Elise’s Guide for First Time Plane Passengers

The very first time I’ve ever been on an airplane was on a 7 a.m. trip from Manila to Dumaguete to visit Edith Joaquin just this year. And since I’m me, and I like to know exactly what I’m getting into before I do something, I had to Google instructions on what to do before a flight. Seriously. So I’m writing this guide for people like me who want step-by-step instructions on what to do on your first flight.

* This is for domestic flights, though I figure it shouldn’t be too different for international flights. I’d have to write about that when I get to travel outside of the Philippines (yay!)

ETICKET
I got my eticket from PAL (www.philippineairlines.com). It was a one-way ticket to Dumaguete because 1) I didn’t know how long I’d be staying and 2) I didn’t have enough funds on my Mastercard for a 2-way ticket (ha!). I’d actually advice that you get a round-trip ticket especially during peak seasons. That way you won’t have to worry about not being able to go back home.

They will e-mail your ticket to you and all you have to do is to print it out. If you get your ticket from a travel agent the way I did when I got my DGT to MNL ticket, they printed out the eticket for me. Bring the print outs with you to the airport on your departure date.

Edith said that “you can never be too early to be at the airport”, and that’s true. You’re safer to be there to check in 2 hours before your departure time.

CHECK-IN
1. Present your e-ticket to the guard. – The guard will check your eticket details and an ID. The name on the ticket should match your ID, of course.

2. Put your bags through x-ray #1 – At the entrance, you have to put your bags through the x-ray machine to make sure you don’t have a knife or a gun with you. You’ll go through a metal detector too and you’ll get frisked by a guard.

3. Check-in. – Inside, there are 24 (if I’m not mistaken) counters. Find the right counter for your flight and present your eticket. This is where you’ll be given a boarding pass, and where your luggage will be weighed. You can have your luggage checked in or not so long as your bag would fit in the overhead storage bins or under your seat. I didn’t want to lug my huge back to and from the plane, so I checked it in and had my backpack as my hand-carry bag.

4. Pay the terminal fee. – The terminal fee at the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2 is P200. Before you can get to the gates, there’s a counter there where you’d have to pay for it. A guard will meet you to check if you’ve paid the fee before you can enter the area where the boarding gates are.

5. X-ray #2 – You have to put your luggage through a second x-ray machine. This time, you’re going to have to remove your shoes and put them through the machine too. I already knew this but I still wore my high top Converse sneakers which was why I had to struggle for about three minutes to get them off before I could put them on the conveyor belt and go through the metal detector to have the nice, friendly lady guard frisk me. So I’d advice that your wear flip flops so it’s easy to slip them on and off. You’d also need to remove your belt if you’re wearing one before you can go through the metal detector.

6. Find your gate. – The gates are numbered 1 through 8 from left to right. You’d be told which gate you’d be using, and it would also be written on your boarding pass. Find a seat close to your gate. You can while away your time before boarding. There’s an area where you can get free WiFi, and there are power outlets. You can use those, or you can read. I brought along my copy of the The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 1 (Dark-Hunter Manga) and I read that while waiting for the flight.

7. Boarding time. – Boarding time is also written on your boarding pass. They will also call your attention when your plane is ready for boarding. Join the line at your gate, hand over your boarding pass to the attendant, and they’d let you get on your flight.

8. On the plane. – It’s pretty easy to find your seat on a plane. The seat numbers are written overhead. And if you can’t find your seat, there are friendly flight attendants ready to help a passenger in distress. Stow your luggage on the overhead bins, or under the seat in front of you. Take a seat and strap your seat belt on. And wait for take off.

Even though my flight back to Manila was delayed for three hours, I forgot the excruciating waiting as soon as the plane took off. There’s nothing like flying. Enjoy your flight!