Airlines, Airplanes and Airports - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 55

LukeyJoe

May 6th, 2009, 03:43 PM

I know I was able to check-through my luggage at MNL for a connecting flight in the US. The thing was the 2 airlines I used were on the same ticket. If I purchased the tickets for each leg separately (e.g. from each of the airlines' websites), will it still be a problem to request for a check through at my point of origin?

They also say that there are times the airport implies that you may not have a borading pass issued for your succeeding flight. Save for flights involving a US airport as a connecting hub or travel on a budget airline (or econolight), what circumstances will an airline not issue a boarding pass to a passenger for his succeeding flight? How will the baggage staff know that that passenger's luggage should be routed to his next flight instead of baggage claim when he is not checked-in?

One more question, can I get access to the PR lounge by paying up front if I'm an economy class passenger and a base member of Mabuhay Miles? I know of Priority Pass but it doesn't sponsor any lounge in T2?

I'll take a stab at the first two questions (based on my own experiences and conversations with travel agents that I've used in the past).

On your first question, the airlines responsibility to transport you and your luggage ends when you reach the destination you are ticketed for. So simply put, your contract with the first airline is to transport you from A to B. From B to C is with the second airline. As I recall, one of the travel agents told me that there's an agreement between airlines to transfer passengers and luggages, regardless of codeshare/alliances, if the connecting flights are on same itinerary. If a ticket is booked, this will notify all airlines concerned of a passenger and luggage transfer between them.

On the second question, in my own observation, there's a variety reason for this one. One reason is that the concerend airlines are not codeshare/alliance partners. Or simply that the your originating airline doesn't have access to your connecting airline's seat assignment system. On my recent flight from Guam to San Diego with tickets through American Airlines, I flew JAL (AA's codeshare/alliance partner) out of Guam but I still had to pick up my boarding pass at NRT. I asked the JAL check in agent why they can't issue AA boarding pass even though they are alliance partners, she said that their terminals are only connected to JAL's system and not to any of their alliance partner. On my upcoming trip back to Guam this weekend, I am ticketed via United, Hawaiian Airlines and Continental. I've already vefiried that my bags will be checked through but I have to pick up boarding passes for each leg at the connecting airport. Also when my family used to live in Italy, whenever we go back to the States or visit Pinas, we always fly to Rome via Alitalia and had to pick up our boarding passes for our connecting flights (USAir or Cathary Pacific both don't have codeshare/alliance partnership with Alitalia) although we don't see our luggages until we reach our destination.

Lastly, the bar coded tags they attach to your luggage tells the machine or baggage staff where your bags should be routed to. So even if you still have to pick up your boarding pass on connecting flights, your luggage is making its way through the system as long as the tags are appropriately marked. I still make it a point to ask whenever I check in whether my bags are checked all the way or if I have to pick it up somewhere in the middle of the trip. I also visually check the airport codes indicated on the tags.

Sky Harbor

May 6th, 2009, 03:48 PM

According to TV Patrol Northern Luzon (which thankfully is in Tagalog), SEAIR has expressed interest in operating MNL-BAG (again). Although I wonder: is there any way Loakan Airport can operate beyond noon despite the fog?

Chrisvenz

May 6th, 2009, 03:49 PM

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Moves to Flight Line for Testing
May 04, 2009 10:44 AM

http://web7.bernama.com/bernama/newspic/bu/050309-K64686-01-The%20first%20Boeing%20787%20Dreamliner%20moves%20from%20paint%20hangar%20out%20to%20fuel%20dock%20at%20Boeing%20facility%20in%20Everett,%20Wash.jpg

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will fly later this quarter has moved to the flight line.

Fuel testing - the first in the next phase of extensive checks the airplane must undergo - will begin in the next few days.

"We are making great progress, and moving ever-closer to first flight," Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program, said in a statement from Everett Sunday.

In recent weeks, Fancher said, the 787 (designated ZA001) completed a rigorous series of tests including build verification tests, structures and systems integration tests, landing gear swings and factory gauntlet, which is the full simulation of the first flight using the actual airplane.

He said with Chief Pilot Mike Carriker at the controls, the simulation tested all flight controls, hardware and software.

The simulation also included manual and automatic landings and an extensive suite of subsequent ground tests.

"These results give us confidence in our ability to move into further gauntlet testing using either ground power or the airplane's engines or auxiliary power unit. This is a significant milestone on the path to first flight," Fancher said.

All structural tests required on the static airframe prior to first flight also are complete.

The final test occurred April 21 when the wing and trailing edges were subjected to their limit load - the highest loads expected to be seen in service.

The load is about the same as the airplane experiencing 2.5 times the force of gravity.

"We continue to analyze the data, but the initial results are positive," Fancher said.

Ground vibration testing, which measures the airplane's response to flutter, also concluded on the second flight-test airplane, designated ZA002, at the end of this week.

All the necessary structural tests required prior to first flight now are complete.

Now on the flight line, ZA001 will undergo additional airplane power and systems tests as well as engine runs.

After completing final systems checks and high-speed taxi tests, the airplane will be ready for first flight, which is on schedule for later this quarter.

The 787 Dreamliner has orders for 886 airplanes from 57 customers.

-- BERNAMA

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=408505

Sky Harbor

May 6th, 2009, 03:50 PM

^^
I'm not ashame on it!

What you and Mike Enriquez shared are idealism Sky. Its what supposed to be but ICAO isn't so strict on community airports serving turboprop or GA traffic as to the mandated security measures. Why? Because of zero accident rate. The western world in U.S. Europe and the Carribean even have those similar scenario.

CxAVI-5At6E

kItD5vD0lhE

ty4LOSguQJ0

lAGPU0FGUx4

It would be unfair for these community airport to be compared with bigger ones. I would rather say that those serving regular jets and those with the most traffic has to be restricted for safety concerns, like Busuanga and Caticlan but not Catarman which handles at most 2 flights a day.

I always thought that Cebu Pacific is over-acting on this safety issue but its the reality in most airports of the world not just in the Philippines.

And there were no recorded accidents in aviation history involving pedestrian runway crossing or unauthorized vehicle incursions ever in those classified open airports. Animal strike and bird strike are quite too common but never human or vehicle strike. If it were, then PAL Express or Asian Spirit/Zest would not have operated there.

From my point of view, this open type airport is the most safe and more secure than fortified and fenced airports because of zero accident rate on its belt compared to say Hong kong where support vehicle rammed an A320 of PAL.

I'm not saying I'm waiting for accidents to happen. What I'm driving at is that this type of airport has zero human incursions and accident rate so far anywhere in the world. Therefore, its not too difficult for ICAO to bet on its safety record. Philippine Airlines does too.

Although I do not share Mike Enriquez's idealism, his idealism may not translate into the US pulling us out of Category 2.

Blackraven

May 6th, 2009, 04:02 PM

hybridace101

May 6th, 2009, 04:19 PM

I'll take a stab at the first two questions (based on my own experiences and conversations with travel agents that I've used in the past).

On your first question, the airlines responsibility to transport you and your luggage ends when you reach the destination you are ticketed for. So simply put, your contract with the first airline is to transport you from A to B. From B to C is with the second airline. As I recall, one of the travel agents told me that there's an agreement between airlines to transfer passengers and luggages, regardless of codeshare/alliances, if the connecting flights are on same itinerary. If a ticket is booked, this will notify all airlines concerned of a passenger and luggage transfer between them.

On the second question, in my own observation, there's a variety reason for this one. One reason is that the concerend airlines are not codeshare/alliance partners. Or simply that the your originating airline doesn't have access to your connecting airline's seat assignment system. On my recent flight from Guam to San Diego with tickets through American Airlines, I flew JAL (AA's codeshare/alliance partner) out of Guam but I still had to pick up my boarding pass at NRT. I asked the JAL check in agent why they can't issue AA boarding pass even though they are alliance partners, she said that their terminals are only connected to JAL's system and not to any of their alliance partner. On my upcoming trip back to Guam this weekend, I am ticketed via United, Hawaiian Airlines and Continental. I've already vefiried that my bags will be checked through but I have to pick up boarding passes for each leg at the connecting airport. Also when my family used to live in Italy, whenever we go back to the States or visit Pinas, we always fly to Rome via Alitalia and had to pick up our boarding passes for our connecting flights (USAir or Cathary Pacific both don't have codeshare/alliance partnership with Alitalia) although we don't see our luggages until we reach our destination.

Lastly, the bar coded tags they attach to your luggage tells the machine or baggage staff where your bags should be routed to. So even if you still have to pick up your boarding pass on connecting flights, your luggage is making its way through the system as long as the tags are appropriately marked. I still make it a point to ask whenever I check in whether my bags are checked all the way or if I have to pick it up somewhere in the middle of the trip. I also visually check the airport codes indicated on the tags.

Thank you very much for this detailed answer.

Let's say for the sake of argument that I booked a flight that will take me from MNL to JFK. The stopover is via LAX. A PR flight takes me from MNL-LAX and a DL flight will take me from LAX-JFK. Correct me if I'm wrong on the following:

a. If I checked-in online from LAX to JFK since DL offers it, there should be no problem right as I already have my boarding pass (i.e. proceed straight to security upon entry to the DL terminal)?
b. If I purchased the tickets separately (e.g. from their respective websites), I have to go to the DL check-in counter at its terminal and check the bags there? Does PR/T2's responsibility end with the first ticket?
c. If the ticket contains both flights (i.e. purchasing it from a travel agent), I can request to check my bags through (although I understand I have to clear it through customs first upon arrival at the US and simply return it to a designated baggage drop point?

On another scenario, same origin and final destination but we will stop at NRT and take an NH (ANA) flight to JFK. For the sake of argument, assuming PR and NH have no interline agreements or access to each other's database, does this mean we pick-up our luggage at NRT again? I like to clarify because you mentioned something about luggage being tagged through to the final destination and next flight (except if you use a budget airline) but how is this possible if PR has no access to NH's database?

Thanks once again! :D

michael_ray

May 6th, 2009, 06:12 PM

what about Clark and CDO?

CDO should have a thermal scanner too and all the strict precautionary measures for H1N1 considering that it's one of the busiest airports in the country.

Kintoy

May 6th, 2009, 06:25 PM

taken last weekend

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/P5010756a.jpg

thescene

May 6th, 2009, 06:46 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/business/global/07airbus.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes

PARIS — Airbus said Wednesday that it would cut back deliveries of the double-decker A380 jet, the biggest-ticket item in its catalog, as the economic downturn reduces airlines’ ability to pay for new planes that would increase capacity at a time of falling demand.

The announcement came as Boeing, Airbus’s American rival, told Bloomberg News that it was optimistic it would get a second order for the biggest plane it has ever built, the 467-seat 747-8.

Citing “the current economic and aviation crisis and following specific customer requests for deferrals,” Airbus said it expects to deliver 14 of the 525-seat aircraft in 2009, and more than 20 in 2010.

“Onward production rates and deliveries are dependent on airline demand and availability of customer financing,” the European aircraft maker added.

Airbus had been aiming to deliver 18 A380s this year. And that schedule had already been shaved back from 21 planned deliveries in 2009 and 45 in 2010.

Airbus said that the reduced delivery rate would have no impact on its operating profit this year. That, aerospace experts said, was because the A380, which has a list price of $237 million, is already deeply discounted for its first customers, who are also owed compensation for the aircraft’s two-year delay.

The company did not say which customers would not be taking delivery of A380s this year, but China Southern, Air France-KLM, Kingfisher of India and Qantas have all previously said they would defer deliveries of the giant jet.

Meanwhile, the head of Boeing’s 747 program, Mohammad Yahyavi, said the company “might have some surprises soon,” from negotiations with potential customers for the 747-8, only so far has only been ordered by Lufthansa. “Now we’ll see some movement,” he said.

The $301 million 747-8 has been designed as a replacement for the world’s 1,115-strong fleet of 747s. Though it is smaller than the A380, aviation experts say the Boeing aircraft may fit airline needs better than the Airbus jet amid current difficult market conditions.

Sky Harbor

May 6th, 2009, 07:22 PM

CDO should have a thermal scanner too and all the strict precautionary measures for H1N1 considering that it's one of the busiest airports in the country.

As far as I know, thermal scanners are not a priority for domestic airports, where city councils instead prefer to stock up on their supplies of Tamiflu in the event of a flu outbreak (especially since they have no service outside the Philippines, the presumption is they will be scanned either in Manila, Cebu or Davao). That's why Dumaguete is having a hard time securing funding for a thermal scanner, since their city council has already allocated P500,000 for additional supplies of Tamiflu. Since there are no H1N1 cases yet in the Philippines, domestic airports do not have to monitor as vigilantly as international airports do.

michael_ray

May 6th, 2009, 07:35 PM

As far as I know, thermal scanners are not a priority for domestic airports, where city councils instead prefer to stock up on their supplies of Tamiflu in the event of a flu outbreak (especially since they have no service outside the Philippines, the presumption is they will be scanned either in Manila, Cebu or Davao). That's why Dumaguete is having a hard time securing funding for a thermal scanner, since their city council has already allocated P500,000 for additional supplies of Tamiflu. Since there are no H1N1 cases yet in the Philippines, domestic airports do not have to monitor as vigilantly as international airports do.

Well, that's the sad thing... And when should we begin to monitor? When people have been exhibiting s/sx of swine flu already? Cut the crap....

Sky Harbor

May 6th, 2009, 08:18 PM

^^ Well, we have to put the cost factor into consideration. Most cities with airports can't possible afford to install thermal scanners.

mwg12a

May 7th, 2009, 12:49 AM

Besides, international passengers were already screened in all international airports in the Philippines so it is really unwise to repeat that in domestic airports since the spread of H1N1 virus are coming from outside the Philippines and that there is no known case that started IN the Philippines. I'm sure if there were those who was found to have been carrying the flu would be quarantined right away to prevent spread in the country.

LukeyJoe

May 7th, 2009, 01:18 AM

Thank you very much for this detailed answer.

Let's say for the sake of argument that I booked a flight that will take me from MNL to JFK. The stopover is via LAX. A PR flight takes me from MNL-LAX and a DL flight will take me from LAX-JFK. Correct me if I'm wrong on the following:

a. If I checked-in online from LAX to JFK since DL offers it, there should be no problem right as I already have my boarding pass (i.e. proceed straight to security upon entry to the DL terminal)?
b. If I purchased the tickets separately (e.g. from their respective websites), I have to go to the DL check-in counter at its terminal and check the bags there? Does PR/T2's responsibility end with the first ticket?
c. If the ticket contains both flights (i.e. purchasing it from a travel agent), I can request to check my bags through (although I understand I have to clear it through customs first upon arrival at the US and simply return it to a designated baggage drop point?

On another scenario, same origin and final destination but we will stop at NRT and take an NH (ANA) flight to JFK. For the sake of argument, assuming PR and NH have no interline agreements or access to each other's database, does this mean we pick-up our luggage at NRT again? I like to clarify because you mentioned something about luggage being tagged through to the final destination and next flight (except if you use a budget airline) but how is this possible if PR has no access to NH's database?

Thanks once again! :D

a. I haven't done this so I've got no first hand experience on this. The one complication I see with this is what if your plane is delayed and can't make your connecting flight? I know that if a connecting passenger missed a connecting flight due to late arrival because of origin carrier's fault, they will be assisted in being re-routed through a different flight. But if you check in online, you are essentially telling the airline that you are already on your way or will be able to make it in time to the the airport you are taking them from so the likelihood of them re-routing you will probably be less likely.

b. Let's say your port of entry is LAX. PR got you and your bags to LAX. That's what you paid them for. They will drop your luggage in LAX. T2 doesn't care where your bag end up at. It's PR that will tag your bags. PR does not care where else you go. Meanwhile, DL only knows that you are boarding them from LAX since that is the ticket you bought from them. So you have to check in with them to get your luggage on that flight.

c. When your flights are interconnecting as per your itinerary, you don't have to request for it to be checked through. It will happen. If you're not sure, just ask the agent or even the check in counter.

With regards to the last scenario, I think you're confusing luggage transfer with boarding pass. PR doesn't need to access NH system just to hand off your luggage to NH. Your travel agent should be able to tell you whether luggage transfer will happen on that airline pair. I don't know how interline agreement works, but I haven't had any problems with regards to luggages when I fly with non partner/non codeshare airlines. My experience so far is that the travel agent essentially is negotiating interconnect for you and all that is involved with the transfer to include your luggage. If a travel agent is concerned for the customer and not just their money, they should be able to inform of what's gonna be involved in the flight. An answer of "I'm not sure" or "I don't know" should send you looking for another agent.

hybridace101

May 7th, 2009, 03:23 AM

With regards to the last scenario, I think you're confusing luggage transfer with boarding pass. PR doesn't need to access NH system just to hand off your luggage to NH. Your travel agent should be able to tell you whether luggage transfer will happen on that airline pair. I don't know how interline agreement works, but I haven't had any problems with regards to luggages when I fly with non partner/non codeshare airlines. My experience so far is that the travel agent essentially is negotiating interconnect for you and all that is involved with the transfer to include your luggage. If a travel agent is concerned for the customer and not just their money, they should be able to inform of what's gonna be involved in the flight. An answer of "I'm not sure" or "I don't know" should send you looking for another agent.

Save for Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz or LastMinute, I don't know what the purpose of travel agents will be for decades from now considering bookings are increasingly done online. Although for me, if there are special requests or provisions, visiting a travel agency helps a lot.

The good thing about those 4 sites I mentioned is that it acts like a one-stop shop where you can consolidate your desired flights into a single ticket (if the airline has tied-up with those sites which PR lacks in some cases). It would be such a shame if they couldn't negotiate a check-through, at least for your luggage.

Have you even noticed that low cost carriers don't even or rarely tie-up with online or brick-and-mortar travel agencies? For B6, I believe the only way to book a flight is online, and that is the most convenient way to do it with other low-cost airlines. I believe (at least for american LCCs) becuase they aren't hooked up with a travel agent, you also can't request for a check-through even if your next immediate flight is with the same airline as the first...

FlashCollider

May 7th, 2009, 04:10 AM

taken last weekend

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu182/wetboxers/P5010756a.jpg

Neat Looking Airport. Love it.

hybridace101

May 7th, 2009, 05:22 AM

Once DL takes over NW's operations and brand, I hope it gets rewarded by being the first foreign carrier to operate out of T3 authorities give the all-clear.

What is it in the litigation that prevents more carriers from settling-in until further notice?

mwg12a

May 7th, 2009, 05:48 AM

Not gonna happen, there are four asian carriers that is supposed to set up there first. But who knows? That might change...

hybridace101

May 7th, 2009, 05:53 AM

Then maybe it should be the first western carrier. But I'm still curious what is it in this pending litigation why they just can't be allowed to move-in yet?

calbayognon

May 7th, 2009, 07:22 AM

^^
I'm not ashame on it!

What you and Mike Enriquez shared are idealism Sky. Its what supposed to be but ICAO isn't so strict on community airports serving turboprop or GA traffic as to the mandated security measures. Why? Because of zero accident rate. The western world in U.S. Europe and the Carribean even have those similar scenario.

CxAVI-5At6E

kItD5vD0lhE

ty4LOSguQJ0

lAGPU0FGUx4

It would be unfair for these community airport to be compared with bigger ones. I would rather say that those serving regular jets and those with the most traffic has to be restricted for safety concerns, like Busuanga and Caticlan but not Catarman which handles at most 2 flights a day.

I always thought that Cebu Pacific is over-acting on this safety issue but its the reality in most airports of the world not just in the Philippines.

And there were no recorded accidents in aviation history involving pedestrian runway crossing or unauthorized vehicle incursions ever in those classified open airports. Animal strike and bird strike are quite too common but never human or vehicle strike. If it were, then PAL Express or Asian Spirit/Zest would not have operated there.

From my point of view, this open type airport is the most safe and more secure than fortified and fenced airports because of zero accident rate on its belt compared to say Hong kong where support vehicle rammed an A320 of PAL.

I'm not saying I'm waiting for accidents to happen. What I'm driving at is that this type of airport has zero human incursions and accident rate so far anywhere in the world. Therefore, its not too difficult for ICAO to bet on its safety record. Philippine Airlines does too.

