Manila
 

I will fly Bangkok - Manila arriving in Manila at 19.30 then another flight to Koror at 21.45. I don't really wanna load my backpack but I don't wanna go through all troubles with liquid stuff. Is it possible to check through my backpack all the way from Bangkok to Koror? I will fly with Thai Airways to Manila and Continental to Koror. How strict are they in Manila when it comes to this whole liquid thing? I know I won't have any problem with toothpaste, creams and such flying out of Bangkok. If they're not so strict in Manila, I might as well just have my backpack with me.

I was just there and witnessed security being overly strict with the liquid restrictions. I also witnessed the security guard make a big deal of it and the passenger became very upset. The Police were called and while the man was being calmed down by the Police, the security people stole his Jewellery from the side pockets and placed the valuables in their pockets.

I witnessed this and informed another security guard who just laughed it off.

So you decide what you would do!

The official rule in Manila is no liquids at all through the security checkpoint. In practice, small quantities of well-concealed toiletries in plastic containers aren't generally found, but there is a risk that they will be and then they would be coniscated.

This is, of course, ludicrous, but think of the children!

That sucks. I guess I'll have to load my backpack after all. How long did it take you to go through immigration? I'm not sure if 2 hours will be enough for me to go through immigration, get my backpack and check in again.

I would not worry about your shampoo etc and just pack it. If they take it - of well! But do try and not check your bag in as the waiting to collect it will eat into your time. Immigration entering the Philippines is usually not that bad. If you can avoid the baggage handling then half of your battle is done.

I have never seen a transfer desk at Manila airport. I guess you do have to enter the country and recheck in again. If so, remember the airport departure tax.

Sounds like a pain to me. Are you sure there is no transfer desk for ongoing international flights?

They're very strict with liquids. One odd thing that they also confiscated from my carry-on was the roll of masking tape that I usually pack along for labeling. Less than a foot of tape was left in that roll and I was too tired to argue that it's not a banned item. I'll pack mailing labels next time. :)

They are strict in that they will confiscate if found, however I went through a few weeks ago with a rather large clear plastic bag full of various liquids (which complies with HK rules) in my hand baggage that I had forgotten about and Manila "security" missed it completely.

Something similar happened to me. We were flying from Manila to Caticlan via the domestic airport. We were forced to check a carry on because it had a bag of liquids that would pass anyplace else, but not in the fake security of a third world airport. In this bag was also some jewelry that we neglected to take out before handing the bag over. Needless to say it was stolen by the time the bag reached it's destination. Sadly, this seems to be their attitude. "Security" in those corrupt little countries will use their authority to steal from you whenever they have a chance. The fact that one piece of jewelry or a watch is probably greater than a month's salary for them. I guess this make the temptation too much. :td:

It isn't hard for me to believe that MNL security would never catch it if you just left it in your bag and say you "forgot" it. They aren't always that competent.