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Exploring places I've never been to is one of my passions in life. Nothing beats the sights, sounds, and smells of a destination never previously explored. The enchanting laughter of the locals, and their heartwarming smiles. These are the things I live for, and for this reason, I am always preparing for the next trip, whether it be domestic or international.
Like other travelers, I look forward to the exploration part of the trip - the riverboat rides, and the shopping expeditions, the walking tours, and the trying out of native specialties. The getting there, however, is not something I look forward to.
I have what I call airport-induced acid reflux. I get anxious when I travel. Not because I'm afraid to fly, far from it. I just don't care for airports that much. And I realized, some time ago, that I was not alone in this. There are people whose stomachs churn at the sight of immigration officers. They sweat at the thought of being interrogated, and they see the Nothing to Declare sign as the finish line.
I dedicate this blog post to everyone who experiences some form of "airport anxiety".
Manila Airport 101: Departure
1. Before you enter the airport, make sure you've got your passport and ticket ready. There will be a guard or two by the door to check them. (Remember, only passengers are allowed inside the airport.)
2. As soon as you enter the airport, your bags are scanned, and you walk through a metal detector and are frisked by airport security officers.
3. Proceed to the counter. You can check the monitors to find out the number of your counter.
4. Queue up and wait for your turn. Give the ticket and your passport to the airline ground staff who will check you in. You leave your check-in luggage here. This is where you will get your boarding pass and the baggage claim stub. The ground staff will tell you your boarding time and gate number. But you can always check the boarding pass for this information.
5. Get an immigration form at the same counter and fill it out while waiting for the ground staff to finish checking you in. Make sure you fill in all the necessary information. Sign the card.
6. If you're a Filipino citizen, you might need to pay travel tax if you haven't already paid for it together with your ticket. If you still need to pay, the ground staff will tell you to do so, and then claim your boarding pass after you've paid the travel tax which costs Php 1600+.
7. Prepare Php550 to pay the terminal fee. This is for everyone.
8. Proceed to immigration. This shouldn't take that long. If you're a foreigner or a balikbayan, you might get asked when you entered the country. Your passport will be stamped.
9. Security checkpoint. Your bags will be scanned again.
9. After this you can relax, especially if you have time to kill. Go have coffee, or a sandwich. Check in on Foursquare or Facebook. Enjoy the free WiFi.
10. Go to your gate. You have to be at the gate at least 45 minutes before your flight just to make sure you're at the right gate. Remember, the gate number could change at any time. So always listen to those PA announcements.
11. If you're traveling to the US, your bags will be scanned again before entering the gate.
Arrival:
1. Fill out the customs and immigration forms on the plane. Your flight attendant will give these to you.
2. Upon arrival, your flight attendant will announce the number of the carousel where you can claim your baggage.
3. Proceed to immigration. If you're a tourist, the immigration officer might ask more information regarding your trip.
4. Go to the baggage claim area.
5. Get your bag.
6. Proceed to Customs and give the customs officer the customs declaration form. If you have nothing to declare, go to the Nothing to Declare line.
7. After the Customs, a guard might ask to see the baggage claim stub before you exit the building.
8. There will be people right outside to help you get a cab if no one's picking you up.
I hope this post helps first-time travelers when at the Manila Airport. Remember, if you don't know where to go, you can always ask. :-)
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