Terminal 2 when flying PAL from MNL to HNL. The security guard, female, says it began in Feb. No question about electronics, cause I did not have any. Her questions were standard security questions about packing the bags, were the bags ever out of sight, etc. So, it happened in Manila / PAL airlines also.
My first post. I'm planning a visit to the Philippines in a couple of months for some are&are. How and when is it best to change US $ into P $. I can convert in states but sure don't want to travel with large amount of cash either US $ or P $s. How about paying in us $, do they take it and do you get P $ as change? Consider exchange fees. Thanks. FT.
[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2165325]I wanted to see whether anybody else has recently experienced what I encountered when I left Manila for the states via Incheon. [/QUOTE]I returned a few weeks ago on Asiana from Manila to the USA via Inchon. No problems whatsoever. A cursory check of boarding pass for the flight to the USA (that I received in Manila) and my passport. Had lots of electronics in my carry on, and didn't have to open any bag other than take my laptop out of my backpack. There were signs about increased security because of the Olympics (they were over by the time I traveled), but I didn't notice any increased measures.
Late last year returned on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, and again just a cursory check of the boarding pass and passport.
Often I return via Tokyo on United and have never encountered a problem at the transfer point.
[QUOTE=ForkTruck;2165667]My first post. I'm planning a visit to the Philippines in a couple of months for some are&are. How and when is it best to change US $ into P $. I can convert in states but sure don't want to travel with large amount of cash either US $ or P $s. How about paying in us $, do they take it and do you get P $ as change? Consider exchange fees. Thanks. FT.[/QUOTE]Bring some USD and change on the ground in Philippines. DO NOT use your at home money changers. You will be ripped off.
Also, just withdraw money via ATM P10,000 at a time, P250 fee. The direct exchange rate this way is always better than any airport counter or USA bank.
There is also a strict (but un-monitored) limit of Philippine Peso which can be carried in or out of the country. I think it's P10,000 so it really is useless to change money outside of Philippines.
Most people over-estimate the amount of local currency they will need. Suggest paying your hotel room via credit card which is the biggest drain on currency.
BD.
[QUOTE=BrainDrain;2165712]Also, just withdraw money via ATM P10,000 at a time, P250 fee. The direct exchange rate this way is always better than any airport counter or USA bank.[/QUOTE]I have found exchange rates in most international airports to be nearly usury. Like 30 pesos to one dollar in Tokyo and other airports. The one exception is the three terminals in Manila. On my most recent trip they were giving 51.95 to $1. This was compared to 52.1 at money changers in the city. Considering the 250 peso charge for local ATMs, the NAIA airport exchange rate is better. The other difficulty is having to carry a bunch of currency from your home country. The ATM route that BD recommends is a good compromise.
Welcome to the new normal.
All US bound flights are now subject to enhanced security. On top of the bag and water bottle screening at the gate.
This began rolling out in the fall last year in some areas and all classes and passengers were affected. The questions were obnoxious or stupid or rhetorical but I refrained from cracking any jokes because I guess they were designed for my safety.
In some areas, in town check-in facilities for US bound flights were closed. In a way, I can understand this because of the security incidents in the States. Guess it is even worse overseas. At least I can bring my tablet and laptop and phone on board. However, I think they are not as good as El al.
[QUOTE=SoapySmsith;2165325]I wanted to see whether anybody else has recently experienced what I encountered when I left Manila for the states via Incheon. Coming through Incheon via Delta and Korean Air to Manila two weeks ago I found the immigration clearance routing a little inefficient, but nothing like the intrusive experience I experienced returning to the states this Monday morning. American-bound transfer passengers were subjected to a grilling by a gaggle of officious young Korean women. They asked numerous questions about the purpose of my visit and what I was carrying with me, but especially wanted to know about all the electronics I was carrying. They wanted to know when I had purchased each, whether I had purchased them myself, or whether anybody had given me any of them to carry. They seemed especially focused on tablets and laptops. Only those headed to the states got this special attention. I asked my questioner tersely about the reason for all the attention. She said they were responding to requests from the USA Transportation Security Agency. The same process was repeated by the same female inquisitors for everybody at the gate check-in a few hours later. Nobody was permitted through without a special security sticker on the back of the passport.
