Oh, f$&@ Queues!

I'm currently in transit right now and flying back to the US. I've had to travel back to the Philippines because of a family emergency. Anyway, I'm still fuming over all the lines i had to go through just to get to the gate. It's lines everywhere. In addition to the usual check in and immigration 'pila' (lines) to , one also has to get in line to pay for travel tax -- which is unique to the Philippines I'm told. Why nobody's suggested to build the tax payment into the ticket price or have passengers pay for it during check in is anyone's guess. They aren't kidding when they say to show up at the airport three hours before check-in. My thesis is that this inefficiency creates jobs so airport administration just lets it be. Either that or they're just plain stupid. I'm leaning towards the former. Nobody's that stupid or dense.

I have to say though that despite and because of these inefficiencies, the airport staff has created quick fixes to work around delays. Today, staff escorted us stragglers through immigration by opening a new counter. In a way, that is the typical Pinoy's redeeming quality -- he always finds ways to make do with the hand he's dealt with. It's terribly inefficient though and it penalizes weary travelers unnecessarily.

Still, I shouldn't be complaining. In a few days, I'll be attending the Consumer Electronics Show. When you get 140,000 people converging in one city, you get, you guessed it, more lines. Cab lines, restaurant lines, airport lines. Fun times.

Wet Market in Quezon City

Narita Airport -- no lines