I THINK CEBU PACIFIC IS NOT OVER REACTING BECAUSE SAFETY CAN NOT BE COMPROMISED. THERE WERE INSTANCES ALREADY OF ALMOST NEAR MISHAP IN THE PAST INVOLVING ASIAN SPIRIT. IN FACT ONE INSTANCE WAS WHEN THE WHEELS OF THE ASIAN SPIRIT BAE 146-100 CAUGHT THE WIRES OF THE POST NEAR THE RUNWAY WHICH CAUSED A BLCKOUT IN THE ENTIRE CATARMAN AND NEARBY TOWNS.ANOTHER ONE WAS WHEN A CARABAO CROSSED THE RUNWAY WHEN A PAL FOKKER 50 WAS ABOUT TO LAND AND THE PLANE BY PASSED CATARMAN AND RETURNED TO MANILA.

RUNWAYS WERE BUILT FOR THE AIRPLANES AND NOT FOR THE PEOPLE OR ANY KIND OF ANIMAL FOR THAT MATTER. IF YOU ARE ON BOARD THAT FLIGHT WHEN A CARABAO CROSSED THE STREET AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO MANILA WHAT WOULD YOU FEEL?

Sky Harbor

May 7th, 2009, 07:41 AM

^^ Doesn't Catarman have a reliever airport to run to in that situation? I'd always think that if Catarman was too unsafe to fly to, they can divert the flight to Calbayog, Catbalogan or Sorsogon instead of having to fly all the way back to Manila.

kiretoce

May 7th, 2009, 07:41 AM

@calbayognon: Why are you shouting!?

bcanieso

May 7th, 2009, 10:26 AM

venntro

May 7th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Korean Air says losses rise on weak won (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160239/Korean-Air-says-losses-rise-on-weak-won)
05/07/2009 | 12:52 PM

SEOUL - Korean Air Lines Co. said its first quarter net loss widened as weakness in the South Korean won drove up costs denominated in dollars.

Korean Air lost 526.3 billion won ($413 million) in the three months ended March 31, the company said in a statement. Korean Air posted a net loss of 325.5 billion won a year earlier.

The result marked the sixth straight quarterly loss for South Korea's largest airline. Among passenger airlines, Korean Air is also the world's biggest carrier of international commercial cargo.

Korean Air spokeswoman Lee Ji-hye said that weakness in the South Korean won hit the company's bottom line by increasing costs it has in dollars, such as servicing its foreign debt and paying for fuel.

The South Korean currency traded 32 percent lower against the dollar on average in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same period last year, according to Bank of Korea data.

Korean Air booked a foreign exchange loss of 614.9 billion won, 62.9 percent higher than in the first quarter last year, the statement said.

The airline's borrowings denominated in dollars, which account for the overwhelming majority of its foreign debt, totaled $4.72 billion as of March 31, the statement said.

Korean Air's sales during the quarter were flat at 2.26 trillion won from the year before.

Shares in Korean Air, which released earnings results after the stock market opened, fell 0.6 percent to 41,600 won at around midday. - AP

swahi

May 7th, 2009, 11:59 AM

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090507-203646/PAL-Cebu-Pacific-cancel-flightsreport

PAL, Cebu Pacific cancel flights—report

Close this MANILA, Philippines – Two local airlines have cancelled their flights to and from Tuguegarao due to rains caused by typhoon “Emong,” according to a radio report, quoting the media affairs office of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific made the announcement Thursday, the report said.

It also said that PAL cancelled eight other flights but due to an “air draft situation” and not because of the bad weather.

What is an "air draft situation?"

NightDog

May 7th, 2009, 05:01 PM

There are specific regulations by the CAAP( Civil Aviation Authority of the Phils) regarding restrictions of vehicular traffic specifically on aircraft movement areas in which only those authorized will be allowed on the air side the the airport terminal. The air side refers to the part of the airport where the aircraft moves about ie; runway, taxiways and terminal apron.:)

That's right migs. The aircraft movement area should be clear from all non-authorized equipments & even FOD (screws, bolts, nuts, metal strips), how much more the people. It is clearly instructed to anybody who will take apron driving license.

For airline personnel in Manila airport case, though some are authorized to cross the runway 31, but they have to wait for the green signal from the tower before crossing & they have to have a CB radio always tuned in to tower VHF frequency.

but still, the former ATO has not enforced the procedures strictly.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090507-203646/PAL-Cebu-Pacific-cancel-flightsreport

PAL, Cebu Pacific cancel flights—report

Close this MANILA, Philippines – Two local airlines have cancelled their flights to and from Tuguegarao due to rains caused by typhoon “Emong,” according to a radio report, quoting the media affairs office of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific made the announcement Thursday, the report said.

It also said that PAL cancelled eight other flights but due to an “air draft situation” and not because of the bad weather.

What is an "air draft situation?"

it's aircraft situation.

urban Iegend

May 7th, 2009, 07:53 PM

PAL A320 Landing @ TAC

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3509499548_2cfb6d887e_o.jpg

Some LSF members requested I shoot from across the bay towards the airport

Uncropped & unphotoshopped 2.2km away from the public park where the Lion's Den is located and where the Philippine Dragonboat team were performing.

eos 5d mark ii + 800mm

by alabang (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alabang/)

b_star

May 7th, 2009, 08:16 PM

Does anybody have a picture of the PAL Express plane with the dolphin on it (I think reg. RP-C3017? I specifically need a good photo of the dolphin in the back with the seaweed and the shell. Need it for a vacation slideshow. Many thanks in advance.

Skyblade

May 8th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Here's some pics from my trip to the Philippines last month. The entire routing of the trip was LAX-ICN-MNL-WNP,MNL-ZAM-CEB-ILO-MNL-HKG-NRT-DTW-LAX on top visiting 14 distinct airport lounges which offered me a very busy spring break. :D Burnt 120,000 WorldPerks miles on the SkyTeam segments before Delta began implementing those accursed award fees. ;)

Double treat at LAX
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnI027.jpg

My most favourite Prestige Class seat on the 747 :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnI104.jpg

ICN
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnII094.jpg

Seated in 1A of the F cabin, but was sold as C as ICN-MNL is a two-class flight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ICNIII020.jpg

Obligatory shot of T3 ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii003.jpg

Finally at Naga
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii062.jpg

Zamboanga
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii421.jpg

Mactan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii420.jpg

The Mabuhay Lounge in Iloilo Airport
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo112.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo118.jpg

Int'l Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo223.jpg

Onboard my flight to HKG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo240.jpg

NW A330 that'll take me to NRT and a PR A319 in the background calling me to return to the Philippines ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg130.jpg

The integration continues...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg182.jpg

One last shot of the WBC cabin before I deplane at NRT
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg205.jpg

The newly renovated WorldClub at Satellite 2 of Terminal 1 in NRT
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg260.jpg

In-flight to DTW
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg284.jpg

I'll be honest, the ExpressTram at DTW would look good in Delta blue. :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg346.jpg

Boarding my flight back to LAX in DTW. Note the new signage. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg353.jpg

The rest can be found here:
Korean Air Flight 18 (LAX-ICN) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72326&id=506753907&l=5d6b34d884)
Korean Air Flight 623 (ICN-MNL) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74392&id=506753907&l=396213e433)
NAIA Terminal 3 and Cebu Pacific 521 (MNL-WNP) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74291&id=506753907&l=70eda67739)
Cebu Pacific 434 and 166 (ZAM-CEB-MNL) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75477&id=506753907&l=f6e4b87a72)
Philippine Airlines 144 and 310 (ILO-MNL-HKG) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75538&id=506753907&l=fce4247f00)
Lounge-hopping in HKIA & Northwest Flight 8 (HKG-NRT) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75896&id=506753907&l=1fd26e8bea)
Northwest Flights 12 and 331 (NRT-DTW-LAX) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75905&id=506753907&l=757be324b0)

hybridace101

May 8th, 2009, 01:58 AM

^^
Very nice! Noticeably a lot of A330s. Why was DL's IFE in German? For now that DTW station in the last pic should include NW so it can be NW-DL-KL-AF to look perfect.

ILO appears much better than any of the terminals of MNL. If only they were bigger. Just curious, did you check your luggage through to HKG from ILO and no claim it at MNL?

By the way, you know you could have saved time by going nonstop NRT-LAX right? :)

Skyblade

May 8th, 2009, 02:35 AM

Thanks!

^^
Noticeably a lot of A330s.
No kidding! What makes it funkier was that all the A330 flights were originally listed as 744 flights in my itinerary when I originally booked them. Then came the downgauging. :nuts:

^^
Why was DL's IFE in German?

The opening screen usually gives out messages in different languages. ;)

Just curious, did you check your luggage through to HKG from ILO and no claim it at MNL?

Indeed it was a through-check to HKG, though I wish I did claim it in MNL just to try out the personal baggage carousel that C class passengers can avail to. :lol:

By the way, you know you could have saved time by going nonstop NRT-LAX right? :)
Indeed I do, but having flown NRT-LAX on different airlines numerous times, I thought I'd:
- Make my FlightMemory (http://my.flightmemory.com/N751PR)map look a bit more colourful. :nuts:
- Maximize my time flying World Business Class considering eastbound trans-Pac flights really do go by fast. ;)
- Checkout the progress on the integration of NW into DL at DTW as well as in at least one domestic flight.
- Make one last symbolic visit to DTW as I fly NW TPAC one last time. After that flight, I'm moving to United and if I do fly them again, they'll already be a part of Delta. :(
- PerkSaver award availability on NRT-LAX wasn't avalaible when I booked, though the agent in HKG offered to switch me to that flight, of which I declined due to the above reasons. :D

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 02:55 AM

Int'l Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo223.jpg

I can't wait to try the Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA-2 again someday, despite the bad Skytrax reviews (like how they say that it's mediocre at best). The last time I was there (back in 2001), it certainly did not look like that. If I'm lucky enough to get into Mabuhay Class on a Real Deal ticket through "connections" for MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL, that would be great. :D

I'll be honest, the ExpressTram at DTW would look good in Delta blue. :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg346.jpg

Boarding my flight back to LAX in DTW. Note the new signage. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg353.jpg

These shots made my day. I miss Detroit. When I go back to PIT next year, I'll end up in a Delta plane, in a Delta terminal. But I'll still remain ever-loyal to Delta (with Northwest).

As they say, the sun will never set on Northwest Airlines! :okay:

7yTftPVbH-Q

A Registered User

May 8th, 2009, 03:22 AM

PAL is receiving 2 777-300ER soon. :banana:

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 03:26 AM

^^ Supposedly, the first two 77Ws will arrive by November.

romantic_guy08

May 8th, 2009, 03:32 AM

^^

RP-C7773 by December and RP-C7777 by January next year...

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 03:47 AM

venntro

May 8th, 2009, 03:52 AM

PAL defends online ticket sales despite opposition (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160294/PAL-defends-online-ticket-sales-despite-opposition)
RUBY ANNE M. RUBIO, GMANews.TV
05/07/2009 | 05:13 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) defended its two-day online promotion that halved fares after local travel agents sought government intervention regarding its internet ticket sales.

Only a limited number of seats were sold for the travel periods covering the lean months of the year, the Lucio Tan-led airline said in a statement.

“This promo allows PAL to maximize its seat capacity by rewarding its loyal clients with a limited number of discounted tickets which PAL believes is fair. After all, it is the traveling public who will benefit from this promo," it said.

For its part, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) opposed the airlines’ online strategy, warning that such promotions will mean 10,000 jobs lost before the yearend.

The group said it will ask assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), PTAA president Paz R. Alberto said in a statement.

PAL’s promotion, which started in April 27, offered flights as low as $38 to Taipei from Manila and as high as $418 for flights to US or Canada.

The prices are exclusive of government taxes and other fees collected at the airport.

Travel to US and Canada are valid for outbound travel from June 1 to December 25, 2009.

Travel to Asia and Guam are valid from June 1 to Oct. 15, 2009.

“The deal was designed specifically to allow PAL’s loyal clients to book their international and regional flights at discounted rates using the airline’s internet booking facility. It was the airline’s way of actively promoting its internet booking service which has been a regular feature of its web facilities for quite some time," PAL said.

However, Alberto said some of the industry’s members may abandon exclusivity with PAL and support other airlines because of “less" support and losses of “millions of pesos."

But PAL said Internet booking service has been a regular feature of its online facilities for quite sometime.

“Besides, the promo was meant to stimulate demand during the recession which, in the long run, will benefit aviation-related businesses like hotels, restaurants, resorts as well as travel agencies. More travelers simply mean more business," it added.

PAL’s Website was overloaded by travelers in search for cheap airfares.

“The public’s overwhelming response to its promo speaks for itself: during difficult times, passengers are looking for opportunities to travel at much reduced cost, without sacrificing safety, reliability and comfort," PAL said. - GMANews.TV

venntro

May 8th, 2009, 03:53 AM

PAL waives rebooking penalties due to H1N1 (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/160293/PAL-waives-rebooking-penalties-due-to-H1N1)
05/07/2009 | 05:06 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ flag carrier said it is waiving “rebooking and refund penalties for passengers" who are apprehensive of traveling due to the influenza A-H1N1, previously known as “swine flu."

“PAL will rebook flights or refund tickets without penalties on international sectors only and within the ticket validity period if presented before 31 May 2009," Philippine Airlines said in a statement.

The waivers may also be eligible to domestic ticket holders provided that these were issued in conjunction with an international flight, the company said.

Low-priced tickets purchased under PAL's recent Real Deal promo are excluded from the penalty waiver.

However, other charges such as non user’s or “no-show" fee will apply.

Passengers may call PAL Reservations, 855-8888 or 855-7888, for rebooking and other queries. - GMANews.TV

Skyblade

May 8th, 2009, 04:49 AM

I can't wait to try the Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA-2 again someday, despite the bad Skytrax reviews (like how they say that it's mediocre at best).The last time I was there (back in 2001), it certainly did not look like that.

Indeed, I was a bit wary of the Mabuhay Lounge after reading reviews over there as well. It didn't feel as warm (figuratively and physically, they had the AC on full blast) as other lounges that I'm accustomed to, but it still is a decent place. Alright, it's not as nice as other flagship lounges and there's always room for improvement, but I was content with the offerings of this lounge.

Food-wise, it still blows most US domestic lounges out of the water...I mean this is from a person that gets excited to hear that the NW WorldClub in MSP serves hot soup. :lol: (That experiment didn't last long though. :()

If I'm lucky enough to get into Mabuhay Class on a Real Deal ticket through "connections" for MNL-CEB-NRT-CEB-MNL, that would be great. :D

The arroz caldo will be waiting for you if you do succeed. ;)

I miss Detroit. When I go back to PIT next year, I'll end up in a Delta plane, in a Delta terminal. But I'll still remain ever-loyal to Delta (with Northwest).

Indeed, the WorldGateway is one of the reasons why I stuck with NW. It's not as delay prone as certain nearby hubs, has a straightforward layout which makes navigating easy, and is just all out airy and spacious.

Just wish I had your kind of loyalty though. After the merger went through and WorldPerks going downhill, I've moved over to UA, and while it has it's perks (Economy Plus, Channel 9, partnership with a Japanese airline which helps in my trips over there, etc), there are certain things that can't be replaced...and I really can't think of many great things about connecting through ORD. :(

^^

RP-C7773 by December and RP-C7777 by January next year...

Hawt dawg! Talk about a lovely X-mas present. :lol:

kiretoce

May 8th, 2009, 05:01 AM

Woohoo! Joe! You're back! :cheer:

Missed your flight logs, thanks for sharing another excellent photo spread of your journeys. Looks like you had a very hectic spring break indeed! :okay:

Here's some pics from my trip to the Philippines last month. The entire routing of the trip was LAX-ICN-MNL-WNP,MNL-ZAM-CEB-ILO-MNL-HKG-NRT-DTW-LAX on top visiting 14 distinct airport lounges which offered me a very busy spring break. :D Burnt 120,000 WorldPerks miles on the SkyTeam segments before Delta began implementing those accursed award fees. ;)

Double treat at LAX
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnI027.jpg

My most favourite Prestige Class seat on the 747 :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnI104.jpg

ICN
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/icnII094.jpg

Seated in 1A of the F cabin, but was sold as C as ICN-MNL is a two-class flight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ICNIII020.jpg

Obligatory shot of T3 ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii003.jpg

Finally at Naga
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii062.jpg

Zamboanga
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii421.jpg

Mactan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/zamii420.jpg

The Mabuhay Lounge in Iloilo Airport
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo112.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo118.jpg

Int'l Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo223.jpg

Onboard my flight to HKG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/ilo240.jpg

NW A330 that'll take me to NRT and a PR A319 in the background calling me to return to the Philippines ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg130.jpg

The integration continues...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg182.jpg

One last shot of the WBC cabin before I deplane at NRT
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg205.jpg

The newly renovated WorldClub at Satellite 2 of Terminal 1 in NRT
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg260.jpg

In-flight to DTW
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg284.jpg

I'll be honest, the ExpressTram at DTW would look good in Delta blue. :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg346.jpg

Boarding my flight back to LAX in DTW. Note the new signage. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Skyblade04/hkg353.jpg

The rest can be found here:
Korean Air Flight 18 (LAX-ICN) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72326&id=506753907&l=5d6b34d884)
Korean Air Flight 623 (ICN-MNL) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74392&id=506753907&l=396213e433)
NAIA Terminal 3 and Cebu Pacific 521 (MNL-WNP) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74291&id=506753907&l=70eda67739)
Cebu Pacific 434 and 166 (ZAM-CEB-MNL) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75477&id=506753907&l=f6e4b87a72)
Philippine Airlines 144 and 310 (ILO-MNL-HKG) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75538&id=506753907&l=fce4247f00)
Lounge-hopping in HKIA & Northwest Flight 8 (HKG-NRT) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75896&id=506753907&l=1fd26e8bea)
Northwest Flights 12 and 331 (NRT-DTW-LAX) (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75905&id=506753907&l=757be324b0)

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 05:19 AM

Indeed, I was a bit wary of the Mabuhay Lounge after reading reviews over there as well. It didn't feel as warm (figuratively and physically, they had the AC on full blast) as other lounges that I'm accustomed to, but it still is a decent place. Alright, it's not as nice as other flagship lounges and there's always room for improvement, but I was content with the offerings of this lounge.

Food-wise, it still blows most US domestic lounges out of the water...I mean this is from a person that gets excited to hear that the NW WorldClub in MSP serves hot soup. :lol: (That experiment didn't last long though. :()

The arroz caldo will be waiting for you if you do succeed. ;)

I can't wait. :lol:

Indeed, the WorldGateway is one of the reasons why I stuck with NW. It's not as delay prone as certain nearby hubs, has a straightforward layout which makes navigating easy, and is just all out airy and spacious.

Just wish I had your kind of loyalty though. After the merger went through and WorldPerks going downhill, I've moved over to UA, and while it has it's perks (Economy Plus, Channel 9, partnership with a Japanese airline which helps in my trips over there, etc), there are certain things that can't be replaced...and I really can't think of many great things about connecting through ORD. :(

The NW loyalty is actually a very amusing story. My mom likes how Detroit as a hub is not as busy as LAX, ORD or JFK, while my grandmother is a WorldPerks Silver Elite member. NW makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and having flown with them as a UM for six years (and with family for two), flying Northwest is all but a tradition.

US and UA though are not so lucky, although I liked how when we flew LAX-ORD-PIT back in 2003, the flight attendant allowed my sister's oversized stuffed bear to occupy a vacant seat in our row. I still hold a grudge against US for what they did to PIT (although a lot are blaming the incompetent Allegheny County Airport Authority), and UA doesn't have direct service to MNL. I still wish PAL would interline more often with DL or NW more. ;)

I will only move though to another airline if WorldPerks miles begin to have attached expiry dates. The most likely candidate: KE (originally, it was supposed to be CO, but since they're moving to Star Alliance, it makes no sense anymore).

kiretoce

May 8th, 2009, 05:44 AM

CAAP urged to close Catarman airport over safety concerns (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/9984-caap-urged-to-close-catarman-airport-over-safety-concerns.html)

Suggestion has been forwarded to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to consider the temporary closure of Catarman Airport if the local government will not cooperate in enforcing an aviation rule prohibiting vehicles and people from using the runway for their various activities.

The proposal has been made by several aviation groups, saying that safety is always the paramount concern when it comes to airport operations.

It also came in the wake of the suspension of Cebu Pacific’s (CEB) four-times- weekly Manila-Catarman flight, after the air carrier had to abort several landings in the past owing to people and vehicles on the runway.

In an earlier incident, the landing of a Cebu Pacific ATR-72 turbo-prop plane at the airport in Legazpi City had to be aborted after a vehicle was found running around the runway.

