Happens coming in too. There have been several articles in the Dominican papers this month about luggage being opened and items stolen/missing. The claim is that it is happening between the plane and the baggage claim area.
- Thread starter dv8
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luggage searched upon leaving POP
That is correct. The majority of the luggage that I've seen going around the carousel had no locks.
You can buy small locks that are TSA approved and use them. The TSA has keys to open them. I use them all the time when flying to and from the US.
For many years now, I have chosen not to lock my luggage and had no bad experiences (thank goodness!). Twice I have been also called out at POP airport and my checked baggage been searched but I had no problem with it apart from the fact that the officials wondered why I was taking a gallon of 'vinegar' on my flight to the UK which actually was Brugal which made them all laugh.
Nope. I've had mine locked and upon arriving in the DR have been intact.
Before they used to but not anymore as they have scanners or Xray that can see inside
the luggage. Advanced technology.
Give it a try now and see for yourself.
I had a plastic badge printed and attached to the luggage handle that reads 'Warning -- Opening Case May Trigger Recording Device -- Images and Clips Stored Offsite'
I used the word 'may' because to be honest I'm not sure what's legal to claim or not claim with TSA. I figure if someone is just going through the motions of doing their job they won't care but if it's a worker with bad intent they may not be so bold -- especially if they consider a time/date stamp is going to be involved.
I haven't had any love notes from TSA found in my bags since.
I used the word 'may' because to be honest I'm not sure what's legal to claim or not claim with TSA. I figure if someone is just going through the motions of doing their job they won't care but if it's a worker with bad intent they may not be so bold -- especially if they consider a time/date stamp is going to be involved.
I haven't had any love notes from TSA found in my bags since.
Not that it matters, but since you asked. You mentioned your surprise at the same time as mentioning not blinking an eye. And that you hadn't heard of people being called go be present when searching took place while being such frequent users of the airport.
The point that you took the time to post this occurrance did not strike me as surprising as I have rarely been on DR1 when you are not, if ever. And so that point that you were even on DR1 while in transit, is no surprise, for whatever reason.
But like I said, it doesn't matter (so please don't feel the need to explain further, I get it) next time you won't be so surprised.
And glad the rest of your trip went through without any more surprises.
Merry Xmas!
I've had my bags checked at SDQ more than once, just before boarding, nothing unusual. I've also had my bags opened by the TSA after bag drop off, leaving Miami, TSA just opened the TSA code locks. A normal (no TSA) lock on they would just cut it. Once I had a pack of A4 printerpaper sliced open, probaly assumed it was cash, nothing missing in the bags.
Lst time we flew out of POP, we were also called to have our luggage looked at, actually only one bag because we had put a large plastic bag of Jarabacoa Oregano to take to my mother. We told the guy what it was, he smelled it ( hell everyone within the room smelt it as soon as the bag was open) He asked if he could have a little for his mother- which we gladly gave to him. Everything was copacetic and off we went with friendly waves and smiles.
I make several trips a year to Dom Rep and I have never had a problem in POP or SDQ but in MIA had the hassle of being placed in a room that was sparse with furniture and had to wait close to half hour before I was questioned and then requestioned 15 minutes later and asked about my trips all while officials flipped through my passport in front of me. This happened about 5 years ago on my return to Miami. I was then told I could leave...officials were neither friendly or unfriendly just like robots doing their job!
a year or two ago my son's bag was searched, (punta cana airport), and when they found nothing wrong, they tried to tell him he couldn't take that much coffee home.. LOL seven one pound bags. Basically, the agent was trying for a bribe, which my son refused and called his bluff. son, baggage and coffee all made it home just fine.
The only time I had a bag searched was when I was returning with a couple of bags of yerba mate from Uruguay. Yerba mate is available in Miami, but it gets bitter pretty rapidly and is far better when fresh. I got through customs with no problems other than the inspection. I suppose they wanted to know whether it was marijuana or something else illegal.
So the comment on how organic stuff scans as orange and flags a bag seems to be accurate and helpful. It would be best to put stuff like coffee, oregano and chocolate in the carryon.
So the comment on how organic stuff scans as orange and flags a bag seems to be accurate and helpful. It would be best to put stuff like coffee, oregano and chocolate in the carryon.
You cannot carry any goods in your carry on from the DR to the states or they will confiscate it.
Everything must be put in your checked luggage. Unless you bought it in the stores (airport) after you
checked in through security
Everything must be put in your checked luggage. Unless you bought it in the stores (airport) after you
checked in through security
I wonder if the searching is a more recent thing? I only say that as I can't even count how many times I have flown out of POP over the years, and usually with coffee, and have never been called on to inspect my luggage. I have to agree it's definitely a good thing that they do check, unless they are trying to scam you by taking something/claiming you can't bring back something you know you can.
If anything, I get more of a grilling in Canada by Customs agents as my Passport has so many Dominican stamps in it they figure I am a drug mule...
I've never been called aside to have my luggage checked, but I have seen passengers
being called over the intercom and taken somewhere to have their luggage inspected.
The only thing that I did notice was a sticker attached to my luggage stating that it was
checked because it was heavy. I guess they wanted to make sure I wasn't carrying a
dead body.
I take that back, I was called one time in the states but not in the DR.
being called over the intercom and taken somewhere to have their luggage inspected.
The only thing that I did notice was a sticker attached to my luggage stating that it was
checked because it was heavy.
I guess they wanted to make sure I wasn't carrying adead body.
I take that back, I was called one time in the states but not in the DR.