So I am wondering if anybody experienced the same accelerated treatment in Tokyo or other transfer points to the USA, or whether this is just Korean hierarchical bureaucracy run amok. Returning through Dallas-Fort Worth, I noticed that immigration clearance was very perfunctory and all self-reported and automated, but the security checkpoint seemed to be swarming with TSA agents and a very deliberate dog-sniffing team.[/QUOTE]
It has been discussed here and on ther tgreads. RTFF.
Basically, avoid exchanging in US. Get your exchange on arrival. Either USD cash to local or just withdraw at ATM. FX at airport varies so don't exchange everything. Best way is to use a no foreign transaction fee credit card and ATM card. Second best is cash in large denomination and exchange in town at a shop or money changer. Watch for slight of hand magic tricks.
[QUOTE=ForkTruck;2165667]My first post. I'm planning a visit to the Philippines in a couple of months for some are&are. How and when is it best to change US $ into P $. I can convert in states but sure don't want to travel with large amount of cash either US $ or P $s. How about paying in us $, do they take it and do you get P $ as change? Consider exchange fees. Thanks. FT.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=ForkTruck;2165667]My first post. I'm planning a visit to the Philippines in a couple of months for some are&are. How and when is it best to change US $ into P $. I can convert in states but sure don't want to travel with large amount of cash either US $ or P $s. How about paying in us $, do they take it and do you get P $ as change? Consider exchange fees. Thanks. FT.[/QUOTE]The airport money changers give you a decent rate. Change enough for taxi and food needs until you can get a better local money changer. BTW, it is best to bring new crisp $100 bills to change. You can change one at the airport to get by on.
Personally I send money to myself via Cebuana for my needs instead of bring large sums of cash.
[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2165325] Returning through Dallas-Fort Worth, I noticed that immigration clearance was very perfunctory and all self-reported and automated, but the security checkpoint seemed to be swarming with TSA agents and a very deliberate dog-sniffing team.[/QUOTE]I also went through customs and immigration DFW in recent weeks on my way back from KUL, via DOH. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of an American citizen to "self-report" through the automated terminals, and not even encounter an immigration agent. Handed my print out to the customs agent who asked "Bringing anything back?" I said "No" and he waved me on. Its a big difference from my youth, when I was regularly hassled by customs and immigration agents. I got swarmed by a group of customs agents once, after I walked off the plane at DFW. Another time at IAH, I had USDA agents go through my bag and confiscate the Black Pudding I was bringing back from the UK. Why was the USDA in the middle of customs and immigration back in the 80's?
But back to my recent experience. I also got run through the wringer changing planes through Qatar. After the initial painless and quick screening one must go through to transfer at DOH, I was forced to go through yet another screening at the boarding gate. I swear I had to show my passport and boarding pass no less than five times between the time I approached the gate and the time I stepped onto the jetway. At one point I had to take out all my electronics (phone and tablet) and after a screening of those items, they were sealed in a thick plastic bag, until I got on the plane (it was a pain getting the plastic bag open without a sharp item). I got to carry my carry on, passport, boarding pass and sealed bag of electronics to the next screening point. There I got to remove my shoes, belt, and even thing else just like in the USA, and go through an X-ray machine, and then get a pat down. Then I got to show my passport and boarding card again just to get to the boarding lounge. Every staff member I passed had to see my passport and boarding pass. Oh, and that bottle of Evian I paid dearly for so I would always have water handy while I was on a 15 hour flight? Though it was unopened, security screening told me I couldn't take it on board. I had to throw it away. Today I checked my credit card statement, and that bottle of water cost me $9. 95 USD (I was confused by the exchange rate of the Qatari Riyal, so I had no idea what a ripoff that airport was). The guy who sat next to me on the way back said that Qatar was on the State Department's shit list and that is why the screening needed to be so rigourous. I swore I would never pass through DOH again, but it sounds like you can incur the same hassle transiting through other places, as well. It was just back in late 2016, I passed through TPE on the way home, and I was hustled through screening by an impatient Chinese lady in less than a minute. I'll probably fly EVA to Asia again, for the reason.
