Thursday, June 7, 2012

DEPARTURE 101

Being a first time OFW, I had to attend the PDOS (pre-departure oversease seminar) and other briefings given by the agency where I applied back in the Philippines. BUT despite all of these briefing, they were not able to give me a good step procedure... or probably not up to date for that matter.  And mind you, this agency has been in existence for about 2 decades already.  


First of all, the most important document that you should have in hand at all times would be your PASSPORT, PLANE TICKET, and your OED (Overseas Employment Certificate)... the rest of the documents would be considered OTHERS (PDOS certificate, insurance, employment contract, NBI clearance [which was not asked from me considering that it has been in my bag the whole time... never brought out or shown to anyone in the airport].


So, since you may have those documents when you get to the airport... let me give you a step-by-step procedure of what to do or expect in the airport. 


1. Enter the OWWA Lounge which is located on the right side of the NAIA terminal 1 (departure area... considered the 3rd floor of the building). You need to show your OEC for stamping also known as VALIDATION. - I have actually asked the agency if I was to go inside the OWWA lounge which I have observed my mother (an old OFW) would usually do when we reach the departure area of the airport. And they told me that I don't have to go there since the POEA is already inside the terminal... which I found out not to be true.  Thanks to my "segurista" husband who willingly stayed with me there. He said that he would look after my luggage so that I could enter the OWWA lounge to check out for my self what was being done inside.  To my surprise, some OFWs who have already entered the terminal were asked to have their OEC certificates validated.  So as not to be going in and out (waste of time), you better have your OECs validated first before you enter the terminal.  The OEC waives the travel tax and airport tax... only for OFWs.


2. Prepare to show your passport and ticket- There would be airport police in the entrance of the terminal. They would usually ask for your passport and ticket. 


3. Prepare your strength. If you got big luggages and you are travelling alone, get ready to carry your luggage and/or boxes from your trolley onto the conveyor of the x-ray machine, then carry them back from the conveyor onto the trolley.  Well, I got to do that since I had one luggage and one big box... that had no tie or strings around it for easy lifting or pulling... It was either I pushed or carried the box.


4. Go to whichever check in counter your booked airline is.  But even before you reach the front of the check-in counter, you will have to weigh your stuff for check-in.  Right there, there are airport individuals who will check your passport and get one copy of your OEC. (Just give one of the white copies).


5. So, when you reach one of the check-in counters, hand them your passport and ticket. Lift your baggages again onto the conveyor. They will put on the stickers for proper identification where the luggages will go. And also, the numbers would correspond to the card they will give you.  The card would indicate your seat number, the gate you would enter, the airport of destination, time of boarding, and the serial number corresponding to your luggages.


6. After you have checked-in your luggages, you can now proceed to where the Airport Tax is. You are to join the cue for the OFWs. (Make it a habit to read what is written on the area). You will not pay the airport tax, instead you are to hand them the other white OEC copy. They may ask for your passport and the green copy of your OEC too ( they would just want to see it, they'll hand it back to you)


7. Up next is the immigration. Make sure that you have filled up the departure card that was given to you when you weighed your luggage... or it might be on top of tables near the immigration area. Prepare to show your passport, ticket, OEC, and other documents I have mentioned earlier.  If you don't look questionable, you will make it through the first part.  Some are brought for second interview.


8. Before you, there is another x-ray machine where you are to place all your stuff on a tray for x-ray. That would include your cellphone, bag, watch, and shoes.


9. After that, you are done and free to roam around for food, other stuff, or just to sit down if you still have time to do so. Otherwise, it would be better for you to walk straight towards your boarding gate.


10. In the boarding area, they will collect the bigger part of the ticket given to you in the check-in counter.  


11. Then you can just wait for the boarding time and instructions while seated in the boarding area.


ENJOY the experience and keep in mind that "HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY!"



1 comment:

  1. JackpotCity Casino - New Jersey - KJR Hub
    JackpotCity Casino offers 세종특별자치 출장마사지 a wide variety of gaming options 포천 출장마사지 and 성남 출장마사지 you'll have access to up to 70,000 exciting 천안 출장샵 gaming and live casino 세종특별자치 출장안마 games

    ReplyDelete