Subsequent investigation showed that the son of the Legazpi airport manager was teaching his girlfriend to drive.

CAAP director general Ruben Ciron suspended the Legaspi airport chief.

Ciron said CAAP has sent five security personnel to Catarman to enforce the rule preventing residents from using the runway as playground, or crossing it willy-nilly aboard their cars, but to no avail.

A few years back, the then Air Transportation Office constructed a perimeter fence around the runway, but residents, whose houses sit cheek-by-jowl with the runway’s edge, have destroyed the infrastructure.

It was gathered that the residents were encouraged by the local government, which filed a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop CAAP from enforcing the rule that forbids trespassing on the runway and its immediate environment.

A Catarman official said that since the TRO was filed, the runway has often been used by residents to congregate, treating it as a playground, a park and a lover’s lane, all rolled into one.

“At night, it becomes a convenient motel,” the Catarman official said, adding that the paved runway make for an ideal trysting place for lovers, because it is dark and has concrete pavement that makes parking easier.

Keeping the runway free of obstacles is an overriding concern of the CAAP, even if there are no longer regular scheduled flights in that airport.

In an incident some years ago, the pilot of a distressed light plane was forced to ditch in the sea after seeing people and vehicles on the Catarman airport’s runway. The pilot thought that the runway was a provincial road.

CAAP and CEB officials met on Tuesday to resolve the issue.

CEB officials asked Ciron to act decisively in enforcing security measure at the Catarman airport before a serious accident happens.

As a result, Ciron sent a team to Catarman to talk to local officials and convince the residents to avoid congregating on the runway, especially during daytime.

A short-term solution is the reconstruction of the perimeter fence, but funds for that project are not available.

Ciron said the long-term solution is to relocate the runway far from the town so that it would be inaccessible to those who wanted to use it for their personal pleasure.

Part of the runway abuts the Catarman National Park.

Although CEB suspended flights to Catarman, Philippine Airlines and Zest Air continue to fly there.

frequentflier

May 8th, 2009, 06:02 AM

I can't wait. :lol:

The NW loyalty is actually a very amusing story. My mom likes how Detroit as a hub is not as busy as LAX, ORD or JFK, while my grandmother is a WorldPerks Silver Elite member. NW makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and having flown with them as a UM for six years (and with family for two), flying Northwest is all but a tradition.

US and UA though are not so lucky, although I liked how when we flew LAX-ORD-PIT back in 2003, the flight attendant allowed my sister's oversized stuffed bear to occupy a vacant seat in our row. I still hold a grudge against US for what they did to PIT (although a lot are blaming the incompetent Allegheny County Airport Authority), and UA doesn't have direct service to MNL. I still wish PAL would interline more often with DL or NW more. ;)

I will only move though to another airline if WorldPerks miles begin to have attached expiry dates. The most likely candidate: KE (originally, it was supposed to be CO, but since they're moving to Star Alliance, it makes no sense anymore).

UA now has interline agreements w/ PR. you can fly from ORD-HKG then catch a PR flight to MNL.

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 06:09 AM

^^ PR also has interline agreements with DL, NW and CO. They should interline with them more than with UA or US (which they always do whenever I mock-book online). It's not like PAL will be entering Star Alliance or something. Someone on A.Net even suggested PAL is better off having AA as its strategic partner in North America, although personally, I'd prefer US airlines that serve Manila to be in that capacity.

Skyblade

May 8th, 2009, 09:54 AM

Woohoo! Joe! You're back! :cheer:

Missed your flight logs, thanks for sharing another excellent photo spread of your journeys. Looks like you had a very hectic spring break indeed! :okay:
Thanks man! It's good to be back (again). :D

I still hold a grudge against US for what they did to PIT (although a lot are blaming the incompetent Allegheny County Airport Authority)

I feel for ya there. PIT looked like one nice airport to connect through, at least compared to the clusterf*ck of PHL. :lol: Would've definitely connected there a bit more if it meant sparing me from PHL, ORD, and IAD. ;)

...and UA doesn't have direct service to MNL.
Indeed, it makes me miss their flights to MNL. Having originally lived up in Michigan and eventually California, we'd always fly ORD/LAX-NRT-MNL with them. Ever since they axed it, we switched to PR and from there I moved to NW (as much as I would've liked to have it, Mabuhay Miles Premier Elite won't be of much help if I fly LAX-BOS ;)). Now back to UA, I now have to rely on OZ, TG, and SQ to get me there or fly into HKG, SGN, or SIN (if I REALLY wanna earn some EQMs!) and connect with PR/5J from there. Would've been nice to have burnt a systemwide upgrade to Manila...:(

The most likely candidate: KE
I definitely LOVE KE, but unfortunately I can't say the same with their FFM program, SkyPass. :( Earn/burn is not as great as most of their fellow SkyTeam partners and it takes 500k lifetime miles to earn SkyTeam Elite Plus vs 75k annual elite qualifying miles with NW/DL (a big perk, though, is that at least the Morning Calm/Elite Plus status on KE will last a lifetime while you have to constantly renew annually with NW/DL unless you obtain lifetime Platinum...which is a whopping 4,000,000 MQMs :uh: ).

(originally, it was supposed to be CO, but since they're moving to Star Alliance, it makes no sense anymore).
Aww, c'mon now, you know you wanna try out the Island Hopper to MNL. ;)

NightDog

May 8th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 10:54 AM

Aww, c'mon now, you know you wanna try out the Island Hopper to MNL. ;)

MNL-GUM-HNL-(LAX)-IAH-(CLE)-PIT seems like a lot of work. This is why I wish NW made the WorldPerks agreement with PR instead of 5J. It could bolster PR's chances of joining SkyTeam. :D

Chrisvenz

May 8th, 2009, 12:13 PM

Mile-high wedding club: airline plans in-flight nuptials
7 May 2009
Agence France Presse

A British budget airline wants to organise weddings in the sky, aiming to be the first carrier to let couples tie the knot at cruising altitude, it said Thursday.

Easyjet has applied to local authorities at its base at Luton airport, north of London, seeking permission for pilots to officiate in the sky-high nuptials.

"More and more couples are looking for an extraordinary wedding: under water, during parachute jumping, on the football ground -- creativity knows no bounds," said the airline.

"If our request is replied positively, then so-called 'floating on cloud nine' would get a new meaning for people in love," said Paul Simmons, easyJet’s UK regional general manager.

A "small charge" would be levied for the service if approved, a spokesman added.

Luton Borough Council said it was awaiting full details of the proposal before assessing whether it could approve in-flight weddings.

"We have only just received a letter from easyJet and will be responding in due course," said a council spokesman.

"While there are clearly laws governing marriage ceremonies, we are not yet aware of the full details of what easyJet are proposing to do, therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Easyjet captain Jeffery Husson added: "To officiate a wedding is a special honour for me. It would be exciting, if I could marry couples above the clouds."

hybridace101

May 8th, 2009, 03:40 PM

PAL has new enhancements on its websites:
1. a new mobile-friendly site - philippineairlines.mobi; and
2. a virtual tour of the refurbished 747: http://www.philippineairlines.com/products_and_services/during_your_flight/cabin_interior/mabuhay_class/virtual_cabin_tour/bcl_upperdeck.jsp

Great! Now all we need is the ability to check-in online.

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 03:49 PM

^^ I'd call them add-ons, not enhancements. An enhancement would be something similar to a complete overhaul of PAL's booking engine so the Real Deal madness won't happen again.

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 04:00 PM

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 04:02 PM

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 04:04 PM

^^ Well, you have CI, CS, KE, CO, VN and MH to choose from if you choose to fly internationally. I really think though that NW should scrap the WorldPerks agreement with 5J and move it to PR. Heck, turning it into a codeshare agreement is even better! :D

Yup hopefully they do choose PR.

I wonder how easy I can book a flight with those airlines using my miles... will try their websites! :)

PS: I don't want to book a flight... I'd rather shop at Sky Mall... :lol:

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 04:23 PM

^^ Oh wait...I forgot. You can book with Jetstar Asia Airways too (and Thai AirAsia)! :D

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 04:37 PM

^Not one goes to Mideast? So I'd rather go to Europe... I think they're tied up with KLM as well, right?

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 04:39 PM

^^ There's MH (and KE and CS, depending on where you want to go). If you move to SkyMiles, you can probably redeem on SQ too.

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 04:44 PM

^Ow did I miss that?

Well, I'd rather visit Deutschland than Dubai. :lol:

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 04:49 PM

^^ :lol:

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 05:18 PM

Q: How will the miles integration between NWA and DL happen? Will the WorldPerks miles be absorbed by the "conquerors"?

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 05:31 PM

^^ That's what's most likely going to happen. This is why I hope DL reverts to having all their miles not expiring. Because if they do, then I'll be forced to move to another frequent flyer program (most likely candidate: KE).

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 05:38 PM

OK thanks. I then have to prepare my itinerary for the next few months, jetsetter mode once more. The crisis came as a bonus for tourists --- more bang for the buck... :lol:

hybridace101

May 8th, 2009, 07:22 PM

^^ Well, you have CI, CS, KE, CO, VN and MH to choose from if you choose to fly internationally. I really think though that NW should scrap the WorldPerks agreement with 5J and move it to PR. Heck, turning it into a codeshare agreement is even better! :D

I think that's at the mercy of the FAA who has the power to take RP out of Cat2. Also, unlike other FFPs, to earn Mabuhay Miles you have to be ticketed on a PR-coded flight. I took EK 2 years ago and they didn't accept my Mabuhay Miles because it wasn't PR-coded. I wonder what is it with PR needing their code-share flights to be coded under PR to accrue miles (I mean, what's the difference?).

Have you noticed what's common with most of the big-time SkyTeam stallwarts and PR? A bi-class cabin for long-haul routes.

On a completely different subject, who knows a website where we can access historical flight data (e.g. such as the reg# of the aircraft used during a flight for a certain day, its actual flying time)?

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 07:41 PM

^^ PR's mileage accrual and redemption agreements are not system-wide. They only apply to their code-share routes, which all operate out of or to Manila. You can, for example, earn miles on MNL-DXB when flying EK, but not DXB-LHR. As much as I would love system-wide mileage accrual and redemption, I'm not sure how PAL will respond to this idea. That's why when the Philippines is pulled out of Category 2, NW should scrap their WorldPerks redemption agreement with Cebu Pacific and pursue a more comprehensive codeshare agreement with PAL. At the same time, PAL needs to pursue an aggressive policy of codesharing with other carriers while at the same time opening new routes.

Yes, I know I'll have to choose between mileage programs. If and when WorldPerks miles have attached expiration dates, I might as well move to KE (and abandon PR in the process, since they have expiry dates on their miles too).

hybridace101

May 8th, 2009, 08:27 PM

^^

Nevermind passengers not being able to earn on DXB-LHR but why should the EK-operated flight between MNL and DXB be coded PR in your ticket to be eligible for mileage accrual?

Now since we own the codeshare subject, I observed that of all the airlines and airports I can think of at the back of my head, both PR and MNL have the most scarce code-share operations. For instance, I see an NW-coded KL-operated flight out of LIS or KUL (to AMS of course) but no DL- or AF-coded flight out of MNL, even if neither origin or destination involves their respective hubs. Likewise, no PR-coded flight on any western route even if it doesnt involve MNL. So far, only Garuda has a code-share agreement with PR being the operating carrier.

Lucentino

May 8th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Bottomline: Codesharing is all about the money. If they dont earn, you dont get miles. :)

EY also has a codeshare with PR, but unless you bought the ticket as PR-EK, no Mabuhay Miles there. And oh, a codeshared EY-PR booking of AUH-MNL-AUH cost less than normal EY booking.

Sky Harbor

May 8th, 2009, 08:44 PM

MNL-DXB is not bookable via PR's website, but it is through EK and travel agencies. The PR code-share, if I'm right, is probably only applicable to bookings made departing from MNL and not the other way around, or on bookings made within the Philippines. More often than not, MNL-DXB on EK should also be coded as a PR flight, so try giving your Mabuhay Miles card.

Northwest flights to and from the Philippines are codeshared with DL and CO, if I remember correctly. You don't notice that on your ticket or in the display monitor at MNL, but you do at either NRT/NGO or DTW. Believe me, I've seen it quite a few times.

Garuda is not the only carrier with a codeshare agreement with PAL where PAL is the primary carrier; this arrangement also applies on MNL-SGN which is codeshared with VN. But remember, PAL is still cash-strapped: VN got into SkyTeam with considerable government support since it is a state-owned carrier.

hybridace101

May 9th, 2009, 02:08 AM

Skyblade

May 9th, 2009, 08:25 AM

Are you saying my Miles will go to naught? I was trying to shop online for gifts, but apparently, the availability for Perks members who live outside the US are "very (very) limited". Booking a flight on 5J isn't a breeze, even vacations are a hassle.

Any other way I can claim my almost 200k miles or is it just me?

I wouldn't say they'd be completely worthless, but a bigger headache to redeem. DL and now NW have curtailed even PerkPass (i.e. standard award, double the miles to redeem) availability and the fees for us US members have jumped, esp. when booking awards that are less than 21 days in advance. My trip in April was a last ditch to burn 120k and still avail to paying just $93 in taxes and fees.

^^ There's MH (and KE and CS, depending on where you want to go). If you move to SkyMiles, you can probably redeem on SQ too.

Ah yes, the illustrious MH awards. Before, it used to be a steal of a deal to get MH awards on NW as they would have generous award availability allocated to WorldPerks members, needless to stay that EWR-ARN-KUL and LAX-TPE-KUL were favourite routes to burn them. But alas, MH not only reduced availability, it has become a PITA to score a premium award ticket! I was even amazed that I was able to score a C ticket on SQ on MNL-SIN on UA, the airline which isn't exactly the finest when it comes to finding *A partner award availability, while I still got zilch with MH on NW.

At one point, MH also allowed WorldPerks members to redeem int'l F award tickets, which also was a great thing to have because we, along with DL and CO, cannot avail to int'l F award inventory in other SkyTeam airlines due to the "you only have C and Y in your airlines, you'll only redeem for C and Y in ours"-sorta policy so scoring MH F was an award to savour. Sadly, MH followed suit and aligned their policy a bit closely to ST, which gave us a sort of false alarm that their joining was coming soon only to spend months of hearing nothing and being locked out of F availability. :lol:

If you DO succeed on an MH ticket, be aware of the possibility being asked to pay a fuel surcharge at the counter which can get pretty pricey (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/northwest-worldperks/837523-estimates-mh-surcharges-nwp-award-tickets.html).

If you move to SkyMiles, you can probably redeem on SQ too.

Which is indeed possible to link both your WorldPerks and SkyMiles accounts (http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/acctlink/)! Remember, if you do it by May 31, you get 500 bonus RDMs. ;)

Sky Harbor

May 9th, 2009, 08:36 AM

Ah yes, the illustrious MH awards. Before, it used to be a steal of a deal to get MH awards on NW as they would have generous award availability allocated to WorldPerks members, needless to stay that EWR-ARN-KUL and LAX-TPE-KUL were favourite routes to burn them. But alas, MH not only reduced availability, it has become a PITA to score a premium award ticket! I was even amazed that I was able to score a C ticket on SQ on MNL-SIN on UA, the airline which isn't exactly the finest when it comes to finding *A partner award availability, while I still got zilch with MH on NW.

At one point, MH also allowed WorldPerks members to redeem int'l F award tickets, which also was a great thing to have because we, along with DL and CO, cannot avail to int'l F award inventory in other SkyTeam airlines due to the "you only have C and Y in your airlines, you'll only redeem for C and Y in ours"-sorta policy so scoring MH F was an award to savour. Sadly, MH followed suit and aligned their policy a bit closely to ST, which gave us a sort of false alarm that their joining was coming soon only to spend months of hearing nothing and being locked out of F availability. :lol:

If you DO succeed on an MH ticket, be aware of the possibility being asked to pay a fuel surcharge at the counter which can get pretty pricey (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/northwest-worldperks/837523-estimates-mh-surcharges-nwp-award-tickets.html).

Well, I don't think I'll be flying MH anytime soon. I can always go the way of TG and Star Alliance if I need to. :lol:

Which is indeed possible to link both your WorldPerks and SkyMiles accounts (http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/acctlink/)! Remember, if you do it by May 31, you get 500 bonus RDMs. ;)

I'm thinking about it. My mom already linked her accounts. :D

Sky Harbor

May 9th, 2009, 09:16 AM

Here's some updates coming from PEx:

RP confident of passing FAA safety review
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 19:54:00 05/08/2009

MANILA—The Philippines is confident it will pass a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit of its aviation safety standards, allowing the country to expand flights to US airports, an official said Friday.

Transportation Department spokesman Thompson Lantion said the creation in 2008 of a new agency, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, to oversee safety standards, was a major step in reforming the aviation sector.

"We are very confident that we'll be able to achieve that (FAA approval), with all the efforts being done now," Lantion said.

He said the FAA's scheduled audit of its aviation sector would take place in October and include a check on safety and the standards of aircraft mechanics and pilots.

Lantion expressed optimism that the Philippines would return to its old status of Category 1, after the FAA in December 2007 reduced the Philippines' rating to Category 2.

At that time the FAA said the Philippines' air transport agency had failed to meet international safety standards.

This prompted the government to create a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, with the power to collect fees to address safety issues and offer better salaries to skilled personnel.

The FAA's decision prevented the national flag-carrier, Philippine Airlines PAL, from increasing its flights to the US from 33 a week or from changing the type or number of aircraft used on those services.

Lantion said there was always the risk the Philippines would be downgraded further and its airlines would not be able to fly to US airports but was optimistic that Philippines officials could address these concerns

---------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore, RP gov’ts approve expanded bilateral air accord
By FRED M. ROXAS
May 8, 2009, 6:53pm

Singapore and the Philippine governments have agreed to expand an existing bilateral air pact, paving the way for more commercial flights, official sources disclosed Friday.

Under the expanded accord, carriers from both countries can launch an extra 16 weekly services between Singapore and Manila. The airlines will also be allowed to increase services to other destinations in the Philippines including Cebu, Davao and Clark, the statement said.

There are now more than 100 weekly flights between the two countries, the statement said.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano yesterday announced the granting of 10,000 seats weekly, or he equivalent of 50 flights per week, with Fifth Freedom Rights for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in the recently-concluded RP-Singapore Air Consultation Talks held in Singapore on May 6 and 7.

“This is a landmark agreement for Clark, particularly for the DMIA. The Philippine air panel secured 10,000 seats per week, or the equivalent of 50 flights weekly between Clark and Singapore,” Luciano said, a day after the signing of the air service agreement (ASA) between the RP Air Panel and its Singapore counterpart.

“This means an additional of 50 flights per week for the Philippines and Singapore each, both for passenger and cargo,” he added.

“Not only that. Clark was given Fifth Freedom Rights to any point around the world, except to the United States and Canada, where air carriers can go beyond Clark to pick up passengers to other destinations in the world and they can do that at the rate of 14 flights per week,” he said.

“They can go from Singapore, to Clark and onward to Japan, Europe, the Middle East, China and beyond, a development which boosts the DMIA’s position to being the premier gateway of the country as envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” Luciano stressed.

“This air agreement is a landmark and very good for Clark and the future,” he pointed out.

Lucentino

May 9th, 2009, 10:28 AM

I wouldn't say they'd be completely worthless, but a bigger headache to redeem. DL and now NW have curtailed even PerkPass (i.e. standard award, double the miles to redeem) availability and the fees for us US members have jumped, esp. when booking awards that are less than 21 days in advance. My trip in April was a last ditch to burn 120k and still avail to paying just $93 in taxes and fees.

I think I'd follow the lead of @Sky Harbor and transfer to an Asian Carrier instead.

You were in luck being able to travel using your earned miles and paying only a small amount for taxes. The catch is, you should have enough juice during your travels... in my case, it will be from RP to the world. Can't visit my friends states-side at the moment due to "technicalities" :lol:...

Sky Harbor

May 9th, 2009, 10:53 AM

^^ Rumor has it on PEx that there will be another big sale on PR. Better to save the miles then? :lol:

shytype

May 9th, 2009, 11:29 AM

Ang ganda ng proposed mo kaso baka di sa 2035 yan 2050 :D marami maapektuhan na nakatira dyan sa sea side for sure.

is this feasible?.. i think it require more private and govenment funding to make this airport feasible...

mhek

May 9th, 2009, 12:38 PM

^^ I can't wait. :lol:

I planned to celebrate by treating myself to PAL's Herpa model 747 and 340 (my first model planes in a very long while) when I return to Manila with the $28 needed to purchase. I wonder if their duty-free accepts currencies other than dollars and pesos.

mahal ba ang herpa? kasi meron dito sa bahay A340 ng Qatar Airways.

