Why don’t we use earphones when on the airport? And the place precisely ought to we hold our energy banks? These are simply a number of the questions we’ll be answering on this article.
We’ll undergo the frequent errors that first-time flyers typically make. If it’s your first time touring by air, I’m positive this put up might be helpful for you. Or if you already know somebody — a relative or a good friend — who’s flying for the primary time, you possibly can share this with them. Even in case you’re not a primary timer, that is nonetheless value studying as a result of, typically, we overlook to do or overlook essentially the most basic items.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the strategy planning stage, you can too go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our really helpful inns and excursions. Simply go to this web page: TPT Masterlist. Now we have a compilation for locations world wide.
1. Arriving late or on the incorrect time.
Test-in Counter Closing
Many first-time vacationers don’t know that check-in counters often shut no less than 45 minutes earlier than the departure time — or one hour for worldwide flights. That’s why we frequently see posts on social media complaining they weren’t allowed to board once they arrived on the check-in counter, let’s say, half-hour earlier than their departure time.
There are additionally a number of steps or processes it’s important to undergo earlier than you possibly can truly board the airplane. So, you want loads of time. Generally, check-in counters open three hours earlier than the departure time. For home flights, some airways usually accommodate passengers on the assigned check-in counters two hours previous to departure. However for us, we intention to get to the airport 4 hours earlier than the flight, particularly throughout peak season, so we now have allowance in case get caught in visitors on the way in which to the airport. Our mantra: Higher protected than sorry.
24-Hour Time Format
One other factor to recollect is that airways and airports world wide comply with a 24-hour format or navy time. So in case your ticket says your flight is at 8:00, that’s 8AM. If it have been 8PM, it needs to be 20:00. And 15:00 isn’t 5PM. It’s 3PM. The secret is to subtract 12 to get the time within the afternoon or night. So, 5PM is 17:00, and 7PM is nineteen:00. You might refer beneath for straightforward reference.
24-Hour Time Format
- 1:00 = 1:00 AM
- 2:00 = 2:00 AM
- 3:00 = 3:00 AM
- 4:00 = 4:00 AM
- 5:00 = 5:00 AM
- 6:00 = 6:00 AM
- 7:00 = 7:00 AM
- 8:00 = 8:00 AM
- 9:00 = 9:00 AM
- 10:00 = 10:00 AM
- 11:00 = 11:00 AM
- 12:00 = 12:00 PM
- 13:00 = 1:00 PM
- 14:00 = 2:00 PM
- 15:00 = 3:00 PM
- 16:00 = 4:00 PM
- 17:00 = 5:00 PM
- 18:00 = 6:00 PM
- 19:00 = 7:00 PM
- 20:00 = 8:00 PM
- 21:00 = 9:00 PM
- 22:00 = 10:00 PM
- 23:00 = 11:00 PM
- 24:00 = 12:00 AM
For seasoned vacationers, you may suppose, “That’s so fundamental!” However a number of first-timers actually get confused…and even non-newbies!
Now we have a good friend who travels internationally quite a bit, however for some purpose, she skilled this throughout her Vietnam journey — possibly she was too drained that point and had a little bit of a mind fog. Their flight was at 6 o’clock. Nervous that they may miss it, they arrived on the airport as early as 1PM. Tremendous early, proper? However guess what — they nonetheless missed their flight! Why? As a result of they confirmed up at 6PM, when their flight was truly at 6AM. In order that they missed their flight and needed to guide a brand new one. That was an pointless expense. Cash down the drain!
We additionally get many questions on this in our DM, and folks additionally put up about it in The Poor Traveler Assist Group on Fb. Many are nonetheless confused.
✅ If in case you have any questions or want journey suggestions, be happy to put up them to the TPT Assist Group. The members are very useful. This Fb help group has been round for a very long time, and lots of members have discovered journey buddies by way of it. You’ll be able to be a part of too! Simply go to The Poor Traveler Assist Group. Observe that that is completely different from The Poor Traveler Fb web page.
