I’d like to bounce some thoughts around

[StraightShooter 62]

1. My fiancée lives on Mindanao and flying her and her son round trip from Davao to Manila twice could be wasteful and stressful.

We discussed having her just rent an apartelle in Manila for a month rather than making the trip two times. The idea being that she go to the medical, CFO and interview, then have the visas delivered locally. After that, get the CFO sticker and book the flight to the US. We both think it would be a good option to consider if she would be there just one month or so because it could actually cost less than staying in a hotel for a week. And there would be no extra roundtrip flight.

However! More than 5 years ago, both my fiancée and her son may have been exposed to TB from an uncle with whom they were living at the time. The child was an infant then. Neither of them ever had any symptoms. My fiancée actually had a chest x-ray done in 2008 and was cleared at that time. The specter of a sputum test and subsequent 2 month delay concerns us. A buddy of mine is a nurse here in the US and says that unless they’re showing symptoms of active TB, that no sputum test would normally be administered. But, that’s here, not there. (We know about the latent TB treatment that they would undergo once here.)

Thoughts on this situation? Likelihood of a sputum test being required? Should we go ahead and rent the apartelle or just have her return to Mindanao? Renting for 2 or 3 months is out of the question.

2. Another thing that I realized yesterday is the exorbitant domestic baggage fees which we may run into when she leaves for the US.

As an example, on Korean Air for the international leg, each of them could have 2 checked bags up to 50 pounds each, plus 2 carryon bags, one of each could be up to 25 pounds. Plus each of them could have a lighter carryon, about the size of a laptop. So… 4 checked bags totaling 200 pounds, 2 carryon bags totaling 50 pounds plus 2 smaller, lighter carryon bags. The total of all 8 bags could be nearly 300 pounds of luggage. Great! Room for everything.

But when I was checking Cebu Pacific Air on their website, I couldn’t find details about their checked baggage policy. So, my fiancée called them and learned that the two of them can each check only 1 bag weighing 15kg each at a cost of 158PHP PLUS 158PHP per kilo after that!. They could also each have one small carryon. Not good!

Anyone know of other airline policies and costs for domestic baggage? Other options? Recommendations?

[ruseter 4]

hi im from davao too.. the thing we did is we rent a condo then do all the things that needs to be done.. and will just going to wait for the visa delivered in the condo.. less pain in the wallet on traveling back and forth to davao

[StraightShooter 62]

hi im from davao too.. the thing we did is we rent a condo then do all the things that needs to be done.. and will just going to wait for the visa delivered in the condo.. less pain in the wallet on traveling back and forth to davao

Yes, that's what we want to do as well, but we don't know if she'll have to undergo the sputum test and 2 month wait.

[ruseter 4]

try to let her do the xray before going to medical in slec... if she had history of tb it'll be visible coz scar will be present during xray.. we will pray that it'll be negative

[StraightShooter 62]

try to let her do the xray before going to medical in slec... if she had history of tb it'll be visible coz scar will be present during xray.. we will pray that it'll be negative

We talked about that as well, but from what I've read here on VJ, the x-ray equipment at SLEC has better resolution than the equipment that she would have access to, so having it done locally really adds nothing.

[ruseter 4]

well there are other reputable hospitals here in PI like ASIAN HOSPITAl, Makati med and etc..

[thinkerlove0212 158]

well there are other reputable hospitals here in PI like ASIAN HOSPITAl, Makati med and etc..

Cebu and all the domestics have very cheap fares but dont give you much weight for bags and charges are substantial. My biggest complaint is they ask you to prepay for checked bags small, medium or large up to a specific weight. You guess and do quick math in head or phone kilos to lbs. Then they weigh bags at check in, if over you pay again. Then they weigh your carry -on when you go to gate. Staying in Manila sounds reasonable as long as everyone is prepared to stay and then leave without going back home . As immigrants to Ellis island long before our time and as Neil Diamond says ".....we're travelling light today..." All airlines have been able to offer cheaper fares but get you on the bags....have you seen the amount of carry-ons and what people bring on board and everyone rushes the plane to get on board?

