Tuesday, May 12, 2009

EXTREME AIRPORT BLUES




During my departure procedures, I ended up paying 7,000 pesos at the airport counter because the airline people said my luggage was over by 4 pounds, not kilos, but pounds! Funny because before I left the condo I made sure I didn't go over the required weight.

I am wondering now if the airport scale is the same as those "prawns/shrimps" scale from Pozurobio???? I didn't want to throw away anything or hand carry anything due to my left hand being weak so I just paid the damned amount. Once I got through the counter I had to pay additional 750 pesos (exit fee?) Now, what the heck is an exit fee??? I want to go home so I just paid it.

Heading over to my gate I encounted another security check. By this time I had my passport, cellphone and other documents on my hand. I still had some pesos left over and since I had all kinds of papers on my hand, I put my money within my passport. My phone rang so I answered it while going through the security. I don't normally talk on the phone while in front other people. I think it's just bad manners, but for some reason I did it this time...

Guess what? When I handed the security guard my passport, they said "maraming salamat po" and took my money. I put my phone on hold and politely told them it was not for them, but they argued and said I didn't need the pesos anymore to where I'm going. I think I had about 1,500 pesos. Again, I gave them the 750 and just left. I am already tired arguing with those numbskulls.

By then I started to feel hungry. I stopped by one of the kiosks. I bought an ensemada and a bottled water. Bear in mind I had already gone through several security checks at this point. By the time I found a chair, guess what? It was time to board. Thinking that I had already gone through the security checks I proceeded to stand in line to board. Guess again? They told me I was not allowed to bring my snack and the bottled water!!!

I was so pissed (and hungry)!!! I argued with the security. In Maui and Honolulu, there are several restaurants/kiosks that sell food AND WATER BEYOND the security checks. I was able to bring food AND A BOTTLED WATER on board the plane from Maui to Honolulu AS WELL AS FROM HONOLULU TO MANILA.

Needless to say, I didn't want to give any reason for Manila authorities to detain me so I opened up the pastry AND THE BOTTLED WATER and dumped everything into a garbage can in front the security. The security guy said I didn't have to do that so I answered,"I'm just making sure that these are really going to the trash and not for anyone's consumption." I was really pissed!

So I boarded my flight hungry and I found my seat. I was fortunate that the seat next to me was not occupied. I occupied both seats and fell asleep. When I woke up it was 15 minutes before arrival time in Honolulu. If I wasn't on board the plane, I would have thought I was just dreaming. Yep, the vacation went by too quickly and all I have left are the happy memories to offset those nightmarish experiences at the airport..

---Marcie Tesoro

*****

Indeed, it is a nightmare at the NAIA...The 750 is a legitimate fee paid by everyone who departs from Manila. But I believe the 7,000 pesos to cover just 4 pounds is way, way too much!

--vic

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