General Info

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1871464]

I don't know about Cebu Pacific at Terminal 3 as I try to bypass that terminal altogether. Wherever possible I use PAL's Terminal 2 (for international travel too) because the aircon is much cooler and conditions less cramped.[/QUOTE]I use it most times I'm in Manila, if you check in online, you'll find the "Web Check in" bag drop queue empty whilst the standard check in queues are long. Getting through security and immigration generally takes less than 10 minutes. They have a bar and a few small restaurants airside, perfectly reasonable experience.

My one tip would be on entering terminal 3 (especially if you have a foreign passport), use the far end entrance (Emirates) and not the CP door, which always has long queues. The Emirates door is always empty and a quick flash of the passport is enough to get through. Last time through I was airside within 10 minutes of being dropped off in the taxi.

I'm with RK in that I use Termjnal 2 almost exclusively, and will only venture near Terminal 3 if I've got no choice. I never check bags, and I'm usually through security and in the lounge within 10 minutes of arriving outside the terminal, having checked in on line and printed my boarding passes.

GE.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;1871495]
However I've never heard before that you need to print out 2 boarding passes. I've always printed out just one and no one at the gate check ever wanted to keep that one. And anyway sometimes I got a new boarding pass at the baggage drop of counter. Just one.[/QUOTE]I might have mislead you Mogs. I was referring to PAL.

When you print out your boarding pass from the PAL website you get a single page with two passes on it.

One is designated for the "agent" at the gate and one is for your records and to carry on the plane. They use the copy left at the gate to cross-check that all booked passengers are on board.

They are required to do that in case someone checks on a bomb in their bags but doesn't board the plane.

The first time I used it I never cut it in half and the girl then had difficulty in tearing it in half as I went through the final check before boarding the plane.

So each time now I cut the page in half so that I have 2 copies.

Prepare yourself for any departure from any NAIA terminal and remind yourself it is impartially ranked as one of the worst airports in the world and will remain so for the foreseeable future. That way you will build your tolerance before arriving at the airport. Be prepared to sit on the floor air-side in terminal 2 if there are many flights departing such as in the evening. Maybe take a sandwich with you as terminal 2 lacks any meaningful food. Toilets facilities are very limited. Terminal 3 has better food facilities, especially in check-in area upper floor. Terminal 3 of course requires you to join long lines outside the building to pass first stage security to get into the building. Air-side there a few small food outlets with very mediocre food, mainly Filipino food. Toilet facilities have improved air-side. Some international airlines such as Singapore Airlines allow you to check in your bags early, but then your bags will be in the loading area for a while and sticky hands may go into your bags. The check in area of terminal 3 is usually a heaving mass of humanity and getting a seat at times can be totally impossible with the masses usually sitting around on the floor. The car park next to terminal 3 is always totally full when I go there. In all cases, read the Philippine press and be aware of the scams inside all terminals, especially in the so called security check areas. You will note that Filipinos commonly duct tape of plastic wrap their carry on and check in bags. They do not do this for fun!

The sky is not falling contrary to other reports.

T1 and T3 are not shitholes. T4 is a lot smaller and easy to navigate. I have no experience with T2. If you have food preferences then common sense would tell you to pack your own lunch.

On most occasions you can use the porters at T1 and T3 and bypass the long wait at the first X-ray machine. A tip of P100 is well worth my time to bypass the lines.

Yes, most domestic flights are delayed several hours most days. Just be aware of that and chill out. Bring something to read. Bring a cell charger adapter with double USB charging outlets and meet a new friend.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1871942]The sky is not falling contrary to other reports.

T1 and T3 are not shitholes. T4 is a lot smaller and easy to navigate. I have no experience with T2. If you have food preferences then common sense would tell you to pack your own lunch.

On most occasions you can use the porters at T1 and T3 and bypass the long wait at the first X-ray machine. A tip of P100 is well worth my time to bypass the lines.

Yes, most domestic flights are delayed several hours most days. Just be aware of that and chill out. Bring something to read. Bring a cell charger adapter with double USB charging outlets and meet a new friend.[/QUOTE]The only terminal in Naias surroundings I've never been to is T4 (I don't know what qualifies as a terminal but I've seen better refugeecamps than the T4 (bypassing only)).

From the T1 to T3 I find T3 the best;.

T3: This is ofcourse influated by me mostly depart with the so so midnight EK flight (used to depart 00:20 am but have now changed to 11:50 pm). As a side note I have tried explained this change to some girls but they can not see the big point, can you guys?? Its of extreme importancy when you book your ticket? Others than that I keep my arriving at the airport no more than 60 min ahead of ETD a golden rule. I've been as late as ETD 45 min but I guess beeing Platinum keeps a check in counter open. From my Makati apt I estimate 30 min traveltime and that's it. Sometimes we get T3 a bit faster sometimes a bit slower. I've never missed my plane though. I have both due to miles and / or tickets allways access to first or biz lounges. The Skyviewshit lounge at Naia I've visited one time and never again (I hear from friends though that aircon works again and its like an artic environment in there). Don't care realy bcs I arrive late at airport even so.

