Foreign Travel?

2manyrocks · Aug 5, 2024

Philippines Travel Advisory

travel.state.gov

For comparison, look at UK travel advisory map. Some areas are a no travel. Philippines travel advice

Both the US and the UK are saying there are places where not to expect a rescue.

dmccarty · Aug 7, 2024

gsganzer said:
Philippines Travel Advisory

travel.state.gov

For comparison, look at UK travel advisory map. Some areas are a no travel. Philippines travel advice

Both the US and the UK are saying there are places where not to expect a rescue.

The map is showing the most dangerous areas are in the eastern part of Mindanao, which is where much of the violence, including against westerners, was taking place.

2manyrocks · Aug 7, 2024

It's one thing when they use loose-goosey warnings, but seems pretty clear when they draw a map in red ink saying "don't go there and don't expect us to rescue you."

ultrarunner · Aug 26, 2024

Was ticketed to fly out 12 hours ago SFO destination Davao.

Received a text relaying information from a friend in the Philippine National Police force saying not a good time to come as 2000 police mobilized and clashing with protestors at my destination with injuries.

Press release PAL and Cebu Pacific offering rebooking and refunds but I’m not holding my breath.

It’s a corner of the world I was looking forward to visiting but it’s no longer a pleasure trip if there is civil unrest…

Worst case is I made a contribution to the Philippine economy.

Best case I dodged a bullet metaphorically.

On a side note just about everyone in my circle flying is coming home sick… 2 were hospitalized in country… one Costa Rica and the other Greece.

California · Aug 29, 2024

Update?

ultrarunner · Aug 29, 2024

California said:
Update?

Philippine Airlines sent me email offering to rebook second leg and apologizing for delay.

I purchased a one stop through airfare from PAL and their position is there was no problem on first leg SF to Manila except I declined to board.

The second leg was delayed to the point the flight left Manila 6 hours delayed and then returned because of the situation in Davao did not permit landing.

Flight made a second attempt and did reach Davao

My RN friend and her family opted to go and reached destination... plane was nearly empty.

They navigated their way through the field of protesters and closed roads and 33 hours from SF reached the farm on Mindanao.

The protestors created the chaos but they never felt threatened and cleared multiple police checkpoints quickly.

For a vacation it just seemed to iffy to me... my first vacation without a work component since 2001 so naturally disappointed.

I called credit card to contest but said I first need to go through airline...

Airline did nothing wrong and had I proceeded they would have delivered me somewhere... not sure what recourse I really have for my $920 airfare?

Using my time off to turn over a rental... paint, deep clean, floor coverings, etc...

gsganzer · Aug 29, 2024

ultrarunner said:
Philippine Airlines sent me email offering to rebook second leg and apologizing for delay.

I purchased a one stop through airfare from PAL and their position is there was no problem on first leg SF to Manila except I declined to board.

The second leg was delayed to the point the flight left Manila 6 hours delayed and then returned because of the situation in Davao did not permit landing.

Flight made a second attempt and did reach Davao

My RN friend and her family opted to go and reached destination... plane was nearly empty.

They navigated their way through the field of protesters and closed roads and 33 hours from SF reached the farm on Mindanao.

The protestors created the chaos but they never felt threatened and cleared multiple police checkpoints quickly.

For a vacation it just seemed to iffy to me... my first vacation without a work component since 2001 so naturally disappointed.

I called credit card to contest but said I first need to go through airline...

Airline did nothing wrong and had I proceeded they would have delivered me somewhere... not sure what recourse I really have for my $920 airfare?

Using my time off to turn over a rental... paint, deep clean, floor coverings, etc...

Sorry that your trip had to be canceled, but it sounds like you did the right thing. Sometimes we take a chance on adventure and have to pull up at the last minute.

California · Aug 30, 2024

ultrarunner said:
My RN friend and her family opted to go and reached destination... plane was nearly empty.

They navigated their way through the field of protesters and closed roads and 33 hours from SF reached the farm on Mindanao.

The protestors created the chaos but they never felt threatened and cleared multiple police checkpoints quickly.

Bummer, but you made the right call.

As an American you might have become the token hostage.

ultrarunner · Aug 30, 2024

California said:
Bummer, but you made the right call.

As an American you might have become the token hostage.

It has and does happen... too bad the airline sees the situation as a temporary disruption of service taking a refund off the table.

One thing is certain and that is no way for me to blend in being head and shoulders above everyone in height.

If I had a compelling reason to go I'm sure my decision would have been different.

I come from a time when the hospital did not have a single employee with ties to the Philippines and safe bet to say staff with ties to the Philippines now make up about half of my coworkers.

As an aside last Thursday I was summoned to the office of our premier orthopedic surgeon thinking it's urgent...

He said I heard you are going to the Philippines and said don't do it... you have no idea what trouble you can get into.

When I said I was going with our charge nurse and her family he said ok... that is a little bit different but be very careful with food and drink and don't come back married!

NoTrespassing · Aug 30, 2024

ultrarunner said:
It has and does happen... too bad the airline sees the situation as a temporary disruption of service taking a refund off the table.

One thing is certain and that is no way for me to blend in being head and shoulders above everyone in height.

If I had a compelling reason to go I'm sure my decision would have been different.

I come from a time when the hospital did not have a single employee with ties to the Philippines and safe bet to say staff with ties to the Philippines now make up about half of my coworkers.

As an aside last Thursday I was summoned to the office of our premier orthopedic surgeon thinking it's urgent...

He said I heard you are going to the Philippines and said don't do it... you have no idea what trouble you can get into.

When I said I was going with our charge nurse and her family he said ok... that is a little bit different but be very careful with food and drink and don't come back married!