Hindi ako interesado since hindi naman PAL saka hindi ko alam price. haha

Sky Harbor

May 9th, 2009, 01:02 PM

^^ $28 seems okay. At Herpa's website, the quote is around 22 euros per plane, if I remember correctly. It's either that or the rosary.

hybridace101

May 9th, 2009, 02:39 PM

Why do major Asian carriers like using wide-body aircrafts such as the A330 for regional routes while Western carriers (particularly European carriers) and to some extent usually use it for flights no less than 6 hours?

Going back to the issue of who is staffing the ground operations of airlines, do Pinoys mostly staff the PR station in MEL or SYD?

Speaking of flights involving Australia, I also can't help but notice that PR and QF lump 2 Australian cities together in a single flight (i.e. MEL and SYD for PR, and BNE and SYD for QF) in either direction . Why not have separate legs for each Australian point to/from MNL?

Finally, I would like to get some tips of what's the best/quickest way to go anywhere in NZ from MNL?

hybridace101

May 10th, 2009, 05:44 AM

I know I may be late in finding this out, but FYI to those who haven't, SQ no longer serves YVR. They suspended Singapore's only link to Canada after 25 April.

Hmmm... I am guessing that SIN-bound YVR passengers will have to go through HKG instead as CX has adequate convenient connections. It has a lot of flights between the 2 cities. Some would suggest connect via the United States or more specifically SFO or LAX but you want to spare yourself the trouble of getting a visa right?

On the other hand, I've checked a lot of travel sites and guess what? PR usually comes-out on top of the list if you want to get from YVR to SIN. If you're pressed for time, leave on a Monday or Wednesday as they the stopover time is less than 2 hours (thanks to PR117). My only problem is that it is a narrow-body A320 that you will have to bear with on the 2nd leg.

kiretoce

May 10th, 2009, 08:19 AM

hybridace101

May 10th, 2009, 08:29 AM

^^

I read somewhere that, ironically it was also AC that lobbied to the Canadian government to prevent Singapore from exercising its 5th Freedom right to transport passengers between Canada and the EU. In a related way, where our open skies agreement stands, the United States wants to block unlimited access of Philippine carriers to their market but wants unlimited access to our market. However, my bigger problem is that UA, DL (not including NW's existing operations) and AA are not enthusiastic to have flights to the Philippines. Hence our open skies agreement with the United States effectively means no new flights between the US and the Philippines.

For SQ to serve between SIN and YVR, I would have always thought it would make better business sense for the stopover to be HKG since a lot of Hong Kongers visit Canada. Also, HKG-SIN is one of the busiest routes in Asia.

Nonetheless, PR should see this as an opportunity because others suggest CX's business model, which is premium travel and similar to SQ may not work well in this global recession.

"ZukiChirO"

May 10th, 2009, 08:47 AM

any news about Mindanao Premier Airways?

can anyone share about this New airline company that will base in Mindanao Island~~

shytype

May 10th, 2009, 09:46 AM

Philippines ready for FAA upgrade

As Philippine Airlines flexes its wings!

WASHINTON—The US Federal Aviation Aviation (FAA) has announced that it will be conducting another safety audit to the Republic of the Philippines in October 2009 after diplomatic request was made in Washington by Philippine President Gloria Arroyo. The request was favorably endorsed by US President Barack Obama to FAA Administrator Lynne Osmus who ordered the re-audit. The Philippines aviation safety rating was downgraded 15 months ago.

Department of Transport Secretary Leonardo Mendoza said that the government is confident that it will pass the safety audit of the FAA this time as most of its recommendations as to aviation safety standards are already complied while the rest are to be made ready when inspection is made.

Safety audit was already made by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) last February and got a good remarks from Geneva based institution.

The safety audit report will determine whether the country is eligible for safety upgrade and the process usually takes a month after re-assessments has been made, according to the FAA Associate Administrator Margaret Gilligan.

The Country was downgraded after inspections were made by the US FAA on Air Transportation Office (ATO) record books, and it failed to monitor and properly check pilot performance, inadequate training programs for technicians, incompetent flight instructors and breaches in record keeping that affect safety regulations.

The upgrading will allow the country's airline to expand flights to US airports, an FAA official said Friday.

Only Philippine Airlines flies to mainland United States with points in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. It plans to expand service to San Diego and Chicago after the safety upgrade rating.

Department of Transportation spokesman Thompson Lantion said the creation in 2008 of a new agency, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, to oversee safety standards, was a major step in reforming the aviation sector.

"We are very confident that we'll be able to achieve the FAA approval with all the efforts being done now," Lantion said.

He said the FAA's scheduled audit of its aviation sector would include a check on safety and the standards of aircraft mechanics and pilots.

Lantion expressed optimism that the Philippines would be able to hurdle it old status of Category 1 safety rating, after the Washington based FAA reduced it to Category 2 in December 2007 after a safety audit conducted 3 months earlier.

Lantion said there was always the risk the Philippines would be downgraded further and its airlines not be able to fly to US airports anymore, but was optimistic that such scenario is so remote as the government could easily remedy those safety concerns raised by US inspectors.

FAA Safety Rating is expected to be released in the first week of December 2009.

Sky Harbor

May 10th, 2009, 10:08 AM

You forgot AC. They also fly betweeen HKG and YVR, and is SQ's alliance parter.

AC also flies to ICN and PEK from YVR, routes served as well by CA and OZ, which are also Star Alliance partners.

hybridace101

May 10th, 2009, 10:44 AM

I highly doubt we will get that upgrade, as long as we have airports like that in Catamaran and those that 5J suspends services to.

mikem488

May 10th, 2009, 09:23 PM

If there were no problems after the okay by International Civil Aviation in February then why wait to October for an inspection by the FAA.

As always there is more than PAL and the Philippine government agency have revealed.

I do have a real interest. Since I am living in San Diego and am tired of flying out of San Diego. With a direct flight on the new 777ER. I would save about five hours on my trip out to Manila since i live ten minutes from the San Diego airport.

Also, I would like to comment on PAL creating another class of service in the old first class section. This class is between the business class and economy.

The reason are that booking for business class have dropped of tremendously in the past three months.

I tried to upgrade with certificates in January and February to business class. Both times they were full. But when I flew again in late March and early April. Business class was 50% full in the upper deck. Plus I heard from a passenger that they were upgrading economy passenger in the old first class area.

I can imagine their delight when they found themselves in the new lie flat seats.

Danfer21

May 10th, 2009, 09:50 PM

here some photos of the dominican airline PAWA dominicana
this airline have routes to Puerto Rico and soon to United States

Jetstream31
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9021/hi817bqn.jpg
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2654/hi841bqn1.jpg

DC-9
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7976/hi869.jpg
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/7408/7qdc9.png

mwg12a

May 11th, 2009, 07:08 AM

I highly doubt we will get that upgrade, as long as we have airports like that in Catamaran and those that 5J suspends services to.

It shouldn't affect the domestic terminals in the Philippines would affect the upgrade of the safety category in the Philippines, they are only worried about the safety issues on travels going to the US mainly. Those issues that were brought up by FAA that caused the downgrade of NAIA to Category 2 are very much preventable and are easily worked on. It was about failure to properly document records such as monitor and properly check the performance of the pilots, breech and failure to document paperworks related to safety. These are all involving proper documantation and most auditors especially if they are americans are really "BIG" when it comes to an organized paperwork especially when it involves safety and something that can be used legally.

NightDog

May 11th, 2009, 07:21 AM

^^ that's right.
the only reason why FAA is auditing us is that we have aircraft coming to them. it's not about all our airports in RP. if we don't have aircraft flying to the US, they won't care of coming to us.

The issue is that ATO is not an independent department. it has no library to keep its records. ATO's by-laws which is the bible of all Airmen is panahon pa ni kupong-kupong. All airmen including pilots & mechanics don't have refresher courses prior to re-issuance of licenses. & the worst, examination papers of pilots & mechanics have marks of pencils on the correct answers. tsk tsk tsk.

I highly doubt we will get that upgrade, as long as we have airports like that in Catamaran and those that 5J suspends services to.

mwg12a

May 11th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Ah, good to know Nighdog, is really still boils down to lack of paperwork to show to record safety keeping and maintenance. I think most test even in the US for licensure are done using number 2 pencils but lately with the techology, those who takes these licenses and reissues are going online (at a designated centers) or via computer which makes it more convinient for both the issuer and the candidates. I don't see it hard to start implementing that there in the Philippines and an administration office just for that purpose.

Chrisvenz

May 11th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Fido, frequent flier, gets his own airline
9 May 2009
Agence France Presse

Move over Jet Set -- here comes the Pet Set.

An airline catering exclusively to furry passengers takes to the skies this July with a promise to make air travel everything the domestic animal could want.

The first Pet Airways flight will depart July 14 from Teterboro, a small airport outside New York, en route to Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, said founder Alysa Binder.

"Pet Airways was created to provide a safe and comfortable solution for the transport of pets," said Binder and her husband Dan Wiesel in a company statement.

"Inspiration for the concept came from difficulties encountered when shipping Zoe, our Jack Russell Terrier, across the country."

Flights, which will cost 149 dollars each way, will be on a modified Beechcraft 1900 supplied under contract with Suburban Air.

The plane usually fits 19 passengers. This time there will be room for 50 cats and dogs.

"There will be two pilots and a pet attendant. Everything is done for the safety and comfort of the pets," Binder said.

Pooches and kitties won't actually get seats. They'll travel in kennels stacked on custom-made shelves.

Like many flights in these security conscious days, a check-in two hours before take-off is requested. To avoid the queues -- and any potential pre-flight nerves -- check-in can be done 72 hours earlier.

"We’ll be happy to board your pet at our PAWS Lodge until the flight," the company's website advertises.

Then it's time to go to the Pet Lounge and onto the aircraft.

The airline asks that pets answer the call of nature while on the ground, but says they don't have to.

"Potty breaks are very important to your pet. With the human airlines, your pet could be made to hold themselves for a very, very long time. Pet Airways monitors the last time your pet had a potty break, and makes sure that they get regular potty breaks along the way," the site says.

Elizabeth Cory, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Authority, explained that Pet Airways passengers -- the company calls them "pawsengers" -- will not be alone in the sky.

"Animals have always been carried by air, horses for example. This group only has a different marketing proposal. They are contracting with an existing carrier to carry animals," Cory said.

Cory said the airline met FAA safety standards.

"For us the most important is to avoid the unnecessary shift of weight, and to insure that the animals are properly restrained."

Some 76 million cats and dogs are estimated to travel each year in the United States, including two million in airplanes.

Air travel is no easy ride for domestic creatures. Some 5,000 animals a year suffer injury while being transported, according to animal rights experts.

The pet set looks likely to avoid such unpleasantness.

"Pet attendants make sure they’re all comfortable and that they, and their pet carrier, are secure," the website says. "A Pet attendant monitors and checks the comfort of all pawsengers every 15 minutes during the flight. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break, and will be available for pickup at the Pet Lounge."

Noize_320

May 11th, 2009, 09:07 AM

landing at RPMD [05]

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3415/picture548.jpg

Animo

May 11th, 2009, 09:15 AM

Old Pasay Road in Manila was renamed to Arnáiz Avenue in honor of Don Antonio S. Arnáiz, who was a pioneering, early aviator and national hero in the Philippines. While America had Charles Lindbergh, the Philippines had Antonio Arnáiz and Juan Calvo!

Sadly, the proud history of early aviation in the Philippines is largely forgotten nowadays, save for the founding of Philippine Air Lines (now known as the Philippine Airlines/PAL), which was the first commercial airline in Asia. Few people are aware of those great, early aviators who became heroes in the Philippines, Spain, and throughout Asia for their pioneering efforts. The most important of these triumphs were the historic Madrid-Manila flight of Spanish pilots Captain Joaquín Lóriga y Taboada and Captain Eduardo Gallarza y González, of the Spanish Royal Flying Corps, and the reciprocal "Arnacal" Manila-Madrid flight of Filipino aviators Don Antonio Arnáiz and Don Juan Calvo.

In October, 1924, Captain Lóriga and fellow pilot Captain Rafael Estévez y Martínez presented to the Spanish Director General of Aviation a plan for a Madrid-Manila flight utilizing the new Breguet Type 19 biplane, which would help to further enhance Spain's reputation in aviation and bring back the Castilian flag to a former colony "where the love for Spain remains so vivid and warm."

The Director General endorsed the plan to Miguel Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja, el Marqués de Estella, the dictator of Spain and nephew of former Governor General of the Philippines Fernando Primo de Rivera. Primo de Rivera gave the proposed flight his official consent, and Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza began supervising modifications to their Breguet biplanes, which were christened the "Magallanes" and "Legazpi" after the famous explorers respectively, as soon as the planes arrived in December, 1924.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2304852209_336e95eb25.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2305649508_35db3a5ecd.jpg

The start of the Madrid-Manila flight on 8 April, 1925. Capt. Eduardo Gallarza prepares to board his Breguet Type 19 biplane, the "Legazpi".

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2304852265_80328611ce.jpg

The "Legazpi," ironically the only of the Breguets to survive the journey, leaves Macau for Aparri, Philippines on 12 May carrying Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza. Portugal provided assistance in this great endeavor -- the Portuguese Navy also offered to station its cruiser "Republique" in the South China Sea in support of the Spanish aviators as they made the long overwater flight between the Portuguese colony and the Philippines. After experiencing numerous close calls with disaster, Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza arrived in Manila on 13 May, 1925, completing the historic flight.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2305649570_d58d795ed1_o.jpg

Capts. Joaquín Lóriga (left) and Eduardo Gallarza (right) following their arrival in the Philippines, with some society women.

The two aviators were welcomed as heroes amid shouts of "Viva España", "Viva Filipinas", "Viva Lóriga" and "Viva Gallarza" by the crowds of Manileños gathered to greet the arrival of the "Legazpi," which featured the flag of the Philippines on the left side of its fuselage. Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza were carried off on the shoulders of the jubilant spectators as the young Manileñas and Spanish women threw themselves on the pilots, embracing and kissing them. A motorcade ride on streets lined with waving crowds followed, which took them to the Luneta. At the Luneta, the pilots laid wreaths at the foot of the Rizal monument, as a symbolic gesture. A similar ceremony was then held at the monument to the explorers Legazpi and Fr. Urdaneta, which was followed by an even larger one at the Manila Cathedral, where a choir of a hundred men and women sung a dedicatory hymn especially composed for the occasion by Prof. Trápaga. Following a press conference at the Casino Español de Manila, the pilots were taken to the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, in Intramuros, where they received hononary degrees from the Universidad de Santo Tomás and attended an evening banquet hosted by the presitigious institution. Speaking at the banquet, Fr. Calixto Prieto enthused in "the nobility of Spain's labor in her Christian colonization of the countries discovered by her,...mixing their bloods and creating new race types."

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3031494028_1bf81e6029_o.jpg

Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza with Philippine literary figures and 1926 Premio Zóbel laureates Manuel Bernabé (left) and Jesús Balmori (right)

In the days that followed, Capts. Lóriga and Gallarza were feted and honored by many of the country's leading business magnates (including tycoon Don Enrique Zóbel y de Ayala and media mogul Don Alejandro Roces y González, who brought the pilots to Baguio; aristocrat-cum-insurance industry titan Don Antonio Melián y Pavía, whose El Hogar Filipino led the effort to have streets in Metro Manila named after the pilots; and Secretary of the Casino Español de Manila Don Antonio Ossorio, who brought the pilots to the shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje at the old Antipolo Church), prominent literary figures and scholars (including 1926 Premio Zóbel laureates Jesús Balmori and Manuel Bernabé; and Dr. Rafael Palma), and politicians (including Mayor Miguel Romualdez, Governor Filemón Pérez, Councilor Francisco Beech, Consul General Emilio de Motta, House Speaker Manuel Roxas, former President Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, presidential aide-de-camp Manuel Nieto, and President Manuel L. Quezón). Prior to the two Spanish aviators' leaving the Philippines, Capt. Lóriga paid a wonderful tribute to their well-wishers in the country (translated from the original Spanish):

«You, Spaniards, voluntarily expatriated, who have known to create in the midst of this hospitable country a home in which burns perpetual the sacred fire of the country, become a part of the great Spain extended over a chain of twenty sister republics and are the soldiers, unknown yet unforgotten, in that great crusade for the spiritual union of these lands, which at one time formed a gigantic empire fighting under a single standard. ¡Viva Filipinas!, ¡Viva America! y ¡Viva España!»

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2589748984_fd32fcd4e5.jpg

Tragically, Capt. Joaquín Lóriga died less than a year later in a plane crash in Spain. All of Manila was saddened by the terrible news. His death is said to have caused considerable grieving in the Spanish community in the Philippines -- especially among those of its ladies who became very close to their dashing heroes from Spain.

It was nearly eleven years later when, in 1936, a proposal for a Manila-Madrid flight finally took shape. A Filipino salesman for the Manila Trading and Supply Co. enrolled in flight training at the Valeriano School of Aviation named Juan Calvo approached his instructor Antonio Arnáiz with an idea for a Manila-Madrid flight, which he had conceived several years earlier. Arnáiz was receptive to the idea, and the two began the planning for it shortly thereafter. Don Antonio Arnáiz was a young, but capable, pilot who had trained at the Dallas Aviation School in the U.S. He belonged to a prominent hacendero clan from Bais, Negros Oriental and was able to obtain from his family the funds needed to purchase a Fairchild 24 plane. With the help of real estate broker Don Federico Calero y Ortíz, Jr. (father of legendary Filipino advertising executive Don Javier José "Jay Jay" L. Calero, a cousin of Vázquez-Prada family), the two aviators recruited publisher Carlos P. Romúlo as a backer for their ambitious endeavor. However, they needed additional funding and ended up securing it from Arnáiz family friends and associates in Baís.

Having secured money for the venture, Antonio Arnáiz returned to Manila on 17 May, 1936 to supervise modifications to the Fairchild required for the trip at Nielson Airport with Juan Calvo. By the end of the month, they were ready for their record-breaking flight to Madrid.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2304852477_f1841bf4d6.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2304852577_10e74f5b02.jpg

On 27 May, 1936, Mayor Juan Posadas broke the traditional champagne bottle, christening their Fairchild 24 as the "Commonwealth of the Philippines."

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2304852681_f06e2bde81_o.jpg

Well-wishers at the ceremony included (from L-R): Maj. Gen. Basilio J. Valdés, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army; the presiding Monsignor; publisher Carlos P. Romúlo; Secretary of the Interior Elpidio Quirino; and Mayor Juan Posadas.

At dawn of Friday, 29 May, Antonio Arnáiz and Juan Calvo climbed into the Roosterpit of the "Commonwealth of the Philippines" and took off at 5 AM following an exchange of waves between the pilots and the crowd of well-wishers gathered at the edge of the airfield. They arrived at Hong Kong late in the afternoon, having braved poor weather conditions (and lacking radio equipment) to become the first Filipino pilots to cross the China Sea. In Hong Kong, they were greeted enthusiastically by prominent members of the Filipino community (including Antonio's brother Don Ricardo Arnáiz) and also by a number of Americans and Britons.

The two Filipino pilots finally reached Spanish soil on 11 July, arriving at Barcelona. The Mayor of Barcelona presented Antonio Arnáiz and Juan Calvo keys to the city and welcomed them with a banquet at the mayoral palace. From there, they took off for Madrid and arrived at 5 PM, completing their historic journey and first-ever goodwill flight by Philippine aviators, dubbed the "Arnacal Flight."

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2304852085_795621755c_o.jpg

Antonio Arnáiz and Juan Calvo with Juan's father Col. Juan Calvo, Sr. (center)

In Madrid, the Asociación Hispano-Filipino presided over the welcome ceremonies for the arrival of the Filipino aviators. Madrid's entire Filipino community was present for the momentous occasion. Among those in attendance was Juan Calvo's long-lost father, Juan, Sr., who was a colonel in the Spanish Army. It would be the first reunion between father and son in many years and also their last. As the pilots stepped out of their plane, they were lifted up by the cheering crowd and carried on shoulders to the terminal, where the surviving hero of the original Madrid-Manila flight Eduardo Gallarza, now a Major, and other Spanish officials waited to honor the new heroes. The two Filipinos were the toast of Madrid and were treated to numerous receptions and even an hononary bullfight!

