Call me a paranoid traveller. It’s not just plane claustrophobia that gets to me when I fly. I also get to be very observant of fellow passengers. And I try hard to notice my surroundings closely, yes.:D
It helped that me and my officemates flew six times to three Philippine cities this month, which is quite a record for someone like me who prefers land trips. Okay, we flew Cebu Pacific and the time helped me get acquainted with operations at a few of the country’s airports, including the Cebu Pacific terminal in NAIA 3.
My rating: HG. Hoy Gising! (hey, wake up!)
The first time I was at NAIA 3 was before an early 4:55 a.m. flight to Bacolod. I couldn’t believe it. The two personnel who were supposed to man the x-ray machines of incoming luggages weren’t doing their work at all! Man on the right was reading a tabloid while the lady on the left end was talking to her fellow employee about what to have for breakfast. Both of them weren’t looking at their machines while the bags passed through.
Sure, there were uniformed security personnel as soon as we entered the terminal, but what can human eyes do compared to the work of metal detectors and x-ray machines?
This incident got me into a conversation with a friend who observed the same thing. He said he even went to the airport one night to buy a plane ticket (this time at the Centennial Terminal) and he was able to pass through an Off Limits area without anyone reprimanding him. I didn’t observe the same thing, but he noted that security is even more lax at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu where personnel would let you pass without checking you. How true?
I shudder to think of the repercussions that lax enforcement of security in Philippine airports can bring. We can’t be merely reactive when terrible incidents such as terrorist bomb attacks happen, or pray for a repeat of the 2003 Davao international airport blast where 20 people were killed.The fact that it happened in Davao doesn’t mean it will not happen in Manila…so why are these security personnel taking their work for granted?
In fairness, when we passed through the Davao International Airport during this last trip, the employees looked every inch efficient and competent. The presence of policemen also made me feel safe with this airport. Perhaps because they have learned their lessons since the 2003 incident . And also because we think this is how work in crucial places like airports should be done!
I would say they’ve made significant advances in security – your guards must have x-ray vision, the way they can just ignore the scanner, when you come through. Did anyone frisk you after the metal detector? Did they at least ask you what YOU would like for breakfast? heh.
Seriously though, I have to agree – guards and security personnel should be attentive, and alert, at all times. I don’t care if there’s a light work-load, or it’s late. Tough. You show responsibility and attention to your duties, period. A guard is both a deterrent, and a calming force on guests and travelers — IF they project the proper stance and demeanor. Crossword puzzles and discussing the merits of Bangus over danggit for breakfast don’t really convey the necessary image, do they? Ugh.
Hello Dear. I did hear the word “tapsilog” being mentioned. Maybe they were discussing what’s on offer at the airport cafeteria? 😛
As a passenger, I’d like to feel safe in an airport. I don’t care if those personnel are bored or just waiting for their next paycheck. Airport security is a SERIOUS bizniz!
Naku Ajay, trust me. Manila airports are the least secure. how many time i have flew out of many and not a single ID was asked from me.
there was even a time. i think its October 2004 0\or 2005 i flew out of manila using a plane ticket that’s not on my name. di ba?!
Eric, that’s….. SHOCKING!!!!!1!
I’ve never experience this. They’ve been thorough enough for all my international flights. Although, I cannot say the same for domestic flights. :p
Hey ju! As a person working at the airport, let me say that security at the airport is just a show. If there would be terror attacks at airports, there are thousands of ways to do it… and believe me it would not be in the luggage. BUT this does not mean that security at the airport should be that lax. It is not only terrorism we should be scared of but “unwanted” passengers who can hurt other passengers
It is now implemented at Oslo airport that we even have to insert our ID’s at the counter so we can operate the conveyor. Before, anyone can just go over the counter and send a bag!
now that’s truly scary! in the philippines pa naman, if they know you, or a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend who is college classmate who is the son of the B and goes to the same parlor, they’d let you in.
Hi AL. yes, security may be for show but the travelling public deserves to feel secure. Reading a newspaper or chatting while at work is just plain unprofessional. Besides, how do you think tragedies like 911 happened? Reviewing airport surveillance cameras came rather late. So if I were to give a security briefing to those people, I would just simply tell them to “never let their guard down” while at work, or while they’re being PAID to work!
Hi Reynz. Don’t forget the name-dropping..not just friend of a friend but the cousin of Congressman this and General that…hehehe
Are you saying that Name-dropping gets you past the security, or past the entrance process, and hired? If you work for General so-and-so, then you clearly know who to call, when you’re denied entry. Heh.
Interesting reading, but then again last time I flew out of Heathrow I walked through security with a small bottle of liquid hand cleanser in my pocket, through the first manned x-ray machines, and then no one even bothered to stop me at the shoe x-raying machine as all the staff were too busy chatting. Not just the Philippines where security is a bit lacking.
I have a friend from El Al Israel. You know how security of Elal is, they are very thorough but he said the same thing to me. It gives false impression.
My husband walked through security in Manila, Spain and Oslo with a knife belt. Nobody said anything
A friend of a friend lost something in his luggage in the same terminal .. Sad!