Travel (In)Sanity: Tips and Etiquette

My (*hanna) recent trip experience to and from Cagayan de Oro did not go oh-so-well. I’d hate to rant about it in this new blog (keeping it positive for now ;-), so let’s try a different approach. Here are some tips and recommended etiquette while traveling! I hope it will make your life easier – and also make you a joy to travel with. 

Traveling can be stressful. Do yourself and others a favor by planning ahead and being considerate.

1. When in Manila… check your Terminal

We have three (or four?) airports in Manila. NAIA 1 (the old, rundown airport, with the ramp that sort of looks like the CCP), NAIA 2 (the Centennial airport, also known as the PAL hub), and Terminal 3 (the newest, controversial one in front of Resorts World Manila). I am really not sure if the Old Domestic is still in operation.

Keep in mind that Philippine Airlines’ domestic carrier, PAL Express, now also operates in Terminal 3. Some people learn that the hard way, especially when one is used to going straight to the Centennial Terminal for a PAL flight. So, check and double check!

There may also be cases of sudden airline and airport changes, when airline staff in your point of origin will tell you to call your pick-up because you will be arriving in a different Terminal (and not the one indicated on your ticket).

There would be fewer issues on Terminal confusion if our terminal system were closer together. But no, you have to navigate the Pasay traffic to get from one point to another.

2. Respect Lines

Do people really need to push ahead during boarding? The seats are numbered, and we have the boarding passes to prove it. Some even push ahead in the tube, or worse, along the plane’s aisles!

Well, maybe they push because the overhead stowage bins get filled up quickly, so you have to get a good spot. (So that’s one more thing to expect). Should you need to move stuff in order to get your hand luggage in, have the courtesy to ask the owners of the luggage. He/ she might have trouble finding it later.

Or, maybe people push because someone might be on their seat? Yes, with the same seat number on the boarding pass as well! I don’t know how this happens, but I’ve had two flights this year where the airline had to “bribe” one passenger to get off the plane to accommodate over-booking (?)

3. Respect Lines (again)

Backtrack a bit to the security checks. If you have a lot of luggage, or have a lot of personal effects you have to take off before the security X-ray, be courteous enough to allow people to pass through. Do not block lines.

This is the same concept when people stop on top or at the bottom of escalators , blocking everyone's path.

4. Get an aisle seat if you pee a lot

So you minimize having to wake up the person beside you.

5. Use headphones

It would be great to catch up with your Game of Thrones/ Living Dead/ favorite movie onboard. But please wear your headphones because this disturbs the people around you.

(Oh and get headphones for your kid, as well. Hindi ko madinig ang dialogue ng Living Dead mo kasi ang lakas ng sounds ng Despicable Me nya, eh)

6. Make sure your mobile phone's alarm is turned off

Alarms still go off even if your phone is turned off.

I was once in a long haul flight, finally just able to catch some sleep - when the Blackberry of the guy beside me started to vibrate and beep its annoying, increasing alarm. I think he was sitting on it and not hearing it, because he stayed fast asleep! It went on snooze and back on again for about three rounds before the flight attendant finally woke him up.

7. Please, Please, Please be careful when opening the overhead stowage bins!

You might kill the person below it. I was thankful that the guy just brought a box of Pastel (stuffed bread) as pasalubong. A pineapple would’ve been worse.

Takeaway: When traveling, always expect the unexpected – and bring loads of patience and consideration! I am not one to yell or pick fights, but I have seen people do this, and it is never a pretty sight.

Happy Wanderings!