[che234 1]

Hey here is my advice. Like in your case i'm also from mindanao and when i had my medical , interview and CFO counseling is a lot of stress for me since i'm not from metro manila. I need to use an airplane so i can transport going to manila from my place.

What i did is the first time i went there for my medical , i check in to Soriente hotel which is just next block from St.lukes. I was there for 5 days because i need to attend CFO Counseling in advance. Their rate is 1,600/night with out breakfast so that is a bit expensive. My medical was successful but my CFO counseling fails. I didn't bring enough documents with me when i went there so they didn't give me the yellow certificate and told me to come back when i have the docs on the check list they provided.

After a week , i went back to manila again and have my interview. This time i didn't check in to a hotel.

I rented an fully furnished apartment in Bacoor , Cavite which is just 750/day.

The room was great! I love the staff they are so friendly. Also the kitchen wares are complete , they have flat screen tv , air condition room , oven , microwave , plates etc. I stayed there for 6 nights and 7 days. Since i don't like being alone i invited a friend of mine to stay with me so i will have a company while doing the process. I had a grocery which cost 1,400 for the whole weeks and it save me a lot of money than check in to a hotel room. I don't need to pay more for our meal since there is a kitchen available inside the apartment we can cook whatever food we want to cook for our meal. Bacoor, Cavite is not that far from Manila Embassy , when i had my interview i woke up almost 3 am and wait for a Pasay / Lawton Bus for about 1-10 minutes. After that i dropped at the said place and use a taxi upon going to Manila Embassy . The bus fee is just 25 pesos one way and the taxi cost me 120 so i had all fees for 145 that is not bad

After i got approved i went to Taft Avenue by taxi and there i successfully got my certificate after a couple of interview.

SPUTUM test is the most frustrated step while undergoing medical , its a lot of waiting . 2-8 weeks of waiting for the result that is about 2 months and if you are possitive you have to stay in Manila for medication more or less 6 months if i'm not mistaken.

Domestic airline is a lot of stress. The best thing you can do about this is when you make a booking then you have to include an additional fee for check in bags. When we made the booking for my flight , we choose to add an additional luggage allowance for 30 kilos since i will be carrying 2 large luggage , it cost us 700 to pay for the 30 kilos. I advice you to do the same because if you will not do this then you have to pay 150/kilo upon check in at the airport going to Manila. 700 fee is for Cebupacific and as far as i can remember. Phil Express is almost 1,000 for 30 kilos i'm not just sure. Check the details on the net or you may call them to their hotline. I am sure that both of their luggage won't exceed 30 kilos right? So that option will do! Goodluck!

Edited March 16, 2012 by timchen

[mave1104 1]

Hey here is my advice. Like in your case i'm also from mindanao and when i had my medical , interview and CFO counseling is a lot of stress for me since i'm not from metro manila. I need to use an airplane so i can transport going to manila from my place.

What i did is the first time i went there for my medical , i check in to Soriente hotel which is just next block from St.lukes. I was there for 5 days because i need to attend CFO Counseling in advance. Their rate is 1,600/night with out breakfast so that is a bit expensive. My medical was successful but my CFO counseling fails. I didn't bring enough documents with me when i went there so they didn't give me the yellow certificate and told me to come back when i have the docs on the check list they provided.

After a week , i went back to manila again and have my interview. This time i didn't check in to a hotel.

I rented an fully furnished apartment in Bacoor , Cavite which is just 750/day.

The room was great! I love the staff they are so friendly. Also the kitchen wares are complete , they have flat screen tv , air condition room , oven , microwave , plates etc. I stayed there for 6 nights and 7 days. Since i don't like being alone i invited a friend of mine to stay with me so i will have a company while doing the process. I had a grocery which cost 1,400 for the whole weeks and it save me a lot of money than check in to a hotel room. I don't need to pay more for our meal since there is a kitchen available inside the apartment we can cook whatever food we want to cook for our meal. Bacoor, Cavite is not that far from Manila Embassy , when i had my interview i woke up almost 3 am and wait for a Pasay / Lawton Bus for about 1-10 minutes. After that i dropped at the said place and use a taxi upon going to Manila Embassy . The bus fee is just 25 pesos one way and the taxi cost me 120 so i had all fees for 145 that is not bad

After i got approved i went to Taft Avenue by taxi and there i successfully got my certificate after a couple of interview.

