On Board an Emirates Plane

Remember that article "From Boracay to Greece"? I can't help but post a reaction to that because mine is an entirely different meaningful experience...

I had been fortunate to be sent to a seminar in France in December 2006. My husband Dino decided to come with me and since we do not have the financial luxury, we decided to get the cheapest and most affordable airline. Our travel agent got us Emirates economy class tickets.

The author, in her article, portrayed our Overseas Filipino Workers as a noisy and excited lot, almost without breeding. To this, I STRONGLY disagree..

The line at the counter of Emirates at the NAIA International Airport is rather very long compared with the other airlines. This can be attributed to the fact that Emirates has captured the market with its reasonable rates and that Dubai is also a destination hub of many.

The drawback for the cheap airline tickets would be the long lines. Some tourists, even I and my husband, complain and are impatient for these long queues. However, we have noticed that there are people, like the OFWs, who wait patiently in line, probably almost wishing that their turn to to reach the counter won't come. Who will be excited to leave their families behind for months and years? Obviously, the OFWs are not too eager and excited to leave as if going into some sort of excursion unlike some tourists in the line. I have not heard anyone queasingly ask the other passengers the question "domestic helper ka rin ba?". Almost everyone, except maybe the likes of the author, are plainly quiet and in a meditative mood. Some look tired; others seem nervous or melancholic. The atmosphere is not festive despite the holiday season. Is this due to the fact that the OFWs are too reluctant to leave and terribly missing their families already? That they are afraid of what will become of them in a foreign land and worried about their children and families? That they are worrying about how they can pay the loans incurred for the placement fees?

When we are about to reach the counter, I saw one passenger holding an unopened "skyflakes" and mineral water. He was told that he cannot bring the "skyflakes" and mineral water inside the waiting area. The man had to throw his "baon" in a nearby trashcan. I thought, what if he hasn't taken his breakfast yet and doesn't have enough money to buy food inside? My husband noticed the same and he said to me, "Gutom na rin ako, sana hindi mahal ang pagkain sa loob."

And so the time has come for us to board the plane. I find the legroom of seats in the plane comfy for an economy class. It is not possible to have bruises in one's legs unless one has a habit of wriggling around. There is the initial inconvenience when people put their handcarry baggages on the overhead bin which is usual for many types of planes. However, contrary to what the author had claimed, there were no complaints about those in the economy class carrying overweight handcarry baggages. (For if they do carry them, these won't be allowed in the plane at all.) The attendants in the Emirates plane are well-bred enough not to treat their passengers like boisterous children in a schoolbus. They treat their passengers in the economy class with respect and cordiality, possibly in the same manner they are treating those in the first-class seats. Again, I have not noticed the passengers, particularly anyone saying, "Hoy, kumusta ka na? At taga saan ka? Domestic Helper ka rin ba?" I've heard some people talking to each other though, about the places they've been to, like "Have you been to Greece? Spain? Where else? Oh, this place is great, they have this and that! etcetera, etcetera.." It's a good thing the plane has ear muffs, one can just easily shut off these people from one's world.

The meals on board the plane are sumptuous, complete and well-presented. Emirates offers wine even for those in the economy class. The utensils are genuinely made of silver. The pillows and blankets are brand new and disposable. The entertainment system is superb. I was able to watch two full-length classic movies while Dino watched several Hollywood action adventures.

After my seminar, we also took the Emirates plane going back to Manila. We had the same experience, except that, in the waiting area, I can see signs of joy and excitement in the faces of our fellow Filipinos. It is nearing Christmas, and just like them, we are excited to be united with our families. Home sweet home at last!

While waiting to get out of the plane, I heard a "tourist" with unknown accent blurt out "It's been a long time I left the country". "I can't believe I am back. I hate the traffic, the pollution, and the weather. If not for this reunion, I wouldn't have come back." His companion said, "Is that so? You should not have come back. You are better off there.." and WE ARE BETTER OFF HERE WITHOUT YOU, I very much wanted to addOver all, except for the long lines prior to boarding, our ride on board an Emirates plane with OUR FELLOW FILIPINOS is worthwhile and satisfying. Our experience in Europe as tourists is something else. But that's another story. One thing is sure, I still prefer touring the Philippines. And so does my husband.