T2: How someone can prefer this shitty terminal and airline dep / arr from here above something else beats me. Phil Air (PR) is amongst my worst airlines. I fly many airlines during one year and in a 42 yo long life and from those I've been actively flying maybe 20 of them Phil Air is in class with Iranian Mahan and / or Iran Air. I view everything by businessclass or better by the way. Phil Air in my book don't have a businessclass. Maybe their best class would be premium economy in more western airlines. I give Phil Air a bit attantion bcs they are T2 and without them who knows the fuck.

Even so I've travelled through T2 sometimes. I book for lonhaul tickets maybe 1 to 2 days ahead. If I've been to Thailand or Beijing I have just met at the counter and booked tickets there with PR bcs its been the closest departuring airline. T2 as economy I can not elaborate but as biz customer it has to be the worst lounge I've ever encountered. I've grown tired from lounges / airports so if I have a chance I foucus more on how late can I get to the airport and still catch my flight. T2 and its biz, even if renovated, still sucks. Nothing compared to other airlines and its designated biz lounges around the globe. If PR try to become a intl actor they better pimp up their game. I will fly them again if I am in BKK and suddenly "have" to go MNL or oposit and they are the first choice of dep.

T1: I hated T1 for a long time. Since I live in Europe, Qatar, Thai and lastly Turkish, have been okay for flying here. Since I mostly stay in Makati I find T3 better as in location so its normaly an easy breezy drive to my Makati stay. If I stay other places I sometimes choose airlines due to bookings of hotel or in reversed order (depends a tad on where most of my upcomming girlieobject is based). I allways fly First or Biz. T1 seems unpopular but what they have for installed lately is actually working AC (air condition), not the nasty place. Even if I am not price sensitive I choose Thai with campaign prices for Biz like US2000 return ticket than paying US4000 with an airline arriving another terminal. T1 was bad but its okay now bcs airlines want to go at least not so many major big airlines fly T1 anymore so immigration is easy breeze.

Arriving last time T3 (EK) I almost fainted as both peoplemovers worked (electiontime I guess). For a good year, or longer, the first and last one (of only two) have rotated beeing out of order. Dep wice I arrive T3 60 min prior to departure. This hours no lines and the last year I've never been asked for any booking comfirmation (I have it available though in my pad). Just walking inside, screening my bag, to the Biz / First class counter, sexurity (hehe) and the board aircraft. T3 is basically best bcs I can spend as little time there as possible.

Took only 90 minutes today from AC to NAIA T3 this Sunday morning. No stop and go traffic at all. Left AC at 09:30.

Best to bring your own cellophane wrap. Seems like every third person has their luggage well wrapped! Stores are probably all out of stock.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1873275]Took only 90 minutes today from AC to NAIA T3 this Sunday morning. No stop and go traffic at all. Left AC at 09:30.

Best to bring your own cellophane wrap. Seems like every third person has their luggage well wrapped! Stores are probably all out of stock.[/QUOTE]I think the bullet scam is done by now? Why wrap your suitecase now? I have to admit I was, duringi prime time of the bullet scam, travelling heavy in and out of Naia's(T1,2 and 3). Never ever did I exp any hazzle. It should be fun though see a guy/girl arriving with his own cellophane, wrapping up his / her sutiecase. To much hazzle in my book but again to each their own.

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1871919]Prepare yourself for any departure from any NAIA terminal and remind yourself it is impartially ranked as one of the worst airports in the world and will remain so for the foreseeable future. That way you will build your tolerance before arriving at the airport. Be prepared to sit on the floor air-side in terminal 2 if there are many flights departing such as in the evening. Maybe take a sandwich with you as terminal 2 lacks any meaningful food. Toilets facilities are very limited. Terminal 3 has better food facilities, especially in check-in area upper floor. Terminal 3 of course requires you to join long lines outside the building to pass first stage security to get into the building. Air-side there a few small food outlets with very mediocre food, mainly Filipino food. Toilet facilities have improved air-side. Some international airlines such as Singapore Airlines allow you to check in your bags early, but then your bags will be in the loading area for a while and sticky hands may go into your bags. The check in area of terminal 3 is usually a heaving mass of humanity and getting a seat at times can be totally impossible with the masses usually sitting around on the floor. The car park next to terminal 3 is always totally full when I go there. In all cases, read the Philippine press and be aware of the scams inside all terminals, especially in the so called security check areas. You will note that Filipinos commonly duct tape of plastic wrap their carry on and check in bags. They do not do this for fun![/QUOTE]I promote this as wordings. Ex me travel from T3 mostly around midnight with initial EK flight. No lines and never ever I've been asked for booking records entering the first initial screening. Its laughable at best bcs I am slippy and allways forget to remove my belt and / or iphone (pocketed). Alarm goes off as I pass through but no one gives a shit.