SPUTUM test is the most frustrated step while undergoing medical , its a lot of waiting . 2-8 weeks of waiting for the result that is about 2 months and if you are possitive you have to stay in Manila for medication more or less 6 months if i'm not mistaken.

Domestic airline is a lot of stress. The best thing you can do about this is when you make a booking then you have to include an additional fee for check in bags. When we made the booking for my flight , we choose to add an additional luggage allowance for 30 kilos since i will be carrying 2 large luggage , it cost us 700 to pay for the 30 kilos. I advice you to do the same because if you will not do this then you have to pay 150/kilo upon check in at the airport going to Manila. 700 fee is for Cebupacific and as far as i can remember. Phil Express is almost 1,000 for 30 kilos i'm not just sure. Check the details on the net or you may call them to their hotline. I am sure that both of their luggage won't exceed 30 kilos right? So that option will do! Goodluck!

[mave1104 1]

Hey here is my advice. Like in your case i'm also from mindanao and when i had my medical , interview and CFO counseling is a lot of stress for me since i'm not from metro manila. I need to use an airplane so i can transport going to manila from my place.

What i did is the first time i went there for my medical , i check in to Soriente hotel which is just next block from St.lukes. I was there for 5 days because i need to attend CFO Counseling in advance. Their rate is 1,600/night with out breakfast so that is a bit expensive. My medical was successful but my CFO counseling fails. I didn't bring enough documents with me when i went there so they didn't give me the yellow certificate and told me to come back when i have the docs on the check list they provided.

After a week , i went back to manila again and have my interview. This time i didn't check in to a hotel.

I rented an fully furnished apartment in Bacoor , Cavite which is just 750/day.

The room was great! I love the staff they are so friendly. Also the kitchen wares are complete , they have flat screen tv , air condition room , oven , microwave , plates etc. I stayed there for 6 nights and 7 days. Since i don't like being alone i invited a friend of mine to stay with me so i will have a company while doing the process. I had a grocery which cost 1,400 for the whole weeks and it save me a lot of money than check in to a hotel room. I don't need to pay more for our meal since there is a kitchen available inside the apartment we can cook whatever food we want to cook for our meal. Bacoor, Cavite is not that far from Manila Embassy , when i had my interview i woke up almost 3 am and wait for a Pasay / Lawton Bus for about 1-10 minutes. After that i dropped at the said place and use a taxi upon going to Manila Embassy . The bus fee is just 25 pesos one way and the taxi cost me 120 so i had all fees for 145 that is not bad

After i got approved i went to Taft Avenue by taxi and there i successfully got my certificate after a couple of interview.

SPUTUM test is the most frustrated step while undergoing medical , its a lot of waiting . 2-8 weeks of waiting for the result that is about 2 months and if you are possitive you have to stay in Manila for medication more or less 6 months if i'm not mistaken.

Domestic airline is a lot of stress. The best thing you can do about this is when you make a booking then you have to include an additional fee for check in bags. When we made the booking for my flight , we choose to add an additional luggage allowance for 30 kilos since i will be carrying 2 large luggage , it cost us 700 to pay for the 30 kilos. I advice you to do the same because if you will not do this then you have to pay 150/kilo upon check in at the airport going to Manila. 700 fee is for Cebupacific and as far as i can remember. Phil Express is almost 1,000 for 30 kilos i'm not just sure. Check the details on the net or you may call them to their hotline. I am sure that both of their luggage won't exceed 30 kilos right? So that option will do! Goodluck!

what is the Approximate time for medical and interview plus the CFO?... I have an aunt in makati which is just 6K away from the US embassy so I would be stayin' in her place during the interview process but airplane ticket still cost alot nowadays.. There is an apartelle which is very cheap located in MANILA AVENUE which is also not far from the embassy.. I forgot the name but you could find alot of cheap apartelles there that would be hassle free from travellin' so it would all just be near from St. Lukes, US embassy and for the CFO counseling and it's also complete from the kitchenwares,livin room etc. I tried once there before when Me and my aunt's family where asked to move temporary to some other place due to chemical destruction ... im also from mindanao..

