Comments on: Airline Passenger “Bill of Rights” — Philippines

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 03:12:16 +0000

Good afternoon. I had the Zubuchon Paksiw na lechon last Wednesday at the Mactan Airport Departure waiting area and it was a heavenly meal with a “sir mainit po yan” bibinka. After eating my meal, I decided to have a hotdog for dessert and walked over to gate GO5 to wait for boarding call. While waiting for Cebu Pacific Flight 5J568 to begin the boarding process, I was confronted by 3 wait staff of a unknown restaurant located inside the departure area advising me that I haven’t paid for my meal! I had great difficulty hearing what the young wait staff was telling me due to over capacity of GO5 and standing room only. I observed these same 3 employees of the restaurant frantically looking for the person who “forgot” to pay their bill.

By: Connie C

Connie C — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 22:16:27 +0000

Thanks MM for the helpful info on the airline industry.

Consumers have hardly any protection or rights in ‘Pins in general.

Despite the so called bill of rights or policies meant to protect consumers, businesses often make the complainants go thru so much hassle and pain for their grievances to be addressed. Many just give up and do not pursue their rights if they are even aware of them. And how many even bother to read the fine print of lengthy policy disclosures?

And if only our lawmakers had the time to make stronger consumer regulations and make them stick. But there is so much time hearing issues of corruption and accountability. Just think of the terrible inconveniences and suffering heaped upon daily on our poor commuters, a fact our government agencies can’t even make right!

As warning especially for online shoppers and bargain hunters on the onslaught of holiday season shopping: Buyers beware! Or you may never get your money back. Here at least, a bank and companies take action:

httpss://www.techinasia.com/bdo-suspends-cashcashpinoy-alleged-sale-fake-luxury-goods-sources/

By: Natie

Natie — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 15:51:27 +0000

Very informative post and replies, as ever… These are busy travel days-the holidays.

By: LizCuy

LizCuy — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 07:30:34 +0000

Coming from a “flying” background, and married into a “flying” family, let me share what I know. Yes, pilots (specifically, the Captain and his First Officer) should never have the same meal- so in the event of crew incapacitation, one pilot is always able-bodied. This is a rule in any airline. Enforcement, though, may vary. I still get goosebumps recalling the story of the pilots of a then-startup budget airline in the Philippines serving their pilots packed carinderia food- and one incident where both pilots had food poisoning.
A lot of pilots get weary of airplane food and some bring their own food inflight, more so if it’s not a long-hauler. Deciding to buy the Zubuchon was a looked-forward-to break from the usual fare, I am sure! They probably got different food items, if they were following protocol. (I would certainly ask the hubby to get me Zubuchon if he flew to Cebu, but, alas, he does not. I have to rely on the good graces of friends and family coming from Cebu and heading to our city.)
The Manila airport is ill-equipped (literally and figuratively) to handle the volume of air traffic. Airlines usually have their hands tied about the delays. It’s the same complaint by airlines flying into mainland China- a one-hour delay is S.O.P. (for a landing slot) so flights are already delayed on purpose before they even leave for a Chinese airport. To an extent, that also happens in Manila and its airspace.

By: Connie C

Connie C — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 05:11:21 +0000

@Bernard: The pilots probably felt sure Zubuchon is safe for the both of them:)

By: AlexME

AlexME — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 04:12:37 +0000

MM…I bet the pilots were glad their meal at Zubochon was not delayed by 3.5+ hours. But wait, then you would have had to hand them a meal voucher at Tsim Sha Tsui to use for the delay…Ha! Ha!

By: Mimi

Mimi — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 03:27:52 +0000

I noticed that the new term Cebu Pacific uses when the flight is actually delayed is RE-TIMED. Was on a last minute trip to Manila on Cebu Pacific (S$1,200+ for 2 return tickets!) and our departure was suddenly changed an hour plus later. I called my brother, my “sundo” to say it was delayed.

This RE-TIMED wording is a fallacy, as it really is delayed. So when flights are statistically checked, the airline will have few delays because flights have been RE-TIMED.

By: millet

millet — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 02:44:46 +0000

had a good laugh over that last paragraph, hehe….

By: Marketman

Marketman — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:50:55 +0000

Bernard, yup, I have read that too. I wonder if they ordered different things…

By: Bernard

Bernard — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:21:15 +0000

I have read somewhere that the Pilot and Co-pilot can’t have the same meal to avoid both of them getting sick on food poisoning.