Unfortunately, Spain was on the verge of Civil War, and they just managed to escape ahead of the opening salvos. Their plane, the "Commonwealth of the Philippines," was lost when the ship carrying it was attacked by Republican forces, forcing the crew to run the vessel aground and scuttle it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2304852741_58608e8570_o.jpg

Antonio Arnáiz and Juan Calvo were commissioned as Lieutenant Colonels in the new Philippine Army Air Corps by President Manuel L. Quezón (center) following their arrival back in Manila on 8 September, 1936. They were welcomed as heroes back home in the Philippines and honored with countless receptions. Juan Calvo went on to a career with the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. (INAEC), which was founded by the powerful López family. The Valeriano School of Aviation would eventually expand to become the Philippine Islands Aviation Corporation and selected Don Antonio Arnáiz to serve as Vice President and Director.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3030655477_26e3531455_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2309788822_f1e81a070f_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2309788806_5c515364c7_o.jpg

Autographed postal covers issued in commemoration of the historic Manila-Madrid flight of Don Antonio S. Arnáiz and Don Juan L. Calvo

808 state

May 11th, 2009, 01:41 PM

http://i42.tinypic.com/1etezc.jpg
by Freecloud1971 (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/16850459.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photo/16850459&usg=__LBOcmmnJwtDVN-fMZzRfP210MrE=&h=1944&w=2592&sz=2067&hl=en&start=20&tbnid=WWoC4VXzMDc_TM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsan%2Bfernando%2Bla%2Bunion%2Binternational%2Bairport%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18)

Lucentino

May 11th, 2009, 07:35 PM

landing at RPMD [05]

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3415/picture548.jpg

Tottemo Sugoi desune!

Sky Harbor

May 11th, 2009, 07:49 PM

^^ Oooh...an A319 (I think). :lol:

Mithril Cloud

May 12th, 2009, 12:06 AM

Correct! :lol: (http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=RP-C8601&distinct_entry=true)

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 03:34 AM

^^ Woohoo! :lol:

Noize_320

May 12th, 2009, 04:00 AM

Tottemo Sugoi desune!

hehe...arigatou...heres a bonus~ :)

http://img3.cdn.crunchyroll.com/i/spire1/1975bc5421f50910dc40996405d882e11242018923_full.jpg

bitoy

May 12th, 2009, 06:06 AM

Jet Engine Test -- ( grinding a cargo container ) :lol:

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20090512/capt.photo_1242090630909-1-0.jpg

A Japan Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Los Angeles International airport after one of the jet engines sucked up a cargo container. JAL Flight 61 had been leaving the gate at around 1:30pm (2030 GMT) when the unidentified object blocked one of the engines, according to Los Angeles World Airports, the agency which operates the airport.
(AFP/Calvin Nguyen)

Noize_320

May 12th, 2009, 07:03 AM

^^ wow...where did that come from? :lol:

thats gotta suck... :nuts:

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 07:19 AM

^^ I read about it in A.Net. Apparently, the baggage container was being transported to another aircraft when the JAL 744's engine sucked it up. Here's a news bit on the incident:

Airplane Grounded after Object Sucked into Engine at LAX (http://www.knx1070.com/Airplane-Grounded-after-Object-Sucked-into-Engine-/4375011)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Aviation authorities say a baggage cart was drawn into an engine of a Boeing 747 as it was leaving a terminal gate at Los Angeles International Airport.

Airport spokesman Marshall Lowe says the incident occurred about 1:30 p.m. Monday as Japan Airlines Flight 61 to Narita was pushing back from a gate at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says a baggage cart was being towed by at the same time and the engine ingested one of the containers.

The object was lodged in the outer left-side engine of the four-engine jet.

The 245 passengers were taken back to the terminal. The plane also had a crew of 18.

sloanesquare

May 12th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 09:13 AM

Temporarily moving on from the issue of JAL and jet engines hungry for people's baggage in baggage containers, apparently, PAL's livery on an A346 looks very sexy!

http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos/photos/big/00004525.jpg

Noize_320

May 12th, 2009, 03:33 PM

^^ cute...PR should get one too...

btw, nice livery of MU...still retains that retro-look (complete with "black-nose") :D

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 05:11 PM

^^ MU also has special liveries, like this one:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f8/Chinaeasternexpo2010.jpg/800px-Chinaeasternexpo2010.jpg

Speaking of retro liveries, PAL should repaint one or two of its planes in a retro livery.

calbayognon

May 12th, 2009, 06:26 PM

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 06:27 PM

^^ MU is the IATA code for China Eastern.

Noize_320

May 12th, 2009, 06:29 PM

Speaking of retro liveries, PAL should repaint one or two of its planes in a retro livery.

heres my retro A320 i designed...last year pa 'to...sorry for the low quality

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2478/rtrs.jpg

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 06:45 PM

^^ Anything more retro? An A319 or A320 in PAL's 1960s livery would look wonderful on that plane (I think).

Noize_320

May 12th, 2009, 06:50 PM

^^ mas bagay yan sa PAL Express nila... :D

tigidig14

May 12th, 2009, 07:45 PM

Sky Harbor

May 12th, 2009, 08:16 PM

pthfndr19

May 12th, 2009, 09:53 PM

lovely_aiko

May 12th, 2009, 10:48 PM

^^ I found a related incident at A.Net a while back. Boeing planes must have the munchies for people's bags! :lol:

The incident involved the number 3 engine of a DL L-1011 back in the 1990s.

http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/delta.jpg

L1011 aircraft does not come from the Boeing line but from the now defunct Lockheed commercial airline line.

kiretoce

May 13th, 2009, 03:13 AM

That's not an MU behind PAL's A346 (modified) but a CHINA EASTERN A340.:)
MU is the IATA code for China Eastern.

That just cracked me up! :rofl:

Skyblade

May 13th, 2009, 06:32 AM

L1011 aircraft does not come from the Boeing line but from the now defunct Lockheed commercial airline line.

And was proudly built here in lovely Palmdale, California. :okay:

daily commuter

May 13th, 2009, 09:21 AM

Sky Harbor

May 13th, 2009, 05:04 PM

L1011 aircraft does not come from the Boeing line but from the now defunct Lockheed commercial airline line.

And was proudly built here in lovely Palmdale, California. :okay:

I know that! The picture was merely for comparison! :lol:

Sky Harbor

May 13th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Anyway, a bit of good (and bad) news:

----

Now it is a P700-M scam at DepEd
(http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090513-204648/Now-it-is-a-P700-M-scam-at-DepEd)
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:32:00 05/13/2009

Filed Under: Government Contracts, Politics, Graft & Corruption, Education, Air Transport, Air safety

...

* * *

The Philippine aviation industry is encountering turbulent skies and may crash if we do not take evasive maneuvers quickly. The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is shooting at our airliners with legal ack-ack. It has downgraded our planes to Category 2 from Category 1. What this means, as explained at the Kapihan sa Manila last Monday by DOTC spokesman and LTFRB chair Tomas Lantion and retired Col. Eduardo Batac of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), is that while Philippine skies are virtually open to American carriers, American skies are closed to additional Philippine airliners. Philippine Airlines has bought seven new, more economical planes, the first of which is arriving in a couple of months. But PAL cannot use them to change the old, gas-guzzling Airbuses that fly to the US although they are of the same size and capacity. The reason is safety, according to the FAA. Not the safety of the airplanes themselves, but of our airports.

What Philippine airports have to do with the safety of Philippine planes landing on American airports is beyond me, but that is the excuse of the Americans to stack the deck against their competitors in the trans-Pacific market.

The FAA, Lantion and Batac explained, audit periodically the aviation industry of countries whose airlines fly to the US and rate them. Some of our airports were found to be unsafe. The runway at Catarman, Samar, for example, is also used by residents of two barangays and their livestock. The runway of another airport was being used by the son of the airport manager to practice drag-racing.

And except for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, our airports have no radar. We also do not have enough competent air traffic controllers, the FAA said. Also, our Civil Aviation Authority is dependent on the budget given by Congress so that it does not have enough funds to buy aviation equipment and upgrade the salaries of its controllers and train more of them.

To correct that, a law has just been passed to make the CAAP independent operationally and financially. All the revenues it earns can now be spent by it for radar and other aviation technology that it needs. And it can now raise the salaries of its air controllers to attract back Filipino pilots who have been pirated by other airlines, especially the new Middle Eastern airlines that staff their companies with experienced pilots, airline mechanics, etc. pirated from the Philippines.

But that takes time, and the FAA is due to audit us again this October. That’s barely five months away. If the situation has not improved, the FAA’s next step is to advise its citizens not to use Philippine carriers—and you know what that means to our airlines.

Animo

May 13th, 2009, 11:33 PM

Thank you for sharing. Nakaka-inspired naman ang mga pilots ng Espanya at Pilipinas.

A school in Spain was named after it too: Vuelo Madrid Manila (http://www.vuelomadridmanila.com/)

:)

NightDog

May 14th, 2009, 04:35 AM

Anyway, a bit of good (and bad) news:

----

Now it is a P700-M scam at DepEd
(http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090513-204648/Now-it-is-a-P700-M-scam-at-DepEd)
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:32:00 05/13/2009

Filed Under: Government Contracts, Politics, Graft & Corruption, Education, Air Transport, Air safety

...

* * *

The Philippine aviation industry is encountering turbulent skies and may crash if we do not take evasive maneuvers quickly. The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is shooting at our airliners with legal ack-ack. It has downgraded our planes to Category 2 from Category 1. What this means, as explained at the Kapihan sa Manila last Monday by DOTC spokesman and LTFRB chair Tomas Lantion and retired Col. Eduardo Batac of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), is that while Philippine skies are virtually open to American carriers, American skies are closed to additional Philippine airliners. Philippine Airlines has bought seven new, more economical planes, the first of which is arriving in a couple of months. But PAL cannot use them to change the old, gas-guzzling Airbuses that fly to the US although they are of the same size and capacity. The reason is safety, according to the FAA. Not the safety of the airplanes themselves, but of our airports.

What Philippine airports have to do with the safety of Philippine planes landing on American airports is beyond me, but that is the excuse of the Americans to stack the deck against their competitors in the trans-Pacific market.
The FAA, Lantion and Batac explained, audit periodically the aviation industry of countries whose airlines fly to the US and rate them. Some of our airports were found to be unsafe. The runway at Catarman, Samar, for example, is also used by residents of two barangays and their livestock. The runway of another airport was being used by the son of the airport manager to practice drag-racing.

And except for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, our airports have no radar. We also do not have enough competent air traffic controllers, the FAA said. Also, our Civil Aviation Authority is dependent on the budget given by Congress so that it does not have enough funds to buy aviation equipment and upgrade the salaries of its controllers and train more of them.

To correct that, a law has just been passed to make the CAAP independent operationally and financially. All the revenues it earns can now be spent by it for radar and other aviation technology that it needs. And it can now raise the salaries of its air controllers to attract back Filipino pilots who have been pirated by other airlines, especially the new Middle Eastern airlines that staff their companies with experienced pilots, airline mechanics, etc. pirated from the Philippines.

But that takes time, and the FAA is due to audit us again this October. That’s barely five months away. If the situation has not improved, the FAA’s next step is to advise its citizens not to use Philippine carriers—and you know what that means to our airlines.

this is ridiculous. even our CAAP chief doesn't understand procedures. He doesn't even understand why the new high-tech, airworhty B777 cannot fly to the US in Category 2 rating.

I think it's time that our CAAP will do a total overhaul, hindi ningas kugon lang..

Montecito_kid

May 14th, 2009, 05:55 AM

That's not an MU behind PAL's A346 (modified) but a CHINA EASTERN A340.:)

That's classic. I didn't know that PR has a A340-600. :dunno:

ianers_ianized

May 14th, 2009, 09:39 AM

Speaking of flights involving Australia, I also can't help but notice that PR and QF lump 2 Australian cities together in a single flight (i.e. MEL and SYD for PR, and BNE and SYD for QF) in either direction . Why not have separate legs for each Australian point to/from MNL?

Finally, I would like to get some tips of what's the best/quickest way to go anywhere in NZ from MNL?

Re the triagular SYD, MEL, BNE flight, I think it depends on the pax demand from those routes... QF finds more income from BNE route while PR on MEL route... but both definitely gets more income from SYD route.

Going to NZ has a variety of options...
I think the fastest is via HKG on CX, next is SQ and TG via SIN & BKK respectively. You can also choose QF via SYD.

Sky Harbor

May 14th, 2009, 09:44 AM

^^ If he's willing to wait, there's always PAL. :lol:

ianers_ianized

May 14th, 2009, 11:09 AM

^^^ I agree!

I think PAL has codeshare agreement w/ NZ via HKG or SYD to AKL. Check it with the travel agent.

Sky Harbor

May 14th, 2009, 11:10 AM

^^ PAL has no codeshare agreement with Air New Zealand. I think that there's an interline agreement, though.

quannar

May 14th, 2009, 12:21 PM

http://photos-p.friendster.com/photos/92/19/4539129/1_401344925l.jpg

arianespace

May 14th, 2009, 02:27 PM

^^
Anyway, a bit of good (and bad) news:

----

Now it is a P700-M scam at DepEd
(http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090513-204648/Now-it-is-a-P700-M-scam-at-DepEd)
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Philippine aviation industry is encountering turbulent skies and may crash if we do not take evasive maneuvers quickly. The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is shooting at our airliners with legal ack-ack. It has downgraded our planes to Category 2 from Category 1. What this means, as explained at the Kapihan sa Manila last Monday by DOTC spokesman and LTFRB chair Tomas Lantion and retired Col. Eduardo Batac of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), is that while Philippine skies are virtually open to American carriers, American skies are closed to additional Philippine airliners. Philippine Airlines has bought seven new, more economical planes, the first of which is arriving in a couple of months. But PAL cannot use them to change the old, gas-guzzling Airbuses that fly to the US although they are of the same size and capacity. The reason is safety, according to the FAA. Not the safety of the airplanes themselves, but of our airports.

What Philippine airports have to do with the safety of Philippine planes landing on American airports is beyond me, but that is the excuse of the Americans to stack the deck against their competitors in the trans-Pacific market.

The FAA, Lantion and Batac explained, audit periodically the aviation industry of countries whose airlines fly to the US and rate them. Some of our airports were found to be unsafe. The runway at Catarman, Samar, for example, is also used by residents of two barangays and their livestock. The runway of another airport was being used by the son of the airport manager to practice drag-racing.

And except for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, our airports have no radar. We also do not have enough competent air traffic controllers, the FAA said. Also, our Civil Aviation Authority is dependent on the budget given by Congress so that it does not have enough funds to buy aviation equipment and upgrade the salaries of its controllers and train more of them.

To correct that, a law has just been passed to make the CAAP independent operationally and financially. All the revenues it earns can now be spent by it for radar and other aviation technology that it needs. And it can now raise the salaries of its air controllers to attract back Filipino pilots who have been pirated by other airlines, especially the new Middle Eastern airlines that staff their companies with experienced pilots, airline mechanics, etc. pirated from the Philippines.

But that takes time, and the FAA is due to audit us again this October. That’s barely five months away. If the situation has not improved, the FAA’s next step is to advise its citizens not to use Philippine carriers—and you know what that means to our airlines.

I would like to agree with nightdog that this is the most ridiculous explanation ever attempted by people in government appointed with political colors of course. Its a good thing I wasn't there to raise sensible questions to them because they doesn't know how it works. Honestly.

I was and always is an advocate of agency professionalism like Dinky Soliman or Emilia Boncodin type of administrators. Well, probably thats one of the reason why I left. But there are still plenty of good people out there in government thats not being noticed because they don't know how to bend. And they can answer those type of questions more professionally.

For a start, even with FAA downgrade or negative rating, American Carriers can never fly here without a license. Even if our skies were open indeed, there was still limitations in the treaty that they can't just come in by wimps. We call it safeguards.

Airbus 340 are not gas-guzzlers. In fact, they are the most profitable long haulers for PAL. The correct term would have been efficiency but those are misnomer as both are different animals to begin with. Debates has been waged here and in aviation related forums with respect to the A340 and B777 economics. And the verdicts were that there was no point in comparison because airlines have different target markets and cost economic analysis.

The FAA audit is conducted once every four years and not annually contrary to what Lantion said. The reason for audit, the Philippines was delaying the recommendations of ICAO relating to equipments,qualified personnel and record keeping for a very long time. Its not an FAA mandated regulation but an ICAO standard regulation. From my calculations, 20 years to be exact. As for the need of inspection, I think I've posted already the reasons why.

What I agree there is the budgetary constraints that plagued the system. Because all revenues derived from airport operations go back to the national treasury to build useless airports, again political considerations, when it could have been used to upgrade existing commercial ones and some of it invested back to upgrade the system. Instead what the government did was build airports with no particular commercial traffic than general aviation. Probably you know what I'm referring to.

For the last part, here is the catch, if the FAA downgrades us further, no Philippine carrier can fly to the US just like where Indonesia is situated now. Don't you think American carriers can still be made to fly here? I don't think so. In International Law, we call it reciprocity.

I really missed the column of Max Soliven. Insightful yet entertaining. As far as I know, he was the most well versed and well read journalist of his time, not only in politics where he was very good but also in things relating to aviation. But I'm taking particular attention to one who could be the next Max.

But of course we do have brand new state of the art ATC radar system from EADS which it took them 5 years to acquire!

hybridace101

May 14th, 2009, 06:23 PM

http://photos-p.friendster.com/photos/92/19/4539129/1_401344925l.jpg

With regards to http://www.ttgasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13896 which discusses the reasons and implications of LH' pullout last year, it appears to be no surprise why they followed their other European counterparts.

The bottomline: EU-RP aviation market is very neglected and sidelined on both sides. Why does this misfortune of a practically disconnected market happen to us!?! Did they do something wrong to us for them to be subject to the red tape that gives them disincentive from operating here (other than the usual excuse they were colonisers of ours)?

We appear to be the least served Asian city by either a European carrier or Europe appears to be the least served major affluent market by an Asian country's national carrier. Why isn't PR taking an initiative to resume flights to the EU and just dwelling on the fact that they are constrained by FAA's Cat2?

What do you think it will take for the government to even consider making the Philippine aviation environment more friendly to European carriers to want to fly back (preferably non-stop)? If they can do that, then they can boast of a world class aviation environment!

Sky Harbor

May 14th, 2009, 08:47 PM

calbayognon

May 14th, 2009, 09:39 PM

http://photos-p.friendster.com/photos/92/19/4539129/1_401344925l.jpg

What does this mean? Will Lufthansa fly back to MNL on a regular basis or cargo only?

Montecito_kid

May 15th, 2009, 04:45 AM

^^It is a ferry flight. The LH A340 underwent maintenance at LTP and instead of flying the a/c empty, they are now accepting cargo for MNL-FRA. This is a one time deal only. Ika nga, makabawi man lang sa gas.:lol:

heightdeprived

May 15th, 2009, 07:08 AM

That's not an MU behind PAL's A346 (modified) but a CHINA EASTERN A340.:)

Nice Photoshop work, though the tail fin is somewhat oversized for an A346... or sira lang talaga ang mata ko? :-s

NightDog

May 15th, 2009, 09:10 AM

^^

I would like to agree with nightdog that this is the most ridiculous explanation ever attempted by people in government appointed with political colors of course. Its a good thing I wasn't there to raise sensible questions to them because they doesn't know how it works. Honestly.

I was and always is an advocate of agency professionalism like Dinky Soliman or Emilia Boncodin type of administrators. Well, probably thats one of the reason why I left. But there are still plenty of good people out there in government thats not being noticed because they don't know how to bend. And they can answer those type of questions more professionally.

For a start, even with FAA downgrade or negative rating, American Carriers can never fly here without a license. Even if our skies were open indeed, there was still limitations in the treaty that they can't just come in by wimps. We call it safeguards.

Airbus 340 are not gas-guzzlers. In fact, they are the most profitable long haulers for PAL. The correct term would have been efficiency but those are misnomer as both are different animals to begin with. Debates has been waged here and in aviation related forums with respect to the A340 and B777 economics. And the verdicts were that there was no point in comparison because airlines have different target markets and cost economic analysis.

