My husband and I just flew Cebu Pacific from Manila to Davao. I've never flown it before so I've never commented on it. The CEO's sister is an old family friend and I have to say their father would be very pleased to see how well they turned out and how well the businesses are doing.

The incoming flight was late, but we were able to close the doors only 30 minutes later. Sat on the runway for what seemed like forever, but we arrived in Davao no more than 30 minutes past the time on the schedule.

Cabin crew were all young women and very fun, modern, not obese, and appeared to be happy in their chosen career. The A320 was new looking. Not their fault that the tower made us wait. The landing, however, was a bit rough, and the Davao airport is such that when the plane got to the end of the runway, it turned around 360 degrees to get to the terminal. If the airport was any busier, another plane landing would not have been a good thing.

Anyway, the inflight magazine indicated the purchase of quite a number of new aircraft and therefore the need for more pilots, cabin crew, and other associated jobs. I don't know anything about the pay, work conditions, or anything like whether they have a training contact. Given what I saw on equipment and growth, if I were a furloughed person, I'd consider Cebu Pacific. Cost of living in the Philippines is cheap as heck. Saw many Americans, Australians, Germans etc who have decided to stay here and even taken a Filipina wife. Also saw many rather unsavory types who are clearly running from something (wife, ex-wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, IRS, law enforcement) and they too have decided this is a safe place.

As I said, we had a good experience. I assume the flight back to Manila won't be any different. And just because the CEO is an old family friend doesn't mean I know whether he's a good boss or not.