My first plane ride

       When I was still a freshman, way back 2013. When I first saw the curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) . My mind stops when I saw the subject Field Trip and Seminars. So I was wondering if this subject Field Trip and Seminar is just like the field trip when I was a kid in elementary days. And I get excited about it and asking my other classmates about it. Then we and my classmates decided to ask the higher years about it. They said that the Field trip and Seminars will be conducted in the Manila. And I was excited because if you go to Manila, the only fast way to go there is to ride an airplane from Davao City to Manila. Then years passed by, and now I'm taking up this subject Field Trip and Seminar and this is my second and first flight outside Mindanao. In such a way that I ride on an airplane once when I was still a baby, I can't remember a thing, and this is my first time to ride an airplane with knowledge where I can remember this big event of my life. And I was excited for some seminars in Manila where my skills and capabilities will be enhanced. Flying for the first time as an adult can be nervous and exciting. And it is hard to know what I'm expecting outcome from it, and even the small problems we will encounter will be stressful and challenging.

I must remain calm and always be prepared, and I expect many outcomes of this trip, because this is my first flight outside Mindanao to learn more about my course and to go to different big companies around Manila. I must relax and wait until that day come. I asked people, who always ride an airplane and their experiences and what to do, and they tell me also their first time in riding an airplane, they said it was fun and exciting. With their stories I have somewhat know what is an airplane. I admit that I am excited of the said activity, not only on myself but also to my classmate that would also join the trip. One of the most amazing part is the fact that we are going to Manila as our major field trip and I and my classmate will ride a plane

The most important thing inside an airport is the best security they have at the airport because every hour many people come to check in and out and many airplanes go depart and land, so it is expected that your luggage will be thoroughly checked before coming in as well as you who will be boarding in to avoid issues regards to your flight. They said that everyone will pass through an X-ray & your luggage too. To check if you have an items or things that is prohibited to bring to the other cities and countries, especially inside an airplane. They said also that you have to remove your shoes, belt, keys, coins inside your pocket and mobile phones and tablets are being placed in a small basin & it will pass also through an X-ray. If the airport security finds no problem then you’re in, however if the security detects something different like sharp objects or guns in your luggage then you will face many guards and arrest you. Then after that you will be waiting at the gate specified in your boarding pass & wait until the gate opens for boarding. They also said that take sure to empty your bladder before boarding and I don’t know why and what is the reason about it. People must listen carefully to the announcement inside the airport especially when you are boarding because it is the common problem to the people who is first timer to board an airplane and sometimes without knowing the airplane you must take left you behind. And of course I would listen carefully to the announcement so that I would not be unacknowledged on the things to do inside the airplane. 

My friends always said to come to the airport early so that you won’t be cramming around if you are late and your plane already take off. For domestic flights you are expected to come 2 hours before your flight & for international flights, you are expected to come 4 hours before your scheduled flight. And the president of our subject Field Trip and Seminars, that our flight must be too early, because we are expected to attend a seminar at exactly 7 or 8 am in the morning, and we are expected to come to the airport at 2 or 3 am. To avoid paying excess baggage, make sure that you will bring only the exact weight allowed by your airline. Avoid bringing items that are not allowed in the airport so that you will have a comfortable flight ahead. And make sure that you bring the important things just like for an examples, we are required to bring formal attires to visit big companies. And of course before going out in my house I will assure that I will bring nothing that can harm me, so that I would not be a burden to others. And I’ll assure that I would not be late because the plane would not wait for you. Thus, I must be in time, or much better that I would be more advance in going to the airport. 

I hope that my first flight experience will be exciting and fun, and also I am well prepared for the incoming seminars I am going too. They said that expect to experience dry skin and swollen feet when you’re on a plane. This is due to the low cabin pressure which can lead to water retention, which in turn can cause your feet to swell. But I am not scared with it, because it is just a small problem to worry. And I laughed that they said that to prevent it, is to buy in-flight socks, which provide an even pressure distribution to prevent swelling around the ankle. Well, I don’t have time for that some things to buy and wear. I must be focused on the things I must do in order to learn new great ideas and become successful in life. And I expect that I will not become dizzy when riding a plane, because I didn't know the situation inside a plane yet, but I become dizzy anywhere when I have headaches or I am not feeling well.