The FAA audit is conducted once every four years and not annually contrary to what Lantion said. The reason for audit, the Philippines was delaying the recommendations of ICAO relating to equipments,qualified personnel and record keeping for a very long time. Its not an FAA mandated regulation but an ICAO standard regulation. From my calculations, 20 years to be exact. As for the need of inspection, I think I've posted already the reasons why.

What I agree there is the budgetary constraints that plagued the system. Because all revenues derived from airport operations go back to the national treasury to build useless airports, again political considerations, when it could have been used to upgrade existing commercial ones and some of it invested back to upgrade the system. Instead what the government did was build airports with no particular commercial traffic than general aviation. Probably you know what I'm referring to.

For the last part, here is the catch, if the FAA downgrades us further, no Philippine carrier can fly to the US just like where Indonesia is situated now. Don't you think American carriers can still be made to fly here? I don't think so. In International Law, we call it reciprocity.

I really missed the column of Max Soliven. Insightful yet entertaining. As far as I know, he was the most well versed and well read journalist of his time, not only in politics where he was very good but also in things relating to aviation. But I'm taking particular attention to one who could be the next Max.

But of course we do have brand new state of the art ATC radar system from EADS which it took them 5 years to acquire!

You are right arianspace, there are people out there that's not being noticed, they should be the ones leading our CAA, I think arianspace you must be the one to lead our CAA. You are more aware of how the industry's rules & regulations work.

Regulations & legislations are not being understood, how can we come back to Category 1?

Our CAA chief said this: What Philippine airports have to do with the safety of Philippine planes landing on American airports is beyond me.
This should not be beyond him, he is the chief, he is one of the attendees during the audit, he should understand the situation, in fact his name will be the third question during the audit. This is the question: Who is the specific person (or persons) in the CAA who will sign official correspondence to the FAA regarding the air operators compliance with international aviation safety requirements?

And for the issue of PAL acquiring new planes, the 777. It cannot be used to fly to the US in category 2 rating because these planes requires extended range operations due 777 has only 2 engines. This is also written in the audit questionnaire. In case of failure during the audit, the operator cannot perform anymore the extended range operations it has entitled to to do prior to downgrade.

Our govt. should not select people to lead the CAA who know how to fix aircraft, who know how to fly aircraft, who command the military. But they should select people who have the hearts to learn & do the the requirements of international civil air regulations.

ianers_ianized

May 15th, 2009, 12:30 PM

wow pal has a new slogan - with us, you're always no.1

Sky Harbor

May 15th, 2009, 12:54 PM

^^ That's their domestic slogan. Their international slogan, if I'm correct, is still "It's about experience".

Anyway, moving on: I'm watching yesterday's edition of TV Patrol Southern Tagalog (yes, it's finally online) and they mentioned a bunch of infrastructure projects in CALABARZON. One of them is a new airport in Quezon, possibly as a replacement for Lucena Airport which was closed and converted into a low-cost housing development. This I'd love to see.

hybridace101

May 15th, 2009, 02:30 PM

Frankly it would be easy taint politics into the Cat1 downgrade. However the safety concerns are real. If he was saying how to return RP into Cat1 is "beyond him" for reasons beyond rhetoric, he has no business being the chief.

I still need an answer to my RP-EU dilemma. As we are busy bickering about the state of RP-US aviation matters, we are neglecting another untapped market. If there is low demand, why not create demand? Demand is low precisely because we aren't taking the initiative to create new demand, at least in aviation.

romantic_guy08

May 15th, 2009, 05:45 PM

Mabuhay Milers check this out..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Great Miles Getaway

Miles at 50% OFF

Sales and Ticketing Period: 20 MAY - 10 JUNE 2009
Travel Period: 01 JULY - 30 NOVEMBER 2009
Travel Black-out Period: 22 OCTOBER - 04 NOVEMBER 2009

Redemption Values (Fiesta "O" Class/ Mabuhay "R" Class)
DOMESTIC/PHILIPPINES (One-Way Redemption Value)

MNL to/from:

LGP, RXS - 1,500/2,000 miles points
BCD, CEB, DGT, ILO, KLO, LAO, PPS, TAC, TAG - 2,000/2,500
BXU, CGY, CBO, DVO, DPL, GES, ZAM - 3,250/4,250

INTERNATIONAL (Round Trip Redemption Value)

MNL to/from:

HKG, MFM, TPE, XMN - 7,500/12,500
BKK, BJS (PEK), FUK, GUM, SGN, JKT (CGK), NGO, OSA (KIX), SHA (PVG), SIN - 10,000/17,500
MEL, SYD (MNL- Australia: PR211 only) - 20,000/32,500

CEB to/from TYO (NRT) - 10,000/17,500

* Sales and Ticketing: 20 May 2009 - 10 June 2009.
* Travel Period: 01 July 2009 - 30 November 2009.
* Travel Black-Out Period: 22 October 2009 - 04 November 2009.
* Open dated tickets are not allowed.
* Only selected flight is available for redemption for Manila to Australia (PR 211 only).
* GMG (Great Miles Getaway) Award Tickets must have a confirmed booking on all sectors.
* GMG Award Tickets shall be valid only on flights/dates specified.
* Rebooking Fee: Per sector/passenger - USD 50.00 (international) PHP 600.00 (domestic).
* Non-Users/No Show Fee: USD 75.00 (international) / PHP 400.00 (domestic).
* Valid for sales at any PAL ticket offices, except U.S.A, Canada and Korea.
* Applicable taxes, fuel surcharges and miscellaneous fees shall apply.
* Limited seats only. Confirmation subject to seat availability in the assigned booking class.
* Miles deducted from this offer are non-refundable. The refund of taxes for totally unused tickets is allowed for request received on or before 31 December 2009. Refund are subject to refund procedures and refund service fee of USD 50.00 (international) / PHP 400.00 (domestic)
* Other Mabuhay Miles and Philippine Airlines Terms and Conditions apply.

http://pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361050&page=234

hybridace101

May 15th, 2009, 06:14 PM

This is frankly too late. I already booked my tickets. How much is the service fee to get a ticket?

swahi

May 15th, 2009, 06:33 PM

JustHorace

May 15th, 2009, 06:38 PM

wow pal has a new slogan - with us, you're always no.1

I just notice that PAL has never came up with a decent, aggressive, long-lasting, respectable advertising campaign since it reopened. Look at their print ads now. It's no different from Cebu Pacific's! And the website sucks. Functional, no doubt. But just look at those flash graphics and button graphics. They're all ugly. I think TG and even VN's websites are better-looking.

Anyway, I guess it's something that's not really a top priority now. But even simple things (like the website) done well do leave some good impression.

"Asia's Sunniest" would've been a great start.

oboi

May 15th, 2009, 07:35 PM

Sayonara! :wave:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/JAL-AA.jpg

davaoeagle

May 15th, 2009, 08:38 PM

Zest Air bares year-round fiesta fares
Mindanao Daily Mirror
May 16, 2009

Zest Air, Asia’s refreshing airlines, bares its all-in, all year-round fiesta fares – P488 to Busuanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Legaspi, Marinduque, Naga, San Jose (Mindoro) or vice versa; P788 to Bacolod, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa and Virac or vice versa; P1,788 to Davao or vice versa. Sale and travel period are on-going until December 31, 2009.

Zest Air also invites the public to take a look at its fiesta menu – a month-long fiesta in Tagbilaran in May; a month-long Magayon festival in Albay in May; Baragatan festival on June 17-23 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Pintados festival on June 29 in Tacloban, Leyte; a month-long Sandugo festival in July in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Kadayawan festival in Davao City on August 19-23; Sarakiki festival in Calbayog, Samar on September 1-8; Penafrancia festival in Naga City on September 17; Ibalong festival in Legaspi on October 6-12; Maskara festival in Bacolod and October 19 and Catan-dugan festival in Virac, Catanduanes on October 22-24. Other festivals and fiestas may not be included in the Zest Air fiesta menu list but for as long as Zest Air operates in any of these sectors, passengers may avail of the special rates for their respective fiesta celebration.

Zest Air passengers are treated to refreshing drinks on long flights and newspapers to read in and enjoy spacious legroom and wide seats. ZestAir’s accessible departure terminal is conveniently located at the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay City.

Call 855-3333 or visit your favorite travel agent.

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 12:13 AM

Sayonara! :wave:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/JAL-AA.jpg

Hmm....I thought mainline JL doesn't fly to MNL anymore, and that it was relegated to its subsidiary JO (JALways).

Chrisvenz

May 16th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Cebu Pacific now Asia’s 3rd largest low-cost airline

Cebu Pacific (CEB) is now Asia’s 3rd largest low-cost carrier and 22nd in the world, the Airline Business Magazine said in its May issue.

CEB flew 6.7 million passengers in 2008—up 23% from 5.5 million the previous year—making it the fastest-growing airline in Asia among the top 25 low-cost carriers world-wide in terms of passenger carriage and revenue passenger per kilometer, Airline Business said.

Last April 2009, CEB again broke its record for number of passengers in one month by carrying 823,419 passengers to 15 international cities and 31 domestic destinations.

“Our continued growth can be attributed to the increase in our seat capacity and trademark low fares, which are big factors especially during these difficult economic times,” CEB president and CEO Lance Gokongwei said.

“We expect to fly an estimated 9 million passengers this year as we expand our route network in the country and in Asia. The public can expect that we will continue to offer our trademark low fares,” Gokongwei said.

Affordability has been a CEB trademark and the airline has always been looking for ways to make flying more convenient and easier on the pocket.

It recently pioneered the all-inclusive fares, removing the “plus, plus,” to make the public immediately know how much needs to be paid for an airline ticket, and introduced the unparalleled ‘Go Lite’ fares that give discounts to travelers without check-in luggage.

CEB, the country’s leading domestic airline, has a fleet of 10 A319 and 11 A320 Airbus aircraft and eight turbo-prop ATR 72 aircraft. It expects to take delivery of two more ATR aircraft this year allowing it to open more inter-island routes.

terrapinoy

May 16th, 2009, 12:23 AM

Hmm....I thought mainline JL doesn't fly to MNL anymore, and that it was relegated to its subsidiary JO (JALways).

^^ took the flight from MNL to NRT on a JAL 747-300 in the same livery back in early 2008. The flight was staffed with JO crew and was ticketed as a JALways flight. It was an excellent flight.

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 12:32 AM

^^ So, the crew was JO, but the aircraft was JL?

Mithril Cloud

May 16th, 2009, 12:48 AM

That would be the case.

LukeyJoe

May 16th, 2009, 01:02 AM

^^ So, the crew was JO, but the aircraft was JL?

Just to second terrapinoy, I've seen this on my recent flight from Guam to NRT. I've only flown JL from ORD to NRT before so I just thought that JL and JO equipment are shared. Didn't know that JALways have it's own livery.

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 01:06 AM

This is a typical JALways aircraft. It's livery is donned in a floral design, to highlight it's routes to tropical resort destinations. JALways planes have the word "Reso`cha" (Super Resort Express) on the plane. Also, the flight attendant uniforms have a tropical theme.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/JA8187.JPG/800px-JA8187.JPG

romantic_guy08

May 16th, 2009, 01:29 AM

Tagline I made for PR...hehehe... Asia's First and Sunniest, Wheres It's All About Experience... Philippine Airlines, Clearly No. 1...

Sky Harbor

May 16th, 2009, 02:23 AM

I just notice that PAL has never came up with a decent, aggressive, long-lasting, respectable advertising campaign since it reopened. Look at their print ads now. It's no different from Cebu Pacific's! And the website sucks. Functional, no doubt. But just look at those flash graphics and button graphics. They're all ugly. I think TG and even VN's websites are better-looking.

Anyway, I guess it's something that's not really a top priority now. But even simple things (like the website) done well do leave some good impression.

"Asia's Sunniest" would've been a great start.

Tagline I made for PR...hehehe... Asia's First and Sunniest, Wheres It's All About Experience... Philippine Airlines, Clearly No. 1...

Again, I think that "With Us, You're Always Number 1" is a domestic slogan. Their telephone line still uses "It's about experience", and I think it would be in PAL's better interest to use that slogan internationally. The current slogan, if I'm correct, is meant to undermine local LCCs, Cebu Pacific in particular. "Asia's Sunniest" is also still used occasionally when PAL ends their English-language landing statement.

What I do agree with though is that PAL seriously needs a new website, complete with online check-in facilities and the online printing of boarding passes.

terrapinoy

May 16th, 2009, 02:24 AM

^^ So, the crew was JO, but the aircraft was JL?

That would be the case.

Just to second terrapinoy, I've seen this on my recent flight from Guam to NRT. I've only flown JL from ORD to NRT before so I just thought that JL and JO equipment are shared. Didn't know that JALways have it's own livery.

Yup. It was a Japanese holiday, and they even handed out a JAL 747 snap on model plane for everyone aboard. I've seen the same planes do HNL-NRT which were ticketed as a JALways flight. Hardly notice any difference in service.

b_star

May 16th, 2009, 03:02 AM

Sayonara! :wave:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h141/oboi_1/JAL-AA.jpg

I fly with JAL every time I come to the Philippines. The last flight I was on was just last month and compared to all the flights I've taken with them, the made some changes. Mainline JAL last came to Manila around 2004 and they were interchanging 3 aircraft (747-400, 767-300 and the DC-10-40). Then JALWays took over the routes with the 747-300's which were piloted by Americans and staffed by Thai crews. On the flight I took in April, they started using 747-400s, American pilots seemed to have been dropped in favor of Japanese ones, and although the cabin crew still had Thais, they added some Filipinos in there as well.

hybridace101

May 16th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Does JL's main brand still fly to MNL? If not, then OneWorld has almost been obliterated in MNL. It would also be such a shame that also mainline regional carriers have pulled out. We may no longer exist to them.

hikouki

May 16th, 2009, 04:56 AM

Applicable taxes, fuel surcharges and miscellaneous fees shall apply.

Aside from using up your mileage points, you end up having to pay extra. Is it worth the extra fees compared with all the promo pricing where the final price is net of everything? Like the Manila-cebu promo that was just finished 488 one way all in, or their existing econolite ticket rates? I dont think using up the mileage and paying the extras is worth it anymore, unless you are racking up the number of trips to maintain your elite/premier elite status.

Hmm...you have a point. Last year I got a pair of roundtrip tickets to HKG, and the taxes added up to around USD90+ per person. It was the cheapest promo they had at that time.

However, with the recent promo, HKG return only adds up to around less than USD80+/-. So I guess it depends on the type of promo. If they offer an internet sale again, then it would be worth getting rather than any mileage promo. But the GMG is not bad either because it slashes the mileage requirement by half, and you almost never see that with any other carrier.

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 05:00 AM

Post away folks! :colgate:

Link to Thread 18 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=160060&page=658) in the Archives. :okay:

hikouki

May 16th, 2009, 05:01 AM

Hmm....I thought mainline JL doesn't fly to MNL anymore, and that it was relegated to its subsidiary JO (JALways).

Some time back, JO (as well as EG) ceased to have their own aircraft and were just flying some older JAL planes (primarily 744s displaced by JAL mainline 77Ws from the longhaul network). The JO and EG planes were the classic 747s (read: retirable) anyway. Then JL did away with EG altogether.

^^ took the flight from MNL to NRT on a JAL 747-300 in the same livery back in early 2008. The flight was staffed with JO crew and was ticketed as a JALways flight. It was an excellent flight.

So are the cabin crew mostly Thais? I heard that JO typically employs Thai FAs, with the more senior ones being Japanese. The flight crew is supposed to be made up of mostly Westerners (Americans?).

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 05:04 AM

New thread! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=871668) :colgate:

:lock:

arianespace

May 16th, 2009, 05:32 AM

As I was browsing through the thread archives for those newspaper articles saying PAL will launch service to DEL, BNE, PER and AKL in order to answer a query on FlyerTalk, I ran into Arianespace's post over speculation of which aircraft will join PAL's new 77Ws. Six A359s are supposed to join the fleet. However, I ran into this on PEx:

BIWISIT it is.
^^
That is an understandable feeling. My take on the matter is no matter how we, the public and the fly boys of PAL want it to be, the buck stops not with Jaime or Harry but with Lucio who holds the pen. Until announcement is made it would just be another rumor mill until then. I'm not telling everybody here to believe that its bound to happen because I'm not with management but some of my friends are. I don't even own a single share of the airline to start with. All I can tell is that such document exists and its worth more than 2 billion dollars and it was brought by JB home last December. Now tell me how many wide-body planes can fit in that amount. But then again as I was saying, nothing is final yet. So why do I know that its Airbus? Because it did not came from Boeing.

But its good to have advance knowledge if ever they take the offer. As to the airlines certainty of taking it, I say the chances of them getting it is 70% but there may be variations. And of course there is always that possibility that they may not take it, and go to Boeing instead. In fact there are plenty of details there that is for my ears only. Again, until orders are made they are just hearsay.

As Dustin Hoffman says it in the film Hero "don't believe everything what the [news]papers told you." So its really your call and discretion to buy the story or not. I'm just sharing it. :)

^^You are right arianspace, there are people out there that's not being noticed, they should be the ones leading our CAA, I think arianspace you must be the one to lead our CAA. You are more aware of how the industry's rules & regulations work.

I'm flattered but no thanks. You think its easy up there! No its not. Its actually a snake pit unless you lose sight of yourself and become one of them. No fair minded professional would risk his integrity and competence with such kind of headache.

At least I left with grace and still have the respect for myself. Imagine the dilemma of the ICAO foreign consultant who was sent home because he cannot see white as black. I believed its not the best place for me especially if your working with incompetent individuals. It would not also be good if you are always contradicting your boss who doesn't know what his doing other than the rank he wears as if it were the war room. And you will have the ire of the Gods that live near the riverbank too. You end up banging yourself on the wall like what Jun Lozada did.

I do keep in mind the words of Elbert Hubbard, "If you work for a man, in heaven's name work for him! If he pays you wages that supply you your bread and butter,speak well of him, think well of him, stand by him and stand by the institution he represents. If you must growl, condemn, and eternally find fault, resign your position and when you are on the outside, complain to your hearts content. But as long as you are a part of the institution do not condemn it. Remember, an ounce of loyalty is worth more than a pound of cleverness."

That's what I did but keep my peace. At least I'm still welcome whenever I decide to comeback.:)

Sky Harbor

May 16th, 2009, 07:24 AM

^^
That is an understandable feeling. My take on the matter is no matter how we, the public and the fly boys of PAL want it to be, the buck stops not with Jaime or Harry but with Lucio who holds the pen. Until announcement is made it would just be another rumor mill until then. I'm not telling everybody here to believe that its bound to happen because I'm not with management but some of my friends are. I don't even own a single share of the airline to start with. All I can tell is that such document exists and its worth more than 2 billion dollars and it was brought by JB home last December. Now tell me how many wide-body planes can fit in that amount. But then again as I was saying, nothing is final yet. So why do I know that its Airbus? Because it did not came from Boeing.

But its good to have advance knowledge if ever they take the offer. As to the airlines certainty of taking it, I say the chances of them getting it is 70% but there may be variations. And of course there is always that possibility that they may not take it, and go to Boeing instead. In fact there are plenty of details there that is for my ears only. Again, until orders are made they are just hearsay.

As Dustin Hoffman says it in the film Hero "don't believe everything what the [news]papers told you." So its really your call and discretion to buy the story or not. I'm just sharing it. :)

I'm optimistic enough. A lot of PExers are skeptical (especially with Cebu Pacific's "denial" of obtaining new A330s).

jogavilz

May 16th, 2009, 10:05 AM

malaki ba ang salary ng air traffic controller? saang school ba pwedeng mag-aral for such profession? thanks

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 10:29 AM

^^ I don't know the figures in the Philippines, but here's a rough estimate at what they pay air traffic controllers here in the US:

Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits. Median annual earnings of air traffic controllers in May 2006 were $117,240. The middle 50 percent earned between $86,860 and $142,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $145,600. The average annual salary, excluding overtime earnings, for air traffic controllers in the Federal Government—which employs 90 percent of all controllers—was $122,220 in May 2006.

The Air Traffic Control pay system classifies each air traffic facility into one of eight levels with corresponding pay bands. Under this pay system, controllers’ salaries are determined by the rating of the facility. Higher ratings usually mean higher controller salaries and greater demands on the controller’s judgment, skill, and decision-making ability.

