The Terminal

THE TERMINAL
-ryandgreat

i didn't fancy myself a "traveller" and i mean frequent flyer, hehehe..

and for as long as i'm able, i'll travel pa more!

i was already in my early 20's when i had the opportunity to travel abroad ..

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but the airport environment isn't anything new to me ...

October 2013 | NAIA Terminal 1 entrance

i grew-up in that environment ..

and my father was an active OFW .. i remember getting really excited every time we're there

and eventually, i find myself wanting to work at the airport!

i actually ended up working at duty free philippines sometime in 2010

the film The Terminal starring tom hanks and catherine zeta-jones is one of my fav film!!!

i am writing this because i want to walk you through my own personal experiences that a passenger has go through before finally getting on the plane!

and yes, the pre-departure is a time consuming process

break your pre-concede notions because truth be told that the process is quite arduous!

here are 7 procedures! that can help you understand the airport process!

October 2013 | Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia

October 2013 | NAIA Terminal 1 hallway

November 2014 | NAIA Terminal 3

October 2014 | Beijing International Airport

the 7 airport journey!!!

1. Drop-Off Point 

NAIA terminals 1,2 and 3 has similar departure area

as soon as you arrive be ready to get push carts, you won't need a porter because it's only few steps from drop-off to sidewalks to main doors

remove all your stuff from your pockets and put it in your bag

(airport securities will ask you to remove everything before passing through the scanners) and then proceed to inspection

2. Travel Tax

some airline tickets exclude travel tax fees (especially tickets that were purchased on-line)

along with your passport and ticket please prepare P1,620.00 and proceed to travel tax booth

3. Check-In

there's an option for web check-in but that's not an assurance for a speedy process

because you still have to get to the web check-in counter to get your boarding pass and drop your baggage

but its moving fast enough compare to the regular check-in lane and ground staff gives priority to web check-in passengers

this is the part where you get your boarding pass

(gate number, seating arrangement) and submit your bags for check-in

you ought to know the allowed baggage kilos because excess baggage fees are expensive .. please know your limit

hand-carry bags too has its own limitations to least 5 to 7 kilos only and prohibits liquid products, batteries and many more

bear in mind that there's another round of security check along the way and these prohibited items will be confiscated if you still have them

4. Terminal Fee

it was announced last year that all terminal fees should be included to airline tickets and it was already implemented this year

no need to go through the termninal fee counter

terminal fees cost P550 for international flight, i know that's quite expensive for the worst airport in the world

the extensive of being worst can be measured to internet access having the slowest wifi connection

5. Immigration

the immigration screening of your travel documents!

this is where they validate your identity, your travel intention and everything about you

you must have your passport, ticket and boarding pass and other supporting documents like company ID or invitation letter

this is a make or break, immigration people will ask questions about your travel, your itinerary, your work and some background details

and most importantly, the immigration officers would like to know not your journey per se, but most particularly on your return home

i've seen people that were refused entry for unknown reason

and yes they're strict! no picture taking at this point .. remove your cap or eye glass

6. Pre-Boarding Security Inspection 

another round of inspection before finally proceeding to boarding lounge

this includes a thorough body check sometimes you have to remove your shoes

but well, in my case i always wear slippers or a comfortable slip-on shoes whenever i travel

liquids of any kind are mostly prohibited, but some airports do allow 100ml

and also put your gadgets on another bag because these are screened separately 

7. Boarding

and finally you're almost there! once boarding time the ground staff will announce and assist arrange the line you according to seat number

but that does not end there because normally there's a long line until you reach your assigned seat!

so there you gow! and what a tedious airport journey it has been!