2. Arriving on the incorrect terminal.
Many airports world wide have a number of terminals. Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (NAIA), also called Manila Worldwide Airport, has 4 terminals: NAIA Terminal 1, 2, 3, and 4. And every has its personal assigned airways and routes.
We gained’t undergo the terminal assignments as a result of they modify very often. Simply keep in mind that if you guide flights, your assigned terminal is indicated in your reserving particulars. If there are any modifications, the airline will inform. And in case you choose to test in on-line, you’ll additionally see your designated terminal there.
It’s at all times greatest to test straight with the airline. You’ll discover a number of info on-line, however since terminal assignments have modified a number of occasions over the previous years, a number of the particulars are already outdated. And it’s actually inconvenient in case you make a mistake, particularly right here in NAIA, the place transferring from one terminal to a different could be fairly a problem. In the event you go to the incorrect terminal and you might be working quick on time, you may miss your flight.
By the way in which, in case you stay removed from the airport and also you wish to ensure you gained’t be late, contemplate staying at a resort close to the airport. You’ll discover loads of choices. We truly try this typically simply to make the journey much less anxious.
✅ In the event you determine to guide a resort, you should use our code AGODATPT for 10% OFF, most of PHP 5800 low cost when reserving by way of Agoda. Simply enter it on the DEALS web page of the Agoda app, and enter it once more upon try.
✅ In the event you choose Klook, our promo codes are THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK and TPTKLOOK5 for five% OFF.
3. Skipping on-line check-in.
Airways often provide a web based check-in possibility, and you need to reap the benefits of it. Whenever you test in on-line, it hurries up your wait on the airport as a result of the road for passengers who checked in on-line is often shorter. Though we’ve had a few situations the place it was the other. However generally, the road for that is shorter.
Right here within the Philippines, we nonetheless usually must line up if we now have check-in baggage. In the event you’re already checked in on-line, make your approach to the counter with a “BAG DROP” label. Technically, you’re already checked in as a passenger. You’re simply handing over your baggage. Some airways, like in Europe and New Zealand, and I believe in Hong Kong additionally, have machines for that, letting passengers test in their very own baggage.
And oftentimes, even in case you didn’t pay for seat quantity choice however you checked in on-line early, there’s the next probability you’ll nonetheless be seated collectively together with your companions as a result of there are nonetheless many obtainable seats.
How early on-line check-in opens is determined by the airline. Often, it’s 24-48 hours earlier than departure. However some airways permit doing it a lot earlier, like days earlier than. Like AirAsia, in case you test in utilizing the app, you possibly can test in as early as 14 days forward of your flight.
And the longer term is gearing towards on-line check-in. Some airways in Europe even cost an additional payment in case you test in on the airport, making on-line check-in a should in case you don’t need this extra cost.
4. Miscalculating your bag’s weight.
It may well actually be a pricey mistake in case you exceed your baggage allowance. The load restrict is determined by the airline, the route, and the fare class you booked. For low-cost carriers, it doesn’t routinely include baggage allowance, except you deliberately add it.
For instance, with Cebu Pacific, you’ve gotten these choices: Go Fundamental, Go Straightforward, and Go Flexi. Go Fundamental is the most cost effective, however it doesn’t embody checked baggage — solely a 7-kilogram hand-carry.
In the meantime, with Philippine Airways, checked baggage allowance is routinely included, however the dimension of the bag allowance is determined by the fare class. They’ve Financial system and Enterprise Class. Below economic system, you possibly can typically select from these: fundamental economic system, economic system saver, and premium economic system. Each has a unique allocation — typically 23kg, different occasions 15kg. Simply test what you guide and its inclusions. In case your ticket doesn’t embody baggage and also you wish to add it, do that prematurely. Don’t wait till you’re on the airport as a result of it’s way more costly.
Our tip: weight your suitcase or baggage at house.
We use a weighing scale from World Traveler. You principally hook your bag onto it, carry it, after which it reveals you the burden. We additionally convey this once we journey, so we are able to test if we’re about to exceed our restrict and if we have to purchase additional baggage allowance. That is very helpful for us. Typically, if vacationers transcend their baggage allowance and so they’re not keen to pay additional, they’ll must take away objects from their baggage. It’s such a problem, and folks in line get irritated as a result of it takes so lengthy.
