July 18, 2013, Thursday. Today i am doing an excursion, a little break from a hectic schedule at work.
Writing this blog real-time. i love sharing real-time emotions :)
I am travelling with my friends - Cha and Reg. We all worked in the same company before though we've separated ways in terms of employment, the bond is strong that we still are able to plan a trip together. We are set to conquer Thailand and Malaysia!!!
Mactan Cebu Internatinal Airport. We arrived at the Cebu Mactan International Airport, International departures area at 1:10PM.Traveling outside the Philippines. Here are the steps you should take when you travel abroad (adhoc Cebu International Airport)
Step 1.
Arrive at the airport terminal at least 3-4 hours prior to your scheduled depature (as indicated on your Airline Itinerary). The Mactan Cebu International Airport can be reached via private car or public vehicle i.e. taxi. It is 40 minutes away from the City of Cebu.
Step 2.
Upon arriving at the airport, proceed immediately to the International Departures Area. Right after you enter the terminal, you will find 'money changers' if you wish to buy dollars, baht, ringgit, etc. though i suggest you buy foreign currencies in the city as the rate in the airport is not a good buy.
Step 3.
Present your printed airline ticket (though some just present their smart phones with the PDF itinerary) to the guard at the pre-departures gate. After guard checks yiur ticket, proceed to the x-ray machines for security check. This area does not allow photographs so you better shut your camers down. Get a tray to put your belongings like wallets, gadgets, cap, shades, mobile phones etc. You should not carry anything in your body when you undero a metal detector test.
- Few tips on your baggage. Things like umbrella, scissors, tripod etc. should be checked in as these are not allowed inside the cabin. Also, liquids like perfumes, cream, lotion which contents have more than 100 ml should also be checked in at the counter. Alcohol is a big No No inside the cabin. So if you purchased a seat on travel light coach, you better not bring the things i mentioned or else you will have no choice but to pay for checking these things in or have these confiscated.
Step 4.
Once security check is done, go to the airline check-in counters. Take note though that for international flights, check in counter usually opens 2.5 - 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Look for your flight details flash on the big tv screen. This will give you real-time status of your flight. Delayed flights are also flashed here.
Step 5.
After getting status of you flight, you have to pay for travel tax. Travel tax is compulsory to all Philippine passport holders who travel abroad. Travel tax costs you Php. 1,620.00. At the MCIA, proceed to the 'Travel Tax' counter (TIEZA) - left wing of the building when you are facing the check in counters. It's easy to locate though, you can always ask MCIA personnels/security guards if you have difficulty finding this counter.
At the Travel Travel tax counter, there are 2 steps to undergo.
I. Present your airline ticket and passport. They will verify your passport and flight details.
II. Once documents are verifies, transfer to counter 2 (cashier) to pay for the amount of Php. 1,620.00). You will then be given a receipt (marked as OR of PH, Agency: TIEZA). Keep this receipt with you, insert this into your passport.
Step 6.
Once the check in counter (for your designated flight) opens, fall in line. Look for a hanging signage marked with the country of you destination. Once reached the check in counter, present your
-ticket/itinerary
- Passport
- Travel Tax receipt
- documents like returend tickets, hotel accomodation, etc.
According to a Cebu Pacific staff at the check in counter, they have a new SOP to screen documents for immigration. (My 2 cents: it's rediculous to have these be checked at the counter as these are actually checked by immigration officers.) Anyway, after a long scurtinzation of yiur documents and assigning your seats (check in baggage ifnyou have), then, you will be given with your boarding pass.
Fill out an immigration form you can get from counter check-in or ask from any MCIA staff.
Step 7.
Now you have the boarding pass, passport, travel documents/itinerary, you may now proceed to the terminal fee conters to settle the Php 550.00 terminal fee. Once payment is done, they will attach a terminal fee voucher on your boarding pass.
Step 8. Horrible Immigration!
This is the scary art as most traveled would say. An interview with immigration officers. Present your Immigration form, Boarding pass and terminal fee voucher to the guard at the entrance of the immigration counters. Then fall in line for a quick interview with an immigration officers. There are multiple counters which means that there are a couple of immigration officers who will conduct a one on one interview with you.
Once you hear the magic word 'next' you get to be ready. This officer who will ask you a lot of questions has the sole auhtority to approve or deny your internatioanl trip. Ensure you answer them politely (as they play Gods) and you present to them sufficient documents re your travel itinerary from the returned ticket, hotel accomodation, places to visit, pocket money etc. It's like you are inquest by fiscals. Anyway, once you satisfied them with your answers supported by your documents, they will stamp your passport! Congratulations! now, you're closer to your dream out of the country destination.
Step 9.
After getting a stamp on your passport, proceed to the second security check. X-ray machines for your hand carry bags and other belongings and metal detector for yourself. Once passed, you may now go to the departure lounge/gate (refer to your boarding pass for youse assigned lounge/gate).
Step 10. Boarding! and you are flying....... enjoy.
In the cabin of Cebu Pacific Airbus.... Don't forget to bring a pen inside the cabin as you will be asked to fill out an arrival card. Above is an arrival card for Thailand which was collected by Thai Immigration.