I expect that the take-off and landing of the plane will probably be the most exciting and scariest parts, because like in the movies, when the plane first accelerates, the cabin slightly shakes, and you’re pushed back into your seat by the force. It is just like breath taking experience. And when you land, the reverse happens when they put on the brakes after the plane touches down- you’re forced forward in your seat. And also thanks to the seat belt so that your head and your body will not be shaky.

The flight and boarding a plane itself is relaxing and exciting. Be sure to have a headset so that you can listen to your playlist in your phone. It will help you to become calm and think peacefully while the plane is ready to land.Always listen to the flight attendants telling you about the safety precautions inside the plane and follow their rules just like for an example, that you must turned off all your mobile phones, tablets, gadgets, and laptops, so that it will not interrupt the signal from the pilot to the communication area in an airport to avoid crash and you don't die and check your nearest emergency exits. It is nice to know where they are, so that you are prepared if something bad happens.  If you seat near the emergency exit then you are tasked to be the lead person in case emergency happens, but if you think you can’t handle the task you don’t have to worry because you will not be forced to do so. Large passenger planes are very steady after takeoff. You’ll be able to get up from your seat and walk in the aisle without wobbling. It is not like a bus that if you walk while the bus is moving, you will get dizzy and sometimes hard to walk because of the reverse of gravity, so in that sense it’s even more comfortable than riding a bus or a train. If the seat belt sign comes back on during a flight, it’s usually because the pilot anticipates turbulence. Although turbulence is scary, it’s rarely dangerous. Look out the window and toward the plane wings during turbulence, since the vibrations seem a lot stronger inside the cabin than they really are. There are free pillows, blankets and neck pillows were common amenities, but domestic flights don’t usually offer these things as flights don’t take a long time. It is very costly because are government can't afford such amenities.

When boarding an airplane, my friends said that the food they offered inside has a reputation for being bland or just plain bad. And it is very expensive, so the best option is to wait until you land to your destination. This is often true, my friends tell me to bring a sandwich or other snacks with you, because for sure it will be a long ride for just an hour. If you have special dietary needs, such as being a vegetarian you can call the airline in advance to see if it can accommodate you. The staffs will not be mad at you if you asked them to do so. Most airlines will stock a vegetarian dish upon request. This is applicable for long flights if you go to other country and changing time zones. But for domestic flights there are airlines who don’t offer snacks/meals for free because it’s for sale.  However, other people said that PAL domestic flights offer food for free to passengers.

And also with the help of the flight attendants inside the plane, they entertain you with your travel, so that your flight will not be boring. Some flight attendants sing or dance so that the passengers will be happy and their flight will not be boring. During landing, you will be instructed to fasten your seat belt and be ready, and make sure that your mobile phones and other tables or gadgets is turned off or go to airplane mode so that it will not interrupt the connection from the pilot and to the airport. And after that make sure you didn't leave a thing in your seat and check if you get all your things inside the plane. And then, you have to claim for your luggage in the conveyor designed for your flight. Make sure you got the correct luggage or else you get the wrong luggage.

Travelling across the world via an airplane is exciting because you can go to the other country and experience new things and see new kinds of surroundings and at the same time you can visit the wonderful places in the world. The more flights you’ve got the more it is fun, because you can go to different airports and compare it to the other one, and taking a flight is just comfortable for you just like you're riding a taxi or a jeepney in Davao City. Just follow the instructions and rules inside an airport so that security guards won’t doubt and arrest you. You can also sleep while having a flight, and sleep peacefully and comfortable, and dream as you living in heaven. Riding a plane with your friends would such be a great experience. It is indeed a historical event in my life, and I know that I would never forget this. I expect that I would learn a lot from the trip. I expected that I would develop my skills.