Depending on length of service, air traffic controllers receive 13 to 26 days of paid vacation and 13 days of paid sick leave each year, in addition to life insurance and health benefits. Controllers also can retire at an earlier age and with fewer years of service than other Federal employees. Air traffic controllers are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service as an active air traffic controller or after 25 years of active service at any age. There is a mandatory retirement age of 56 for controllers who manage air traffic. However, Federal law provides for exemptions to the mandatory age of 56, up to age 61, for controllers having exceptional skills and experience. Earnings and benefits for controllers working in contract towers or flight service stations may vary.

SOURCE (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm)

pi_malejana

May 16th, 2009, 10:44 AM

^^ i'm thinking of getting a program designed for ATC...:okay:
maganda daw ang trabaho kaso nakaka-stress... of course, that depends on the airport...:D

Sky Harbor

May 16th, 2009, 11:18 AM

malaki ba ang salary ng air traffic controller? saang school ba pwedeng mag-aral for such profession? thanks

^^ I don't know the figures in the Philippines, but here's a rough estimate at what they pay air traffic controllers here in the US:

Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits. Median annual earnings of air traffic controllers in May 2006 were $117,240. The middle 50 percent earned between $86,860 and $142,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $145,600. The average annual salary, excluding overtime earnings, for air traffic controllers in the Federal Government—which employs 90 percent of all controllers—was $122,220 in May 2006.

The Air Traffic Control pay system classifies each air traffic facility into one of eight levels with corresponding pay bands. Under this pay system, controllers’ salaries are determined by the rating of the facility. Higher ratings usually mean higher controller salaries and greater demands on the controller’s judgment, skill, and decision-making ability.

Depending on length of service, air traffic controllers receive 13 to 26 days of paid vacation and 13 days of paid sick leave each year, in addition to life insurance and health benefits. Controllers also can retire at an earlier age and with fewer years of service than other Federal employees. Air traffic controllers are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service as an active air traffic controller or after 25 years of active service at any age. There is a mandatory retirement age of 56 for controllers who manage air traffic. However, Federal law provides for exemptions to the mandatory age of 56, up to age 61, for controllers having exceptional skills and experience. Earnings and benefits for controllers working in contract towers or flight service stations may vary.

SOURCE (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm)

^^ i'm thinking of getting a program designed for ATC...:okay:
maganda daw ang trabaho kaso nakaka-stress... of course, that depends on the airport...:D

It was posted here quite a while ago that Philippine air traffic controllers are underpaid and overworked. There's a serious shortage of ATCs, but the low pay is unattractive to those who would enter the field, choosing to go abroad instead. The shortage in and poor working conditions of local air traffic controllers (e.g. there are only six ATCs serving in NAIA stretched over a 24-hour period) was one of the reasons why the Philippines was downgraded to Category 2.

LukeyJoe

May 16th, 2009, 02:43 PM

So are the cabin crew mostly Thais? I heard that JO typically employs Thai FAs, with the more senior ones being Japanese.The flight crew is supposed to be made up of mostly Westerners (Americans?).

Hmm, I guess this explains why there were two FA's on my last JO flight that were speaking English to each other. I just thought that was weird. Neither one seemed Thai though.

arianespace

May 16th, 2009, 04:40 PM

^^I'm optimistic enough. A lot of PExers are skeptical (especially with Cebu Pacific's "denial" of obtaining new A330s).

Why? are they from 5j management or just another rank and file mortals? Remember there are 3 different people in an airline business, other than the owner, there are the managers, the supervisors, and the rank and file employees. Even the captain that flies the A320 is a rank and file and so is the the lowest janitor that cleans Lance office. An office talk will always have ears to listen. And it seldom goes down below. I never heard them categorically deny it in papers or otherwise. Of course they will always make efforts for leak-control as it was supposedly a trade secret. But its not secret anymore, ain't it? They are even blaming one individual for the leak. I'm so sorry for the guy but it wasn't him. I hope they won't fire him.

As usual I keep my sources confidential and will again say that until orders are made those declarations are just hearsay, no more no less. Even confirmed orders are dropped like hot potatoes like what JAL did to its 787 orders. So nothing is really certain and aircraft manufacturers can always attest to it. Remember, when you are in the airline business skies are not always blue.

There is nothing wrong with being an optimist or a pessimist too. And when it comes the skeptics are always the most surprised and will end up telling you they knew all along.:)

arianespace

May 16th, 2009, 05:09 PM

^^It was posted here quite a while ago that Philippine air traffic controllers are underpaid and overworked. There's a serious shortage of ATCs, but the low pay is unattractive to those who would enter the field, choosing to go abroad instead. The shortage in and poor working conditions of local air traffic controllers (e.g. there are only six ATCs serving in NAIA stretched over a 24-hour period) was one of the reasons why the Philippines was downgraded to Category 2.

Underpaid by a mile and stretched to the limits too. The reason for that is the Civil Service Law and poor government structure, and since ATO is a government agency attached to DOTC, their salary should be commensurate with the salary grade classification system.

Meaning, if you are salary grade 9 you should only be receiving particular amount. The only way to snap out of it is make it a corporate body like GSIS or NAPOCOR. They have a different salary structure because they ceased to be an agency anymore but a quasi-corporate body controlled by government. Don't confused both.

For this reason, GSIS President Winston Garcia receives more than what the President of the Philippines received by a mile. Its also the same reason why GSIS janitors are paid equivalent to supervisory positions in the civil service pay scale.

So CAAP came along to do just that. The problem now is those people inside ATO wanted to be automatically considered for vacant positions in CAAP which now has astronomical salary. Here is the rub, the people in ATO are not all qualified so that they have to compete hard with new comers who have better resume than they had. In fact, most of them have to go back to school just to earned the minimum qualification. This is where politics comes in and padrino system will always come in handy. Need I say more?

kalbongdad

May 16th, 2009, 06:11 PM

meron ba dito...taga...paf museum....maganda sa na ang idea kaso marami ang pa ang kulang......sana dumami pa ang laman ng museum that tell the heroism of the filipino pilots...

kiretoce

May 16th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Hmm, I guess this explains why there were two FA's on my last JO flight that were speaking English to each other. I just thought that was weird. Neither one seemed Thai though.

JO's cabin crews are based out of Tokyo and Osaka, but they also have crews based out of Bangkok and Manila, so there's a possibility that you'd also see Thais and Filipinos on the flight aside from the Japanese cabin crew. But their flight crew is and always will be Japanese.

mwg12a

May 16th, 2009, 08:46 PM

malaki ba ang salary ng air traffic controller? saang school ba pwedeng mag-aral for such profession? thanks

I'm sure even in the Philippines, you'd get a very handsome monitory compensation because there is a big demand for it in the Philippines and overseas.

hybridace101

May 17th, 2009, 01:29 AM

^^

Ironic, the law of supply and demand dictates that if supply is low, then prices should go high. Hence, if there are only 6 ATCs (as well as a brain drain of pilots), then their salaries should go slightly higher. This should be considering demand for flights is only expected to increase every year.

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 06:09 AM

It seems that the sore thumb of PAL's 744s has finally had its well-deserved refit. Okay, we know it was refurbished before this came out, but let's give the press some benefit of the doubt. :lol:

(N.B.: Found the article on A.Net. Who's Leamside again? I'm too lazy to dig through the archives.)

----

PAL refurbishes B747 with world-class amenities (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=468256&publicationSubCategoryId=87)
Updated May 17, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently rolled out its second reconfigured Boeing 747-400 that features brand new and luxurious cabin amenities rivaling some of the world’s best airlines.

The upgrading is part of PAL’s US$50-million aircraft refurbishment program. It started last year after the airline management decided to reconfigure its long-haul aircraft to bi-class – taking out the First Class section – in keeping with the trend of major airlines worldwide.

The latest PAL B747-400 to undergo a facelift completed its three-month refurbishment on April 9, 2009 at PAL’s maintenance service provider in Taipei. New business and economy class seats, state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system and a new cabin design were installed in the aircraft.

The new cabin amenities and interior look can be viewed even without boarding the aircraft by taking the B747 cabin virtual tour at PAL’s website (philippineairlines.com) where an interactive 360 degree view of Mabuhay (lower and upper deck) and economy class can be accessed. The virtual tour is available on the website starting May 18.

Renowned aircraft seat manufacturer Recaro of Germany supplied the 391 seats (56 in Mabuhay and 335 in fiesta), offering generous seat pitch (60 inches in Mabuhay and 32 to 34 inches in economy). Luxurious Mabuhay seats are ergonomically designed and can be transformed into a lie-flat bed complete with a cocoon-type privacy shell.

Each seat has audio/video on-demand capability, including a personal TV (10 to 15-inch monitors for Mabuhay and nine-inch monitors for economy). The state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system allows passengers to choose from a library of video and audio content, including 18 movies, 8 TV programs, 12 radio channels and 50 CD albums. Digital games are also available for young passengers while in-seat power for laptops is provided in Mabuhay class.

Passengers are also welcomed by the cabin’s new look and feel – coastal-themed interiors characterized by palm-tree landscape design at the fore and aft sections of the aircraft, deep-blue seat upholstery with silvery-copper threads in Mabuhay class and undulating wave-pattern of blue, aqua and terracotta palette in Economy. To complete the airy, spacious feel, curtains, carpet and surfaces are in shades of blue, white, gray, silver and tan.

The refurbishment/reconfiguration of the B747s is capped by a new type of Mabuhay Class meal service called “One-by-One” – a la carte service where passengers select their own meal from a variety of choices. Each dish is individually plated, giving each meal a tailored touch, in the tradition of fine-dining restaurants. On-demand service means passengers can take their meals anytime during the flight.

Refurbishment of the first PAL B747-400 was completed in October 2008, signaling the start of a $50-million refurbishment program of PAL’s flagship aircraft. RP-C7471 was also equipped with the same world-class amenities.

hybridace101

May 17th, 2009, 08:28 AM

^^

That sore thumb wouldn't happen to be the former N754PR? If I was reading airlinequality.com's reviews correctly, I came across the fact that a significant amount of the AVOD screens of passengers don't function properly.

But still, PR should be lucky because the entire 747 is getting a makeover. NW, UA, TG and KL only partially refurbish their 747s. Why do you think the latter 4 only want to refurbish the business class section of the 747 and not the economy class section while doing so in other single-decker long-haulers (including KLM's MD-11)?

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 08:33 AM

^^ Yes, the aircraft described is the former N754PR, PAL's lone 74M. It has since been re-registered as RP-C7475.

Chrisvenz

May 17th, 2009, 12:38 PM

AirTran WiFi In Entire Fleet Before August

AirTran Airways plans to put wifi, via Aircell's Gogo, on all 136 aircraft in its fleet by the end of July. The carrier made the decision to add wifi to all its flights back in October, Chairman, President and CEO Robert Fornaro told The DAILY. "People just assumed we'd be testing wifi, but they didn't realize that we were getting ready to deploy," he said. "We didn't want to make a big deal about it beforehand."

AirTran chose Gogo because it wanted a product that was simple to use, said Fornaro. "Aircell was reliable and had proven broadband, which was everything we needed," he said.

The airline is currently converting two aircraft a night, a process that takes about eight hours, said Fornaro. "We'll move up to three aircraft a night in a few weeks and the entire fleet by the end of July," he said.

The Gogo product will have a tremendous amount of penetration, said Fornaro. "Because we're doing it fleet-wide, it will spark greater interest in the Gogo product beyond AirTran," he stated. The AirTran deal is "hugely important" for Aircell, president and CEO Jack Blumenstein told The DAILY. "Fornaro didn't want to announce the product until it was ready to go, which is a first for a major carrier," he said. "By 2010, we will more than double the number of aircraft with wifi from 1,000 now to 2,500," said Blumenstein.

Thus far, only Virgin America has come close to outfitting its entire fleet. "Twenty-four of our 28 planes have the [Gogo] service, and the entire fleet will be done by May 25," said spokeswoman Abby Lunardini. "Right now, people can see if their flight is wifi-enabled, with an Aircell sign next to our flight schedule." She said all of Virgin America's new Boston and Orange County flights are wifi-enabled."

Delta has Gogo wifi on 132 aircraft, with most being McDonnell Douglas MD88/90s and a few 757s, said spokesman Anthony Black. Delta plans to have 140 aircraft - its entire domestic fleet - fitted with wifi by the third quarter, he added.

Aircell's wifi service is available on all 15 of American Airlines' Boeing 767-200 aircraft in all classes, said Lauren Gass an account executive for the carrier's PR firm Weber Shandwick. "Beginning this year, American is extending the Gogo service to 150 domestic MD-80s and later to [153] 737 aircraft," she said. American is currently committed to installing Gogo on 318 planes, she added.

United announced plans in January to install Gogo in its premium p.s. on transcontinental flights between New York and California by mid-2009. Air Canada inked a deal last September to offer Gogo on trans-border flights, starting with the Airbus A319 fleet this spring.

Southwest is testing Row 44 wifi service on four of its aircraft, said spokeswoman Brandy King. "So far, the testing is going really well. The testing phase should be complete by the end of the summer," she said. "We do not have a target date for installation. We are in the process of testing this new and exciting technology to see if it is right for us."

Alaska Airlines is also testing Row 44 wifi, currently on one aircraft flying on the West Coast, said spokeswoman Bobbie Egan. "We plan on outfitting more aircraft this year. We have not released a timeline," she noted, adding that Alaska plans to complete installation in 2010.

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 12:45 PM

^^ I wonder if PAL will ever have WiFi. :lol:

Chrisvenz

May 17th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Article from the Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/article/634135):

Co-pilot in Buffalo crash earned $16,254 a year

May 14, 2009 04:30 AM

Joan Lowy
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON–The co-pilot in an airline crash that killed 50 people near Buffalo was paid so little that she lived with her parents near Seattle, Wash., and commuted across the country to her job, a combination an investigator called a "recipe for an accident.''

The second day of a three-day National Transportation Safety Board hearing focused yesterday on whether Captain Marvin Renslow and co-pilot Rebecca Shaw were fatigued on the night of Feb. 12 when they apparently made a series of critical errors as Continental Flight 3407 approached Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

The Dash 8-Q400 Bombardier, a twin-engine turboprop, experienced a stall, rolling back and forth before plunging into a house below. All 49 people aboard and one on the ground were killed in the worst U.S. air crash in seven years.

Board member Kitty Higgins said fatigue has been a factor in other crashes and is a major concern for the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"When you put together the commuting patterns, the pay levels ... I think it's a recipe for an accident, and that's what we have here," Higgins said.

Shaw, 24, made $16,254 a year, although she could have earned more if she worked extra hours, said Roger Cox, NTSB's aviation safety operations group chairman. In questioning officials for Colgan Air of Manassas, Va., he suggested Shaw was commuting from her home near Seattle because she couldn't afford to live in the New York metropolitan area.

Colgan operated the flight for Continental.

The night before the accident, Shaw flew overnight as a passenger from Seattle, changing planes in Memphis, to report to work at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. She also complained about congestion and may have been suffering from a cold.

Shaw had worked for Colgan for 13 months. She had a second job in a coffee shop when first hired.

Renslow, 47, commuted to Newark from his home near Tampa, Fla. It is unclear where Renslow, who was in the middle of a two-day assignment, slept the night before the trip, but he logged into a computer from Colgan's crew room in Newark at 3 a.m. the night before, according to NTSB documents.

Colgan officials said their captains typically earn around $55,000 annually.

NTSB investigators said 93 of the 137 Colgan pilots who worked out of Newark at the time of the accident were commuting from far away.

"It is their responsibility to commute in and be fit for duty," said Mary Finnegan, Colgan's vice-president of administration.

Chrisvenz

May 17th, 2009, 12:47 PM

^^ I wonder if PAL will ever have WiFi. :lol:

sana. Malay mo:lol:

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 12:58 PM

^^ Hmm...WiFi would make a good offering for PAL. I hope it's cheap! :lol:

(P.S.: Please remove the unsightly "please wait 1 second(s) for an uncompressed image, or press Ctrl+F5 for original quality page" on the refurbishment article reposted on the international PAL thread. Unsightly kasi. Thanks! :okay:)

hybridace101

May 17th, 2009, 01:22 PM

^^ I wonder if PAL will ever have WiFi. :lol:

Don't count on it if you can't find anymore overseas airlines having WiFi.

Chrisvenz

May 17th, 2009, 01:50 PM

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/svenz_2008/72918_1228087074.jpg

Mars Uy

May 17th, 2009, 02:14 PM

Tacloban-DZR Airport
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/marnicc/DSC01799_daniel-z-romualdez-airport.jpg
www.tourisminthephilippines.com

ianers_ianized

May 17th, 2009, 04:11 PM

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 09:02 PM

^^ I'd love to dream and wish PAL was a world-class airline, but sadly, we're nowhere near that yet. In the meantime, we have to settle with what PAL has given us, which may not necessarily be the best. At least it's much better than their older products.

A bit of a reality check based on my previous statement:

* The new seats are not completely lie-flat. They're flat, but they are positioned at an angle when fully reclined.
* Mabuhay Class on short-haul and long-haul products will naturally be different. PAL's narrow-body fleet has a different seat product than the Recaro seats used on PAL's long-haul fleet. The upholstery is merely a superficial factor; people will care more about seat comfort rather than seat aesthetics.
* Unless PAL seriously overhauls its website and adds more form and function, don't expect an interactive seat demo anytime soon. PAL's website is the epitome of mediocrity among major legacy carriers, at least in my opinion.

Hopefully PAL will recognize that its customers are willing to take its cudgels for it, but it should at least reward customer loyalty with excellent service. My take on new F/A uniforms and a new safety video may not be answered until the 77Ws (or even the A359s) arrive, but at least we are willing to wait. (Speaking of uniforms, I hope PAL introduces a new baro't saya.)

----

Anyway, moving on to the shiftiness of SEAIR and their A320s. Seems that they decided to defer their orders, although they did announce service to Masbate. (If I ended up getting you thinking about it, they are not serving Masbate City, according to the article's nuances.)

Philippines' Seair shelves plans to add A320s (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/05/08/326225/philippines-seair-shelves-plans-to-add-a320s.html)
By Leithen Francis

Philippine carrier Seair has shelved plans to operate Airbus A320s on domestic and international routes.

Seair had been aiming to add its first A320 in late March but the airline's director, Nick Gitsis, says it has put its A320 plans on hold because of the global economic situation.

"We want to sit it out and wait for the recovery," he says, without giving a new time-frame.

Seair announced in September 2006 it would be operating A320s from Clark in the Philippines to domestic and international destinations.

Singapore was to be its first international destination so it could link up with Singapore's Tiger Airways, which was planning to lease it the first two A320s.

The change in plan means Seair is now focused on its domestic turboprop business.

Gitsis says on 17 May Seair will be launching a twice-weekly service from Manila to El Nido in the southern Philippines using Let 410s.

He also says next month it plans to launch a service from Manila to the central Philippines island of Masbate, which has a privately-owned airport that is being upgraded.

A resort company controls the airport and until now the only airline operating there regularly has been charter airline Island Transvoyager which operates Dornier 228s, says Gitsis.

Seair operates a fleet of six Let 410s, three of which it is trying to sell, and it has four Dornier 328s and is looking to acquire two more, adds Gitsis.

mikem488

May 17th, 2009, 09:40 PM

Appreciate the good news on the second PAL refurbish plane. I fly four round trips a year between LAX and Manila. I know what day the original refurbished plane would fly. But it alternate between LAX and San Francisco. Now I am guessing that LAX will get one and San Francisco will get the other.

The new lie flat are not the most comfortable but they do okay. I thought Northwest were better lie flat seats. PAL lie flatter than Northwest. I thought the angle was too steep on Northwest.

As to wifi. All the airlines in the United States are starting to install. Most should be done by the end of 2010. There are two systems used. One using towers on the ground and the other uses satellites.

Alaska Airlines and Southwest are testing the satellites (Row 44). While the land based systems are being installed on the rest of the airlines. No more testing on land based. That system definitely works. The owner of the land base system (aircell) also was discussing using satellites for ocean going flights.

Cost are $9.95 (475p)for less than 3 hour flight. $12.95 (615p) for more than 3 hours..

I would think that PAL new 777-ER will come installed with the satellite capability. But you never know with PAL.

Sky Harbor

May 17th, 2009, 09:50 PM

Chrisvenz

May 17th, 2009, 10:30 PM

Terminal Transients; Airports aren't just doors to faraway places but homes to the homeless
16 May 2009

Bodies are sprawled on couches and chairs, or tucked into corners on the floor. Metal luggage carts offer some semblance of privacy as stacks of luggage shield the sleepers from prying eyes.

