Weekends with Archie

Airport Rush!

May 6, 2007

Flight to Davao: 9:30am, Sunday.

This is the story:

The night before, I went to Greenbelt to have dinner with my friends and orgmates. I had a fun time reminiscing college and org experiences.

2:00:  I came back to the dorm. I haven't packed my stuff yet. I had to pack everything then since I would be moving out to California Gardens when I'd get back to Manila.

3:30:  I finally slept. Must wake up at 6 and leave the dorm at 7 for the flight.

8:20:  I just woke up! The hell! 

8:30:  I put my clothes on, brought downstairs my luggages, and called a cab.

8:45:  The cab arrived. Should be in the airport before 9:00!

9:10:  I arrived in the airport!  No!  20 minutes to go! Check-in line is very very long!

9:12:  I directly went to the check-in counter and expressed to the lady that I had to check in ASAP.  I met two other passengers who were also late - a young probinsyana lady and a lost lola.  So we joined forces and aimed to be in the flight ASAP.

9:15:  My turn to check in my luggage. I'm overloaded! I took out my wallet and voila! My money is not enough!  I went to the guard and asked if there were any BPI ATMs nearby. There were none! Oh no! So I went out of the airport and looked for any ATMs or banks. There was one - Allied Bank across the street. Never mind the bank charges, I had to withdraw some money. I left my hand-carry baggages (that contains my big Grad Pic frame) with the guard.

9:22:  I was able to check in my luggages. I shared with lola's luggage so that I can help her (and made use of the available space lola had). The 3 of us went directly to the terminal station. Had to pay for the terminal fee. As I checked my wallet again! Oh no! It lacked a hundred bucks! Don't tell me I had to go out of the airport again.  Hmm.. I asked the probinsyana lady if she had some extra money to spare. And so I borrowed from her. Whew! Hope, we could make it to the plane.

9:24:  We removed our shoes and belts and socks for inspection. Two staff personnel assisted us since the captain had been long waiting.

9:30:  The three of us eventually made it to the runway. (Almost there) I was already climbing up the plane ladder when… I suddenly stopped and realized.. My hand-carry is not with me! The staff advised me to get it myself to make it faster.  So I ran back to the check-in area and went back to the guard.

9:40:  I hurried back to the terminal station, removed my shoes and everything again, ran with the two airline staff.. and finally got inside the plane.  Imagine how I looked that time with my shoelace untied, my belt dangling in my hand, and my damn fly open!  Whew!  Never mind what the people would think. The important thing is I got into the plane!

So there! 

You think the story is done?  Not yet…

When we arrived in Davao (and that was on time to think that we're 10 minutes delayed):

* Lola was nowhere to be found, apparently she just went out of the airport with her luggage not being checked by the guards.  Her baggage ticket was with me.

* The probinsyana lady asked me for the money I borrowed her. I told her, "I'm short right now but once I see my family outside, I could pay you back then."  So she went ahead outside the airport waiting for me.

* It's my turn to go out of the airport when the guards blocked me in. I can't pass through since I had inconsistent baggage tickets.  They realized that lola and I shared luggages and that we violated a rule. The guard confronted me, "Ah mali po ung ginawa ninyo, Sir. Hindi po kayo makakalabas!" Eager to answer back to defend myself, I strongly told him, "Ah mas mali po ung ginawa niyo boss, paano po nakalabas ang isang lola na hindi ninyo tinitingnan ang ticket? What shall we do now? Talk to the management?" The guard paused for a while.  And he told me gently, "Sige po sir, upo muna ho tayo, paunahin muna po natin ung ibang pasahero para ma-check natin na wala pong nawawala."

* So I'm stranded inside.  Well, it's better than having reported to anyone. Meanwhile, lola is outside and I had no idea where she exactly was and the probinsyada lady was I guess still waiting for me.

* I waited for about 15 more minutes. The guard released me freely apologizing for what happened. All fellow passengers were gone, including lola and the probinsyana lady. Oh well!

Truly, that was the most unforgettable plane boarding experience! :)

 

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