Running for home2

"This is it, it's March 16 and few hours from now I'll be in Cebu", I told myself. My flight was at two in the afternoon and it was already eleven in the morning and I was still packing. I didn't realize soon that I had lots of stuff with me, those for giveaways and some things I decided to be better at home.

I think it was five minutes to twelve when I went out from my apartment. I got to the airport by 1pm and I thought I was the only one who hadn't checked in yet. I was close to flying time and guess what?  I had 24kilos excess baggage! I was told then to go to Thai Airways  excess baggage counter to pay 6,000baht. I ran to the counter  and I was a bit annoyed to find out that nobody was there. I ran back to the check-in counter and asked where should I pay and the counter attendant told me to go to Thai Airways office instead.

The office wasn't near Philippine Airlines check- in counters and goodness! all the transactions there needed a queue!Yes! Without separating different transactions! A customer may inquire some flights and get some options, plus paying some if confirmed so of course that transaction alone takes a lot of time.

That was quite a bit long queue for me and I had to wait again. I waited for my number, I didn't see it and later it jumped to the next number I was holding,. I went then to one of the counters asking why my queue wasn't called and the lady in there just told me to get another queue number again as it went passed already.

There I went pissed off and told her I didn't need to do what she told me, and she had to attend my need. I got so mad and all first, of them not being in their post, in the excess baggage counter and they just refer transactions  in their office which apparently takes more time as all transactions  there are mixed up. I thought that was a lousy way of service,  do they have service? One may also take the map how far is their office from other check-in counters.  I think this system of Thai Airways should be improved. They should simplify their counter's functions. No wonder I observed lots of displeased customers in their office.

Anyway, the other counter offered to do my transaction right there, of course in Thailand, you'd be surprised finding working  Thais doing their work fast. You may want to take a test, check their supermarkets counters. They wouldn't really mind the long lines, they just do their work at their own pace when the cashiers are more comfortable.

I ran back, yes really ran to the fastest I could to get back to  the check- in counter to present the receipt, got my boarding passes and headed to the gate. I was lucky at least no one else was in the line for immigration check. And yes, the immigration officers are more pleasant I think especially if to compare to the Philippines. A lady with Philippine Airline's banner was there waiting at the main entrance after I had my immigration check done. She guided me the direction.  Obviously, I was the last one to come. I should be earlier at least if the excess baggage counter attendant was on the post, it took me thirty minutes just to get my excess payment. Just to pay and getting the receipt  for that  long  isn't quite fine and not fair at all.

I got on the plane running and glad I just had my backpack and my brand new notebook in my hands.  We left the airport for a few minutes more as there was a repair being done on the ceiling as we were told. I thought they were waiting  for me hahahaha! I had a great flight, PAL had its senior officer on board and yes, drinks were bottomless. I had red wine and the meal was good. It was my first to sit on the center aisle as well making me appreciate more the beauty of the aircraft. I got to Ninoy Aquino International Airport still smiling despite the Thai excess baggage payment counter nightmare.

Have I mentioned I'm so grateful to the very  kind Thai taxi driver who helped me with my things? He headed with me  all the way to  Suvarnabhumi buliding pushing my cart minding I had three bags with me. And to think I didn't ask for any help. That was the best thing that happened to me that day...and yes, the bottomless drinks! hehehehe! :D