Secondary sec screen I last time did forget I carried a 0,5 l of coke in my bag (was planning to drink it in the taxi I guess). They didn't care and I got my btl through. Could be heaven for a terrorist (don't want to promote them start hittingup Naia though).

[QUOTE=DonaldSucks;1873281]I think the bullet scam is done by now? Why wrap your suitecase now? I have to admit I was, duringi prime time of the bullet scam, travelling heavy in and out of Naia's(T1,2 and 3). Never ever did I exp any hazzle. It should be fun though see a guy/girl arriving with his own cellophane, wrapping up his / her sutiecase. To much hazzle in my book but again to each their own.[/QUOTE]I was just stating the irony of the cellophane wrapped luggage. I never wrap mine and always keep an eye on it. The only exposure to me is if there is a midget or small child in the X-ray machine placing bullets in the bags.

There were long lines outside for the initial X-ray scanner but thru the art of tipping I was thru it in one minute.

BTW the Skyview lounge is finished with whatever work was done and the AC is frigid!

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1873294]I was just stating the irony of the cellophane wrapped luggage. I never wrap mine and always keep an eye on it. The only exposure to me is if there is a midget or small child in the X-ray machine placing bullets in the bags.

There were long lines outside for the initial X-ray scanner but thru the art of tipping I was thru it in one minute.

BTW the Skyview lounge is finished with whatever work was done and the AC is frigid![/QUOTE]Haha, that's cool man. Sorry for misinterp your late msg As you probably know by now english is not my native tounge but my good second alternative. Sometimes I can miss understatements in humoristic writings. I lay flat and say sorry.

Skyview lounge, last time I was there, no AC, they put up some fans though. My friend did travel through a few weeks ago, spend a few min in Skyview, and then it was like Artic inside there (why can they not find the golden middle way, hehe). He told me he had to go toilet to put pants on (jeans). I, myself, adjust my traveltime so close by now so I don't visit any lounges no more.

The last time I was in Skyview Lounge the AC did not work and they had a lot of fans blowing. That was early February. Now the AC is frigid cold. Because I got here so fast today from Angeles that I have been in the lounge for an hour. Someone must have complained that it was so cold that a lounge worker was walking around with a remote resetting the temperate. There must 4 or 5 AC units on each side.

Meanwhile they have a real cutie doing OJT. She has been like my personal server!

I am going to miss Philippines for a few months.

I would appreciate information of on SIM CARD in Philippines for making international calls.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1873307]The last time I was in Skyview Lounge the AC did not work and they had a lot of fans blowing. That was early February. Now the AC is frigid cold. Because I got here so fast today from Angeles that I have been in the lounge for an hour. Someone must have complained that it was so cold that a lounge worker was walking around with a remote resetting the temperate. There must 4 or 5 AC units on each side.

Meanwhile they have a real cutie doing OJT. She has been like my personal server!

I am going to miss Philippines for a few months.[/QUOTE]Haha I just left and am back home know (bkk). I visited maybe the Skyview lounge like you in January and then it was like a heater inside there. They had some fans put up but they only blew warm air around and didn't help at all.

[QUOTE=DonaldSucks;1873363]Haha I just left and am back home know (bkk). I visited maybe the Skyview lounge like you in January and then it was like a heater inside there. They had some fans put up but they only blew warm air around and didn't help at all.[/QUOTE]Like DS I use this a lot and it is either sweating or too much wind (IMHO can never be too cold as 18 C is perfect for me LOL).

When the fans are used I sit in front of one as otherwise I walk to the plane as a sweaty body (not nice to see).

And the staff are cute period IMHO but the food sucks (can't eat any of it) but I know where they hide the bottles of water and always get 5-6 bottles so am OK.

Apart from that T3 use mainly and like DS, is IMHO better than the others (well especially T1 and T4, the latter reminds me of the earlier Gulf state 'airports' but worse.

The walkways have never worked when I am there but as DS sad maybe as elections etc they have spent some cash on maintenance but am sure they will break down again.

What I dot understand is the yellow form I am giving them as while it is all about Ebola, no one ever checks it is purely cursory and even in Aussie now this has been stopped. But if there is an Ebola issue and they look at the form and someone has written DS on the firm then what to do?