With the Lenten break the Day of Valor and Eid’l Fitr holidays coming soon after, thousands of travelers are expected to take advantage of the lull to take longer trips. Whether within the Philippines or abroad; or by air, land or sea, expect traffic on the roads, long queues, congestion, and crowds.
A BusinessMirror report said that an estimated one million passengers are set to fly out from Manila alone. The same report encouraged travelers to take advantage of online conveniences to help reduce waiting times. These include paying for Travel Tax online, or if possible, pay for this upon booking your flight. Checking in online for flights and filling up the eTravel registration before even heading to the airport would also help save time.
Here are some other time-saving hacks that would help make travel hassle-free, as intimated to Unpacked by Atty. Wyrlou Samodio, Chief Legal Officer of the Civil Aeronautics Board
1. While it is your right as a passenger to receive timely and accurate information before booking, as well as for any changes in the itinerary, provide your own mobile number and email address so you can be easily contacted for any updates.
2. Pack properly and weigh your baggage to ensure it meets baggage restrictions and limitations. The last thing you need is to repack in a crowded airport hurriedly.
3. Allot more time to get to the airport, seaport, or bus terminal as traffic is heavy. With more travelers, the lines for check-in, security inspections, and immigration are going to be long. For those traveling by air, be at the airport at least two hours before your flight, three hours if you have check-in baggage. Check-in counters close one hour before departure. Travelers over land or sea, also need to be at the terminal at least one hour before departure, at least four if there is cargo or checked baggage.
4. Pay attention to passenger announcements. There may be sudden changes to boarding gates or departure times. Be at the boarding area on or before the designated time. There are hundreds of other passengers traveling with you.
Passengers have a right to certain amenities if the flight is delayed by at least three hours or canceled. You can ask the airline staff why the flight is delayed or canceled.
If time is running out and you’re at risk of getting bumped off your flight, call the attention of the airline staff. They can help speed things along so you make your flight.
More importantly, there are passenger assistance desks you can go to should there be a concern. Across all airports nationwide, the Civil Aeronautics Board has personnel to assist air travelers. There are also assistance counters at bus, sea, and inter-island terminals.
Image credits: Michael Edwards | Dreamstime.com