On the top floor of Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, it's 2:30 a. m. Stretched and curled across the striped couches and black plastic chairs around Wolfgang Puck, a 24-hour cafe, people are lulled by Top-40 music playing softly in the background. Some sleeping restlessly are clearly travellers, mouths fallen open and surrounded by piles of suitcases, biding time until takeoff. With others, it's not as clear.

The privately owned airport is always open. There are always sleeping bodies. But often, employees say, the same vagabond faces return time and again.

Pankaj Patei, a porter for a shuttle service company, says the faces who return grow familiar, although at first it's nearly impossible to tell who is homeless and who is laid over for the night. They almost all have luggage with them, he says.

"Usually we don't bother anybody. Even police don't bother anyone," he said. "Everyone knows, but we can't do nothing. They aren't harming anybody."

Whether it is the anonymity or the empathetic staff, they keep coming back, Mr. Patei says: "They just fall in love with the airport."

A woman without a ticket was asked to leave Terminal 1 last week. An airport employee called management to report the woman in her mid-forties, who had allegedly slept on her pink suitcase for about a month. Police said she presented identification with a Toronto address, and told them she arrived that morning by bus. Peel Regional Police gave her a bus ticket and sent her on her way.

Clusters of homeless people settling in terminals have become a headache for U.S. authorities in recent years. Last year, 400 people in an Atlanta airport were coaxed into shelters. Most North American airports have armrests between rows of chairs to prevent repeat overnight guests.

Pearson airport is the largest in Canada. About 88,000 travellers pass through each day, 32.3 million people each year. Terminal 1 is a sprawling, three-storey behemoth of a building. It is home to Air Canada arrivals and departures, and everything outside the departure gates and employee areas is accessible to the public. During the day, it is a bustling gateway to the country swarming with airport staff.

At night, the airport feels completely different. Travellers lining up for flights are fewer and more groggy. The escalators slow down and the building emits a greenish glow from low-lights scattered throughout.

As Starbucks locks its gates and the night's final departures take off, the airport becomes a safe place for passengers to wait out the night. It may also be the biggest undercover homeless shelter in the city.

Amarjit Bhatti works the overnight shift at Wolfgang Puck, the cafe tucked between departure gates on Terminal 1's third floor. Mr. Bhatti has worked at the airport for 20 years. He's grown accustomed to the 8:30 p. m. to 6 a. m. overnight shift. He says he's also grown accustomed to the nighttime company. He sees four or five familiar sleeping bodies each night, sometimes for months at a time.

"They don't cause trouble. There are so many cameras here," he says of the airport's surveillance system. Mr. Bhatti points out a man eating a $9 turkey sandwich. "He comes every day," he says. "I see he's there, I've never talked to him. I never give him a hard time. He comes and spends the night."

The man wears a thin white T-shirt and has a purple backpack. His grey hair is long and unkempt. He identifies himself as Berkeley Forster, and says he's 56 years old. He's on his way to Sicily, he says, leaving some time on the weekend.

"I've seen a lot of airports. Who wants to spend $200 a night for a hotel room, the way the recession is right now? Everyone needs their sleep." Not long after, he finishes his sandwich, stretches out on two chairs and falls asleep.

Two hours later, his nap is over. He walks with his backpack along Terminal 1's long corridor and down an escalator, either to catch a bus, or find somewhere more covert to rest.

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority doesn't keep statistics on how often trespassers are found, says GTAA spokeswoman Trish Krale, although she says it's rare. "There's no official protocol in place. It would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis."

The authority knows travellers use the airport to stay the night, in the case they've missed a flight or have an early take-off. But staying one night is a far cry from taking up residence, she said. "If someone was in the same location for a long period, that would be noticed."

An officer working overnight yesterday morning said he knows people stay in the building for longer than a night. Living in the airport isn't impossible, even with round-the-clock police surveillance, he said, especially if you keep moving and don't cause a ruckus.

"The vast majority of them don't cause any problems but yeah, it happens," said the officer, who declined to give his name but said he's worked for the Peel Regional Police for 22 years. He said if police find someone who appears homeless or who has no money, airport police will pay a fare for them, depending on where they're headed. "They'll pay for them to go as far as London, [Ont.]," he said.

Constable J. P. Valade said someone with no reason to be at the airport is trespassing. "If they fail to leave or refuse to leave, they would be arrested and escorted off the property."

The Vancouver airport shares a similar trespassing policy.

"If a person in the terminal does not have an airline ticket, the airport authority can ask them to leave the premises," said Alana Lawrence, spokeswoman for the Vancouver Airport Authority. "That would be something I would be aware of. Homelessness hasn't been an issue here."

Without money or a grocery store nearby, it's unclear where these nomadic visitors eat or clean themselves when they stay at the airport. "They're here for months. They must eat somewhere," said Lydia, a magazine stand clerk at Pearson. "I used to see a man sit [at a cafe] drinking coffee.... He doesn't look homeless, he looks clean. Just sits and drinks his coffee, reads his Bible. Every day."

She says staff at the airport don't report the people they recognize, so she's not sure what happens to them.

"It's not really any of our business," she said. "Sometimes I talk to them, to see if they need help. Sometimes they don't answer. Sometimes they say they work here. But you work here. You know they don't work here."

kiretoce

May 18th, 2009, 04:15 AM

New Mindanao flight route to boost tourism (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090517-205528/New-Mindanao-flight-route-to-boost-tourism)

Northern Mindanao's tourism industry could get a boost with budget carrier Cebu Pacific's opening of its Davao-Cagayan de Oro route, a local tourism official said Saturday.

The new route is a “good connection” for international flights to Davao City, which is fast becoming Mindanao’s international hub, with direct flights from Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore, said Catalino Chan, tourism director for Northern Mindanao.

Davao City is also the country’s main link to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), he said.

Chan said the expected increase in tourist arrivals would also spur the economies of nearby tourism service-providing localities in Northern Mindanao such as Camiguin, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

The Gokongwei-owned carrier opened the 50-minute Davao-Cagayan de Oro route last Thursday, with flights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Using a 72-seater ATR aircraft, the flight leaves Davao City at 6 p.m., and returns to the city at 7:10 p.m.

Before Cebu Pacific opened the route, tourists going to Northern Mindanao have to fly to Manila or Cebu before flying to either Butuan or this city.

For those flying into the country via the Davao Airport, the only option then was land transport, which takes about eight hours to this city.

In Ozamiz city, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. said Cebu Pacific also announced that it would open a Manila-Ozamiz flight.

Cebu Pacific's vice-president for marketing and distribution, Candice Iyog, confirmed this, saying the new route would start on June 16, with an Airbus A319 aircraft.

The route will likely be serviced four times a week, she said.

The Manila-Ozamiz route is currently served only by Air Philippines, another budget airliner.

Sky Harbor

May 18th, 2009, 04:47 AM

^^ Ironically, DVO-HKG was discontinued, and DVO-MDO is but a charter. Cagayan de Oro residents who want to travel abroad are still better off flying to Cebu than Davao.

Noize_320

May 18th, 2009, 06:23 AM

^^ yeah, again...pangit ng sched...pag-dating mo sa DVO, you have to stay overnight to get to Silkair in the afternoon...but, the main reason for the flight is to connect the two for travel efficiency :D

hybridace101

May 18th, 2009, 04:28 PM

^^ RP-C7475 is not normally used on trans-Pacific routes because it has a different seating arrangement than the other 744s. It's usually used for routes like MNL-NRT and some high-density regional routes, but it occasionally sees trans-Pac service. Glad to see you like the seats though.

As I said previously: if and when PAL introduces WiFi into their planes, they have to make it affordable for passengers to use. Who would pay P615 to use the Internet on a fifteen-hour flight seeing as Mabuhay Class seats have no power outlets, presuming said passenger will use a laptop?

I used 7475 (former N754) on MNL-SFO. Lucky we used an A340 on our flight back home.

On the issue of wifi, are you sure 7471 and 7475 don't have power ports for laptops? I used the Business class on PR's A320 and it had. Also, it's worth remembering that a) they make announcements saying laptops with an active internet connection must not be used and b) handphones (including those with WiFi) must be switched-off. Finally, on whether we can see Wifi on our planes, don't count on it if foreign carriers don't adopt it soon.

I have to agree they need to overhaul their safety video. You've seen Thai's safety video? It's quite refreshing to see. I won't be surprised though if the 77W's safety video won't get an overhaul. They can just easily replace the part where they introduce the exits of the aircraft and keep all other parts unchanged.

mwg12a

May 19th, 2009, 03:24 AM

Don't count on it if you can't find anymore overseas airlines having WiFi.

Airtran, united, american airlines are retrofitting wifis in their fleets, mostly on domestic fleets. I'm pretty sure since almost everything now is being offered for a fee, i wouldn't doubt that wifi wouldn't be free. It would be nice if it does...

sloanesquare

May 19th, 2009, 04:11 AM

Air Force officer saves airliner with fuel leak
Staff Sergeant Bartek Bachleda took this shot of the fuel leak.

Georgina Robinson
May 18, 2009
A US Air Force officer says he had to video a fuel leak in the wing of the airliner he was on before a stewardess would believe him.

Staff Sergeant Bartek Bachleda has been hailed a hero after his keen eye and patient persistence 35,000 feet above the ground saved 300 passengers on board a flight from Chicago to Japan last week.

"I noticed the leak on the left side of the aircraft right behind the wing earlier during take-off," said Sergeant Bachleda.

His first appeal to the flight attendant was met with ambivalence and the young sergeant didn't want to be rude, he told Air Force investigators.

"Ma'am it's an emergency," he said on his second approach after videoing the leak and identifying himself as an Air Force sergeant.

"She was completely serious and was no longer handing out drinks," Sergeant Bachleda said.

"I told her you need to inform your captain before we go oceanic."

The aircraft's captain came to inspect the footage, which explained why the plane was losing 2700 kilograms of fuel each hour.

The captain said the flight would be diverted back to Chicago, but then changed it to San Francisco so passengers could catch the only flight to Narita airport.

"When we got off the airplane everyone was thanking us," Sergeant Bachleda said.

The captain told Sergeant Bachleda they would never have made it to Japan if he hadn't raised the alarm.

Sky Harbor

May 19th, 2009, 12:10 PM

At the rate the Philippines is going with airport development, I hope we don't become another South Korea.

----

South Korea's abandoned airports (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8055957.stm)

By John Sudworth
BBC News, Seoul

Yangyang International is an airport looking for a reason to exist. Built on South Korea's east coast just seven years ago, you won't find any delays or long queues here. In fact, you won't find any passengers at all.

The initial vision could not have been more different.

Up to three million people a year were meant to throng the gleaming floors of the departure and arrival halls, built at a cost of almost $400m (£260m).

But last year an average of just 26 passengers a day came through the doors, vastly outnumbered by the 146 airport staff on hand to serve them.

In November the last commercial flight took off, and the terminal became what the Korean national press has dubbed a "ghost airport", an impressive monument to overestimated demand.

But it is not an isolated example.

Empty spaces

In fact, if there was to be an award for the world's quietest international airports, South Korea would surely be one of the favourites.

At the other end of the country from Yangyang, way down in the south-west, is the even newer Muan International Airport.

It opened less than two years ago, and although a handful of flights do at least land there, the terminal is struggling.

Built amidst the surrounding onion fields, it looks an unlikely spot for a thriving airport, and the scene inside is, once again, one of empty check-in desks and empty spaces.

Figures for last year show passenger levels at less than 3% of capacity.

"It might be better if it was used a bit more," said one passenger I spoke to, part of a group of Korean tourists preparing to catch one of only two flights leaving that day.

"But having said that," she added, "it is nice to come to an airport that isn't busy for a change."

Vanishing demand

As elsewhere, the project was meant to be a boost for the local economy, bringing in visitors, and connecting the local economy with the wider world.

But the region's farmers and fishermen may now wonder if it was a worthwhile investment.

South Korea has a total of 14 regional airports. Figures show that 11 of them lost money last year.

What should have been the 15th, another new east-coast airport, already more than 80% complete, has been suspended because of lack of demand.

And there is currently an ongoing debate about the wisdom of the plans to build yet one more, somewhere near the southern port city of Busan.

One reason for the lack of demand for air travel may be the simultaneous development of a high-speed rail link that now whisks travellers from one end of the country to the other in less than three hours, as well as the construction of a network of new motorways.

'Political logic'

Local airports have been built by "political rather than market logic", according to one newspaper.

The Korean Citizens' Action Network, an organisation that monitors government spending, claims that hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted on terminals and runways that simply are not needed.

"Politicians, in order to gain votes, promise their constituents an airport," said spokesman Choi In-wook.

"Rather than checking the need thoroughly, the feasibility studies can be distorted to support the projects, and as a result there is an oversupply of airports in this country."

Could not the case be made, though, that some of today's under-used airports may turn out to have a long-term future?

"Maybe," he said. "If they honestly forecast that there would be large, initial losses for a long-term strategic benefit, then fair enough. But from the beginning the feasibility reports are inaccurate, so no one knows the true prospects."

Both the government and the Korea Airports Corporation, the body that manages the regional airports, refused the BBC's request for an interview.

There are those, like the staff at Yangyang airport, who do indeed believe that they may still find a profitable future for their terminal.

But it is the views of the passengers that really matter - and for now, they are voting with their feet.

Chrisvenz

May 19th, 2009, 02:40 PM

Kuwait Airways told to pay PAL $1M
For unpaid contract obligations

By Tetch Torres

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the backing of two governments, Kuwait Airways Corp. was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines over $1 million in contract obligations between the two airlines.

The case stems from PAL’s claim that Kuwait Airways should pay for the uplift of passengers and cargo from April 13 to October 28, 1995, after the governments of Kuwait and the Philippines signed a confidential memorandum of understanding granting exemptions to royalty payments effective on the signing of the agreement, April 12, 1995.

In a 23-page decision of the high court’s second division penned by Associate Justice Dante Tinga, the high court dismissed the appeal filed by Kuwait Airways seeking a reversal of the decision by the Makati City Regional Trial Court dated October 25, 2002.

The bilateral agreement, Kuwait Airways had argued in its appeal, in effect terminated the commercial agreement it entered into with Philippine Airlines which specified that the third and fourth freedom traffic rights will be observed, along with the revenue-sharing agreement that go with it.

Freedom traffic rights are the so-called five freedoms in the International Air Transport Agreement (IATA) signed in 1944; each signatory country agreed to grant each other five freedoms. The third freedom is the privilege to disembark passengers, mail, and cargo taken on in the territory of the flag carrier’s country while the fourth freedom is the privilege to take on passengers, mail, and cargo destined for the territory of the flag carrier’s country.

PAL does not dispute the provisions of the confidential memorandum of understanding, but told the court it cannot take effect immediately. It said the termination date of the commercial agreement is October 31, 1995 or the last day of the traffic period for that year.

On the other hand, Kuwait Airways argued that the bilateral agreement is superior to the commercial agreement having signed by both governments. It maintained that the government-to-government accord terminated the airline-to-airline contract soon after the former was signed in 1995.

But the Supreme Court said not even the two governments could immediately terminate the commercial agreement between the two commercial airlines.

The high court explained that even if PAL is subject to the limits of the law, still, the government has to respect the property rights of the airline and cannot arbitrarily confiscate or appropriate any property without due process of law.

“There is nothing to prevent the Philippine government from utilizing all the proper channels under the law to enforce such closure, but unless and until due process is observed, it does not have legal effect in this jurisdiction,” it said.

“Even granting that the ‘agreement’ between the two governments or their representatives creates a binding obligation under international law, it remains incumbent for each contracting party to adhere to its own internal law in the process of complying with its obligations,” the high court said.

It added that the commitment made by the government or its alter ego cannot be considered “divine” so as to exclude the legal rights of private persons.

The high court added that had PAL remained a government-owned and -controlled corporation, it would have had no choice but to abide by the bilateral agreement. In 1992, a private consortium acquired 67 percent of PAL shares.

In its decision, the Supreme Court said that while it sympathizes with Kuwait Airlines for relying on the commitment made by the Philippine government, everyone still needs to “respect the segregate identity of the government and that of a private corporation and give due meaning to that segregation, vital as it is to the very notion of democracy.”

At the same time, the high court faulted the executive department, particularly the Civil Aeronautics Board, for its failure to resort to legal remedies such as annulment or reformation of the contract between PAL and Kuwait Airlines

hybridace101

May 19th, 2009, 03:00 PM

In layman's terms, please explain the 1st-5th freedom rights? I'm a little confused by what each of them mean.

Sky Harbor

May 19th, 2009, 04:42 PM

^^ Feel free to see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedoms_of_the_air. However, to simplify the freedoms of the air (there are nine):

* First: overflying
* Second: technical stops
* Third: international flights
* Fourth: international cargo flights to your home country
* Fifth: connecting international flights
* Sixth: hub flights (connecting international flights with connections done in the airline's home country)
* Seventh: international cargo flights to another country
* Eighth: true cabotage (example is MNL-SYD-MEL)
* Ninth: standalone cabotage (example is SYD-MEL)

Ph Man

May 19th, 2009, 10:04 PM

Let me share some HK photos I just uploaded last night. Taken Oct last year.

City check-in counters at 2IFC Mall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/3543198170_e392baf250.jpg

HKG Aerials
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/3542343625_b97b868392.jpg

Somebody at the other thread said terminal is phoenix-shaped
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3542322243_84ea2f10d4.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3542304523_b37eedc264.jpg

Took the PR311 flght
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/3542397441_da1b33b78c.jpg

Airport Express
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3542400343_b4d097181d.jpg

F(rancis) ;)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/3542407121_88faa30bcc.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/3543211792_0180ea6113.jpg

mwg12a

May 20th, 2009, 04:37 AM

Let me share some HK photos I just uploaded last night. Taken Oct last year.

City check-in counters at 2IFC Mall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/3543198170_e392baf250.jpg

this is what NAIA needs, a check in center elsewhere to prevent congestions, it can be somewhere in NAIA facility on either T1 or T2. PAL should atleast enforce these in T2

sloanesquare

May 20th, 2009, 01:19 PM

Lucio Tan’s nightmare
LUCIO TAN, irascible lately because of brother Mariano Tanenglian, had finally consented to an urgent medical procedure last week.

According to the grapevine, the taipan underwent a minor surgery at the St. Luke’s Medical Center to repair a torn ligament caused by a recent slip, caused when he tripped while alighting from a helicopter.

With the 74-year-old billionaire knocked off for a few hours while under the knife, thoughts about the future of his empire and orderly succession, according to the grapevine, were foremost in the minds of his key lieutenants and his extended family.

The future of the taipan’s airline, banking, beer, cigarette and real estate empire has become especially muddier when Tanenglian, instead of a get-well card, sent public notification by way of the PCGG that he was seriously considering turning state witness, effectively joining the Marcoses, against his elder brother.

(Tanenglian, 69, had earlier been heard telling Binondo friends and colleagues that Lucio is not his blood brother. And that is the printable part.)

Tanenglian’s counsel Raymundo Quiroz declined to give any reason, assuming that he knew, what exactly his principal’s beef and objective were in this increasingly public feud.

“Mutual destruction,” countered someone within the Lucio Tan camp.

Tan, according to the grapevine, made no secret his dislike of Tanenglian’s wife, which added corrosive and combustible effects in the light of the findings of an internal audit that an estimated P60-billion loss in trading, fuel hedging, and metals hoarding led directly to Tanenglian’s treasury operations.

Incidentally, Allied Bank is holding its stockholders’ meeting tomorrow morning, and the Lucio Tan camp awaits with bated breath if Tanenglian, the bank treasurer for 32 years until March, would show up and insist on attending the annual exercise.

Highly unlikely, according to Quiroz, adding that his principal did not want to create a spectacle or a repeat of the February incident where Tanenglian’s car was stopped and prevented from entering even the Allied Bank driveway.

Then again, Quiroz was not so sure next week, when the more publicly traded Philippine National Bank, Tanduay Holdings and Eton Properties hold their respective annual meetings at the Century Park Hotel.

Money-go-round

hybridace101

May 21st, 2009, 01:35 PM

I miss the Airport Express in HKG having individual monitors in every seat. Why did they remove it?

ianers_ianized

May 21st, 2009, 02:18 PM