[StraightShooter 62]

...I am sure that both of their luggage won't exceed 30 kilos right? So that option will do! Goodluck!

Well, the idea is to bring as much of their stuff as they can. Using the Korean Air baggage allowance as an example, they could bring nearly 300 pounds, which is about 135 kilos.

Leaving things behind isn't something that they really want to do. However, paying baggage fees on the domestic leg which exceed the replacement value of the items they bring isn't a good idea either. We're hoping to find a solution which will allow them to bring their belongings with them on the domestic portion of the trip without costing as much or more as the replacement value.

[actob99 156]

Baggage Fee's. " It is what it is" Prepay the most possible and cover the rest when you arrive for the domestic flight. They will not deviate on any fee's for baggage. The other option is by boat which I hear is a pretty decent ride for pretty cheap. Living area, food, bar bring what you want.ect.. 2 day trip and heard people enjoy it, just not for me....

Im sure things can be left behind that can be replaced in the states as well. It's a balancing act. I go to the Phils every month for 6-11 days depending, and I bring a small carry-on and a backpack. I have learned to adjust.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

2. Another thing that I realized yesterday is the exorbitant domestic baggage fees which we may run into when she leaves for the US.

As an example, on Korean Air for the international leg, each of them could have 2 checked bags up to 50 pounds each, plus 2 carryon bags, one of each could be up to 25 pounds. Plus each of them could have a lighter carryon, about the size of a laptop. So… 4 checked bags totaling 200 pounds, 2 carryon bags totaling 50 pounds plus 2 smaller, lighter carryon bags. The total of all 8 bags could be nearly 300 pounds of luggage. Great! Room for everything.

But when I was checking Cebu Pacific Air on their website, I couldn’t find details about their checked baggage policy. So, my fiancée called them and learned that the two of them can each check only 1 bag weighing 15kg each at a cost of 158PHP PLUS 158PHP per kilo after that!. They could also each have one small carryon. Not good!

Anyone know of other airline policies and costs for domestic baggage? Other options? Recommendations?

You said 300 pounds of luggage. There are 2.2lbs to a kg. So that's 136kgs. Round figures 140kgs. You said it's 15kgs per person. So that takes 30kgs out of the equation (they also get a carry on but I'll ignore that). Then you're left with 110kgs at 158PHP per kg for a total of 17380PHP or USD$400. OUCH! Have you looked at mailing costs?

[StraightShooter 62]

Baggage Fee's. " It is what it is" Prepay the most possible and cover the rest when you arrive for the domestic flight. They will not deviate on any fee's for baggage. The other option is by boat which I hear is a pretty decent ride for pretty cheap. Living area, food, bar bring what you want.ect.. 2 day trip and heard people enjoy it, just not for me....

Im sure things can be left behind that can be replaced in the states as well. It's a balancing act. I go to the Phils every month for 6-11 days depending, and I bring a small carry-on and a backpack. I have learned to adjust.

Going to the RP every month for a week or so isn't the same thing as moving an entire life one way to the US. Adjusting and traveling light isn't really what we're discussing. Sacrificing is the correct term. If we can't find a better or cheaper way, then something has to be left behind.

When I flew there, I had one carryon bag for my 2 week stay. But I certainly didn't bring everything that I own with me in that bag, nor would it have been possible to do so. The same applies to my fiancee and her son. They can't fit their entire lives into a carryon and a backpack.

We aren't looking for deviations to Cebu Pacific's fees, we're asking if other folks know of an airline that services that route and has lower baggage fees.

[StraightShooter 62]

You said 300 pounds of luggage. There are 2.2lbs to a kg. So that's 136kgs. Round figures 140kgs. You said it's 15kgs per person. So that takes 30kgs out of the equation (they also get a carry on but I'll ignore that). Then you're left with 110kgs at 158PHP per kg for a total of 17380PHP or USD$400. OUCH! Have you looked at mailing costs?

Yep, $400 baggage fee for a one-way 600 mile domestic flight! Ouch is the word for sure. We haven't checked into mailing costs or the boat ride option yet.