Almost every time I take a taxi from Santo Domingo to the SDQ airport and get out, there is an airport employee waiting there on the curb who takes my suitcase and puts it on some conveyor belt where it is scanned or x-rayed or something before I actually enter the airport. The whole process takes about 5 seconds, but the guys seem like they are expecting a tip. Does anyone know what this is about and what kind of tip, if any, is appropriate? Thank you.
- Thread starter Alltimegreat
- Start date
Suitcase scanners at SDQ airport
I expect he scans the case to see if you are carrying anything you shouldn't do, why ele would they. Why would you tip for an inconvenience?
I never challenged it. Not sure what would have happened. But it was part of the joint US-RD "team" to fight drug trafficking.
About the tip.... I treat them like the vendors on the beach..... look them squarely in the eye and politely decline
I rarely have much luggage - I'm no big loss for them.
Certainly , if I do have luggage worth carrying, they get their 100 pesos
After they scan it, they place a little bar coded label on the suitcase. They were still doing it last April, we'll see what happens next month when we leave.
We never tipped the scanner guys, just the guy who takes the luggage from the car and brings it inside to the line/counter.
We never tipped the scanner guys, just the guy who takes the luggage from the car and brings it inside to the line/counter.
The last few times I went out of SDQ they were no longer doing this. The scanner has been moved indoors after you check your bags with the airlines.
It was being done in partnership with the USDA to check for and prevent prohibited tropical fruits and plants from being brought into the United States. December 2010 was when I first noticed that the machine was removed and they were no longer checking. And yes, I have since traveled to and from the DR 4 or 5 times, it's no longer required
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The US is very serious about that - my sister-in-law was handed a $250 fine at JFK because her daughter snuck 2 mangoes into her suitcase.
It was initiated after 911, I suppose they are looking for WMD and nail clippers.
The only person I tip now is the bagger at the supermarket.I stopped tipping left and right after two months of living here.I ask and take advice from my father who's been living here for years.He told me don't get into the habit of tipping because they will be expecting it and you're making it worse for those who live here.There is a price for gringos and Dominicans who live abroad and locals.The minute they see you're from abroad you're being charged a higher price and the "tip" is already included.For those who live here you need to be island smart like them.