We can learn much about US air carriers

Houston, Texas — While I'm here in the United States, I got the news that my cousin, Mr. Rosendo "Nonoy" Dizon (he was also called Rocky by his old friends) passed away last March 14 in New Jersey. His remains will be brought to Cebu today and will lie at the Cosmopolitan in Nivel Hills. Burial will be on Sunday.

Nonoy was like a big brother to us, we looked up to him especially during our ROTC days as he joined the Army after school. He worked as a salesman for San Miguel Corp. until he retired and went to live with his children in New Jersey. He succumbed to a rare kind of cancer. My family's heartfelt condolences to his wife Lourdes and his children, Pinky, Cathy, Debbie, Rosendo Jr. and Patricia. It is a great comfort to us that Nonoy is now in a better place. May we ask the pious reader to please pray for the repose of his soul.

* * *

As of this time, we're down in Houston, Texas as guests of my childhood best friend Mr. Tony and Dora Rizarri at the plush Olde Oaks subdivision. Houston is a two and a half hour plane ride from Las Vegas. We took a Continental Airlines flight and it always amazes me how this airline company tries to excel. For instance, its E-Ticketing is so convenient - you just put your E-ticket on the machine and for as long as you follow its instructions, you can get your boarding ticket without talking to anyone on the airline counter. Then all you need to do is go to the counter to tag and leave your luggage. It's that simple and convenient.

If I know Continental Airlines that well, that's because a few years ago, I was invited to join an international presscon for Continental at its headquarters here in Houston where some 70 journalists worldwide were in attendance. ABS-CBN's Gigi Grande was the only other from the Pinoy media who was with us. It was then that I met Continental's CEO Mr. Gordon Bethune who turned Continental from America's worst airline to one of the best in the USA today. Reading the in-flight magazine, apparently Mr. Gordon Bethune has retired and Mr. Larry Kellner whom I also met a few years back is now Continental's top dog.

Incidentally, I notice something about US Airlines, which is certainly of interest to our readers who fly every now and then. Upon landing, the pilot immediately gives his usual announcements about the details of their flight and then says, "You may now operate your cellphones and other electronic devices like Ipods." They make this announcements while the aircraft is still barreling in the runway slowing down to a crawl. Mind you, it is not only Continental Airlines doing this, I also heard the same report when we took America West from LAX to Vegas.

But in the Philippines, all airlines do not allow the use of cellphones until the aircraft has completely stopped and the plane doors are opened. Why is it like that? Who makes this decision for the airlines? Doesn't this fellow understand that the reason why cellphones are not allowed during flight is because it may possibly interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigations systems? Well, all that is not a problem anymore when the aircraft is on the ground. Perhaps my good friend Air Transportation Office (ATO) Chief Nilo Jatico should look into this?

* * *

Because we're in Houston, the two sons to Tony Rizarri, Gilbert and Bobby, came home just to be with me and my daughter Katrina. A couple of years ago, the last time I was in Houston, Gilbert was already managing one of Houston's most popular seafood restaurants, Pappadeaux, but somehow he took a 180-degree turn and went back to school in Balls University in Indiana to study and become an MRI technician. But since he was home, he cooked breakfast and dinner for us, so we didn't have to go to any restaurant, we got a Pappadeux chef at home!

His younger brother, Bobby, drove home from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to be with us… he is a successful financial analyst from Shobe Financial Company. They are indeed my family here in Texas. There's also our close friend, Ramon "Monching" Medalla, who took us to the Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community church for Mass last Sunday, and then we drove about an hour to the Clear Creek Houston Golf course to play with a Fil-Am group having a mini-tournament.

It was great to meet and play with Filipinos, especially in my foursome who were Cebuano speaking like Mel Aligsao from Cagayan de Oro, (a close friend of Marlon Garcia, brother of Gov. Gwen Garcia) and Mark Nunesa. After a round of golf, we went to the residence of Mel beside a lake for food, drinks and karaoke singing! Another friend, Dr. Woodrow Dolino, the son-in-law of Sabin Larrazabal, also took me to a round of golf, unfortunately we ran out of space so we can't talk much about that game.

* * *

For email responses to this article, write to [email protected]. Bobit's columns can also be accessed at www.shootinginsidecebu.blogspot.com