[QUOTE=BrainDrain;2165712]Also, just withdraw money via ATM P10,000 at a time, P250 fee. The direct exchange rate this way is always better than any airport counter or USA bank.[/QUOTE]I'm not disagreeing at all, but it's worth pointing out many foreign banks will charge their own fee for this so that should be factored in. I think my bank, Wells Fargo, charges US $5 which, on top of Php250 by the local ATM, is nearly US $10 for a US $192 withdrawal. One thing (for newbies to the Philippines) is finding an ATM that will dispense that amount of money AND is actually online. Not so bad in the big cities though I even had problems with HSBC at Mall of Asia more than once. Travelling to smaller cities or provinces? Be prepared *before* you need it!
[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;2165807]I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of an American citizen to "self-report" through the automated terminals, and not even encounter an immigration agent. Handed my print out to the customs agent who asked "Bringing anything back?"[/QUOTE]Actually it was the immigration agent that you handed your form to. They did away with the customs part of the process since they scan your checked bag before you get it and they can always do a random search of your carry-on, plus like you said, they have the dogs.
[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;2165807]I also went through customs and immigration DFW in recent weeks on my way back from KUL, via DOH. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of an American citizen to "self-report" through the automated terminals, and not even encounter an immigration agent. Handed my print out to the customs agent who asked "Bringing anything back?" I said "No" and he waved me on. Its a big difference from my youth, when I was regularly hassled by customs and immigration agents. I got swarmed by a group of customs agents once, after I walked off the plane at DFW. Another time at IAH, I had USDA agents go through my bag and confiscate the Black Pudding I was bringing back from the UK. Why was the USDA in the middle of customs and immigration back in the 80's?
But back to my recent experience. I also got run through the wringer changing planes through Qatar. After the initial painless and quick screening one must go through to transfer at DOH, I was forced to go through yet another screening at the boarding gate. I swear I had to show my passport and boarding pass no less than five times between the time I approached the gate and the time I stepped onto the jetway. At one point I had to take out all my electronics (phone and tablet) and after a screening of those items, they were sealed in a thick plastic bag, until I got on the plane (it was a pain getting the plastic bag open without a sharp item). I got to carry my carry on, passport, boarding pass and sealed bag of electronics to the next screening point. There I got to remove my shoes, belt, and even thing else just like in the USA, and go through an X-ray machine, and then get a pat down. Then I got to show my passport and boarding card again just to get to the boarding lounge. Every staff member I passed had to see my passport and boarding pass. Oh, and that bottle of Evian I paid dearly for so I would always have water handy while I was on a 15 hour flight? Though it was unopened, security screening told me I couldn't take it on board. I had to throw it away. Today I checked my credit card statement, and that bottle of water cost me $9. 95 USD (I was confused by the exchange rate of the Qatari Riyal, so I had no idea what a ripoff that airport was). The guy who sat next to me on the way back said that Qatar was on the State Department's shit list and that is why the screening needed to be so rigourous. I swore I would never pass through DOH again, but it sounds like you can incur the same hassle transiting through other places, as well. It was just back in late 2016, I passed through TPE on the way home, and I was hustled through screening by an impatient Chinese lady in less than a minute. I'll probably fly EVA to Asia again, for the reason.[/QUOTE]And thank God for the over caution and extra screening so you can live to tell about it.
Thanks for the advice. I traveled in Europe before the Euro change, always interesting having to get local currency when changing countries. Of course the Italian ATMs seldom worked. LOL. S. E. Asia is the same now as Europe was then. FT.