mpiotrow

Hello, I just recently did a mileage run from DEN-MNL and back with a 75 min turn in MNL. When I arrived in MNL, there was an agent waiting at the plane with my name on it, instructing me to go contact her coworker at the top of the ramp. I did so, and they took me through the glass doors (rather than having to go through customs/immigration, etc) and I was then out in the gate area, after having gone through a metal detector, and my carry-on going through the x-ray machine (I had no checked bags, of course). They took my passport over to a computer and did something with it, but I did not get a passport stamp (even though I asked for one...haha). After this, I was asked if I wanted to visit the lounge, so I said yes and an agent escorted me up there so that I knew where to go, I stayed there for a bit (had a much needed shower), and then proceeded back to my gate to board the plane. So, I have a few questions...

1. Was the security that I went through (twice, because I had to go through it again after coming back from the lounge) just additional security for traveling back to the US (GUM)?
2. What was the passport check that they did? Was that again just part of the check to get back to the US? Or was that somehow logging me into the system so that they would have a record of me coming into the country at that time?
3. What was to stop me from just leaving the airport at that time after leaving the lounge rather than just going to my gate? I had not gone through any sort of official customs/immigration check, so I'm just confused by this stage. I had no interest in leaving the airport and abandoning my return flight, but what's to stop someone else from booking the same flights I did, going through the process I did, and then just heading out into the city?

Just curious to see if anyone has any personal experience having been through the same flight and can offer up some additional information. Thanks!

pushmyredbutton

1. Yes, the GUM flights at MNL have extra security set up at the gate, which is quite intrusive.

2. Probably to check you in manually? Assuming you weren't checked in previously. Or just to verify your travel documents as you were on an Int'l flight and they needed to make sure you had the right to travel to the USA

3. At airports that have both entry and exit immigration, you simply cannot do this easily. Once you're in the departure area, it's very very difficult to just walk out, unlike the USA, where Int'l departures are mixed with domestic. You technically could exit the airport, but you'd have to find someone to escort you to the arrivals level and then go through immigration like any other passenger.

mpiotrow

I didn't find it any different than any other non TSA PreCheck security checkpoint. Remove shoes, place in bin. Place 3-1-1 liquids in bin. Place laptop/tablet in bin. Pass bin into x-ray machine. Walk through metal detector. Pick up bin on other side. It all seemed just fine to me!

I was already checked in, so probably just to confirm travel documents, as you said.

Hmm, interesting. I guess I've never noticed this before in any airport I've been to, but I don't often (if ever?) had to leave the departure gate and exit the airport. So, if there's an emergency (fire, etc) and they have to evacuate these types of areas, do they just corral everyone there into some sort of secure area in order to process them through immigration? Again, just curious...seems like they must have some sort of system in place to handle that kind of thing if you're not allowed to just walk out of the airport.

Thanks for the explanation!

tcook052

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ght=turnaround

irelayer

That is quite the interesting question! I have never thought of that before. I suppose you just evacuate through the nearest door/exit just like any other situation.

This will probably dump you out onto the tarmac if you are out in the departure gate...so since the airport is a secured area, they'll probably just check your passport again and you'll be on your way. I doubt you'll ever find yourself in a situation where you'll be back INSIDE the country after you just left, but even then, I think in extenuating circumstances it's certainly an easy explanation (sorry, had to run out, there was a fire) when going back through exit immigration...

Also, just a general comment. The reason you were probably treated that way is that you had a very odd routing and they saw it, and had someone waiting for you so you wouldn't have to go through any hassle. The reason for this is probably that it's #1 very odd (and annoying!) to do international transits through MNL and #2 you were getting right back on the plane you just got off of...

I've found that most airline employees are familiar with the concept of mileage runs and will accommodate you so you accordingly since it's often a special situation.

Also, the most annoying thing about those GUM flights is that they take all of your bottled water and liquids away...so annoying if it's your first time (like it was for me) leaving from MNL on that particular route, and you just bought a coffee and some water for the stupid redeye. And in MNL in general the security LOVES to take your lighters away.

-IR

Antonio8069

Reading this thread, I suggest that hanging on to your lighter is the least challenge! (To save you the search, the poster suggests that security expects bribes!).

So did you visit the UA contract lounge in MNL? I spent 5 hours there last year, it is tiny but the food was good.

mpiotrow

Yes, I agree...it's a VERY tiny lounge! I did visit it, but having just had dinner on the flight from GUM, as well as knowing I'd be getting another dinner on the flight back to GUM, I didn't eat anything. Plus, my time was rather limited. I had just enough time to use the restroom, take a quick shower, attempt to dry off (it was hot/humid enough that I would start sweating again as fast as I could dry off...haha), and hop back on the plane again. I wish I'd had more time to check out the food situation! ^