5. Not packing your baggage your self.
You have to be the one to pack your bag. Why? So that you could be positive about every little thing that’s inside. There are various prohibited objects, and you might be liable for your personal bag or baggage.
I’ve a associated expertise after I was touring with my younger nephew then. My sister was based mostly in Tokyo at the moment, and I used to be simply accompanying him. His baggage was packed by his mother — my sister. So, I had no concept what objects have been inside his bag. On the airport, we had already checked in our baggage, gone by way of immigration, and have been ready on the boarding space. Then my nephew’s identify was known as over the intercom. Since he was a minor, I went as an alternative of him.
Once I bought to this considerably secluded space, the employees spoke to me. They advised me that they detected one thing suspicious inside his checked-in bag. I used to be requested what it was. Neither my nephew nor I knew. In order that they requested me to open it. It was an influence financial institution!
We will’t stress this sufficient: In the event you’re accountable for the bag, you need to know what’s inside. That is additionally the explanation why you shouldn’t settle for or carry objects from individuals you don’t know, particularly these you simply met on the airport. Once more, by no means agree to hold another person’s bag. You don’t know what’s in it. For all you already know, it could possibly be unlawful, and also you’re the one who’ll get in hassle.
And since we already talked about energy banks…
6. Not following energy financial institution and liquid restrictions.
Liquid Restrictions
Keep in mind, the liquids in your hand-carry or carry-on bag should not exceed 100mL per container. Observe that they test the capability of the container, not the present quantity of liquid inside. For instance, if in case you have a toner or a sunblock that’s already half-empty, however the container’s capability is 200 mL, there’s nonetheless an opportunity it may be confiscated. If that’s the case, it’s safer to only test it in. And ideally, place your liquids in a transparent pouch.
Energy Financial institution Restrictions
Nowadays, they’re getting stricter in relation to energy banks. There have been many circumstances of them exploding, so they have to at all times be inside your sight. That method, if one thing occurs, it may be addressed or fastened instantly. Guidelines differ per airline, however let’s take a look at Philippine Airways — it’s virtually the identical as Cebu Pacific.
First, you could carry it with you contained in the airplane. By no means ever put it in your checked-in baggage, so that you gained’t find yourself in the identical state of affairs my nephew and I did. Furthermore, whereas contained in the airplane, don’t put it within the overhead bins. You need to hold it in your individual, or put it within the seat pocket or below your seat. You will need to place it someplace you possibly can at all times see. And of late, you’re not allowed to apply it to board.
Additionally, it shouldn’t exceed 160 Wh (watt-hours). If it’s lower than 100 watt-hours, no approval is required. And if it’s between 100 and 160 watt-hours, it’s good to have it accepted on the check-in counter.
Since what we often see is mAh, how will we compute watt-hours? To seek out out the watt-hours of our energy banks, the system is: (mAh x Voltage) ÷ 1000. That’s mAh occasions voltage, then divide the product by 1000. So, for instance, your energy financial institution has 20,000 mAh and three.7 volts. The watt-hours can be 74, in order that’s allowed.
It’s additionally essential to notice that some airways and nations require certifications for energy banks, so be sure you test that too.
7. Dropping your passport or boarding go.
I’m responsible as charged! There was this one time in Istanbul whereby I had already cleared Immigration and made it to the boarding space earlier than realizing my passport was lacking. I actually had no concept the place I’d left it, however fortuitously, I used to be capable of finding it.
You’d be stunned that it’s extra frequent than you suppose. Typically we simply stick our passport someplace after which overlook the place we put it. That’s why having a devoted pocket in your bag to your passport and essential paperwork may be very handy. It’s one thing you possibly can simply entry with out mixing your passport with different objects. Or in case you don’t have that, you should purchase a small clear envelope the place you possibly can hold your passport, boarding go, and so on. Because it’s clear, you possibly can see it instantly.
Boarding passes are straightforward to misplace additionally, since they’re simply paper. So, typically, a digital copy can also be okay. Make sure that to deal with your journey paperwork, particularly your passport.
I’ve discovered my lesson. When flying, I at all times put on a polo with a pocket, the place I hold my passport and boarding go. I can see it immediately and get it simply after I want it. So, from check-in to boarding the airplane, it’s simply there in my pocket. And as soon as I not want it, I put it within the small clear envelope and hold it in my bag.
8. Complicated boarding time with departure time.
Earlier, we mentioned the distinction between check-in time and departure time. This time, we’ll speak about boarding time.
So if you test in, you’re given a boarding go, and it reveals a time. That’s your boarding time. Typically, it additionally says “GATE CLOSES at ___“, adopted by a time. Which means you have to be on the gate earlier than that point.
It’s because the gate often closes 15-20 minutes earlier than departure time, and typically, even earlier, relying on numerous components. As soon as the gate closes, you can not get in. For instance, in case your flight departs at 2PM and your boarding time says 1:40 PM, you have to be on the gate by 1:40 PM. Don’t wait till 2PM!
Typically, we lose monitor of time once we get too comfy on the lounge or café, or once we’re busy procuring. You could possibly actually miss your flight if everybody has already boarded and so they’ve been calling your identify with no response. The airplane will depart with out you.
Which brings us to…
9. Sporting earphones whereas ready.
I at all times say this: the interval earlier than your flight departure is NOT the most effective time to go music-tripping. Why? As a result of updates in your flight standing can change, and so they announce these over the intercom. In the event you’re carrying earphones, you may not hear or discover the announcement since you’re not paying consideration, particularly in case you’re not on the boarding gate.
That is very true right here within the Philippines — at NAIA and different native airports, the place the sound system isn’t nice. It’s typically too mushy, or if it’s loud, it’s onerous to grasp. So don’t overcomplicate issues by listening to one thing else, even when it’s your favourite music or artist. Do it if you’re already on the airplane.
You may additionally be considering, “Then I’ll simply control the time.” However that’s not a assure. I used to work for 2 airways, and I do know there are conditions — not frequent, however they do occur — when a flight leaves sooner than scheduled. If the plane arrives forward of time and boarding begins early, and also you’re the one one lacking, they are going to begin to web page your identify a number of occasions over the intercom. And in case you missed these calls, they are going to depart with out you.
That additionally occurred to us earlier than. On one among our flights, we have been in a lounge. We thought we nonetheless had loads of time, however once we bought to the gate, it was already their final name, and so they had been paging us! It solely occurred as soon as, and we’ll be sure it gained’t occur once more! We ran like loopy. It was so anxious!
It’s actually greatest to move to the boarding gate with loads of time to spare. However even in case you’re already there, keep alert. You may miss a gate change or the beginning of boarding if, say, you get too absorbed in your telephone. So, you could at all times concentrate.
10. Dismissing eTravel.
Many individuals nonetheless skip carrying out the eTravel type as a result of they suppose it’s non-obligatory. However that is obligatory for all vacationers, whether or not Filipino or foreigner, who’re getting into or leaving the Philippines.
Each time we characteristic or point out eTravel, lots of people nonetheless remark na that it’s such a waste of time as a result of nobody was checking it. However that’s as a result of when you’ve accomplished it, they’ll already see it within the system, in order that they typically gained’t ask for it anymore. In the event you haven’t completed it, they’ll additionally see that. What is going to occur is that they’ll pull you apart and make you fill out the shape utilizing the tablets within the nook. It will delay you much more. It’s simpler to do it at house, as early as 72 hours earlier than your journey.
Now we have a extra detailed step-by-step gude right here: HOW TO ACCOMPLISH eTRAVEL FORM!
We’ll talk about this additional, together with different errors associated to Immigration and Safety checks, in a separate article. That’s all for now. Keep in mind, plan sensible, journey protected, and make each journey value it!
Have Peace of Thoughts Whereas Touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-obligatory, however we extremely suggest this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey could be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of sudden delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, contemplate PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You’ll be able to GET IT HERE. Don’t overlook to make use of WORTHIT for a particular reasonably priced charge.
Updates Log
2025 11 14 – First uploaded
Edited by: Asta Alvarez
