No More Free Luggage Carts At SDQ

[MariaRubia]

Maria does make a very valid Point .... I was going to blast her for what appeared to be Virtue Signaling to the Poor Expats who can barely afford to have Service people Tend to them hand and foot ...
but as she says The Porter can be your friend or he can literally RAT you out or maybe even set you up ? So I would be careful with those Generous Tips.
And if you think thats not possible , Read up on what was happening at MANILA Airport ... they would SNEAK a Bullet into your Luggage and then proceed to shake you down. and Hard ... Not saying the same thing would happen on ARRIVAL in the DR .. but it does open that possibility .. $20 to me seems more like a BRIBE than a " thank you " for services . I think I will take my OWN Bags outside to the Car or Taxi. The Cart will do just fine .. but to each his own .
Security is more of a Concern, than Convenience ... although I have no problems flipping someone a Propina ..

Personally I always use a luggage porter to carry my two or three suitcases, and I always give him RD$ 500. And he's always happy with that. We're usually out of the airport in about 20 mins, so I figure that if everyone tips that way, the guy is going to make at least RD$ 1000 per hour. Nice work.

I always give some coins to those poor guys who pack bags at supermarkets (even if they don't carry them outside) and they always look surprised when someone tips them and they don't move.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

Personally I always use a luggage porter to carry my two or three suitcases, and I always give him RD$ 500. And he's always happy with that. We're usually out of the airport in about 20 mins, so I figure that if everyone tips that way, the guy is going to make at least RD$ 1000 per hour. Nice work.

I always give some coins to those poor guys who pack bags at supermarkets (even if they don't carry them outside) and they always look surprised when someone tips them and they don't move.

when they my white butt they run to pack and carry my bags,, they scope me out when I'm shopping and call dibs on me

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

You must be one of those extravagant gringoes. My crocs are generic walmart crocs. Not near as expensive as the real ones.

Smelly

 

[MariaRubia]

when they my white butt they run to pack and carry my bags,, they scope me out when I'm shopping and call dibs on me

Tip them well. Usually those are the poor ones, along with the shoe-shine guys, they are the ones that need the money.

 

[Big]

Personally I always use a luggage porter to carry my two or three suitcases, and I always give him RD$ 500. And he's always happy with that. We're usually out of the airport in about 20 mins, so I figure that if everyone tips that way, the guy is going to make at least RD$ 1000 per hour. Nice work.

I always give some coins to those poor guys who pack bags at supermarkets (even if they don't carry them outside) and they always look surprised when someone tips them and they don't move.

Well I am confused. Now you seem to advocate tipping. I tip for good service. Most of the time I get top notch service. I know I also get profiled. I am wearing business casual most of the time I enter SDQ and not carrying a canvass duffle bag with a baseball hat on backwards. I never travel light, the porter with the cart gets greased.

 

[MariaRubia]

Well I am confused. Now you seem to advocate tipping. I tip for good service. Most of the time I get top notch service. I know I also get profiled. I am wearing business casual most of the time I enter SDQ and not carrying a canvass duffle bag with a baseball hat on backwards. I never travel light, the porter with the cart gets greased.

I tip a reasonable amount, US$ 10 is reasonable. I get the impression you're someone who wants everyone to notice him, you comment on how you are dressed when at an airport, and you like to lay down a big tip so everyone gets the impression you're a high roller. You like the fact that you think you're being "profiled", I imagine it's not unusual for Hello magazine to be there when you show up.

I on the other hand arrive looking like a witch with dodgy make-up and hair that looks like I've just been attacked, and couldn't give a f@ck what people think of me as I know my self-worth. So I just give a little something to say thanks. I do tip, but just to say thank you, not to say "hey look at me I'm really someone". That's the difference.

 

[Big]

I tip a reasonable amount, US$ 10 is reasonable. I get the impression you're someone who wants everyone to notice him, you comment on how you are dressed when at an airport, and you like to lay down a big tip so everyone gets the impression you're a high roller. You like the fact that you think you're being "profiled", I imagine it's not unusual for Hello magazine to be there when you show up.

I on the other hand arrive looking like a witch with dodgy make-up and hair that looks like I've just been attacked, and couldn't give a f@ck what people think of me as I know my self-worth. So I just give a little something to say thanks. I do tip, but just to say thank you, not to say "hey look at me I'm really someone". That's the difference.

Well I can see some people would be just a joy to sit next to on an airplane! I respect myself and other passengers too much to show up at the airport not to take a few moments and check my personal hygiene. As I indicated, I tip for GOOD service. With all that money you save stiffing service people maybe you can have a salon day.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

when they my white butt they run to pack and carry my bags,, they scope me out when I'm shopping and call dibs on me

Tip them well. Usually those are the poor ones, along with the shoe-shine guys, they are the ones that need the money.

figure this i they pack 15 bags a day that's 1000-1500 peso not that bad and that's not including the first time gringo who will give them 500 pesos

 

[jd426]

I tip a reasonable amount, US$ 10 is reasonable. I get the impression you're someone who wants everyone to notice him, you comment on how you are dressed when at an airport, and you like to lay down a big tip so everyone gets the impression you're a high roller. You like the fact that you think you're being "profiled", I imagine it's not unusual for Hello magazine to be there when you show up.

I on the other hand arrive looking like a witch with dodgy make-up and hair that looks like I've just been attacked, and couldn't give a f@ck what people think of me as I know my self-worth. So I just give a little something to say thanks. I do tip, but just to say thank you, not to say "hey look at me I'm really someone". That's the difference.

Fascinating ... i had generously given you much more credit than this , but thank you for your brutal Honesty.

 

[william webster]

figure this i they pack 15 bags a day that's 1000-1500 peso not that bad and that's not including the first time gringo who will give them 500 pesos

Like the bag boys at Playero..... count it up...... THEY EARN $$$

 

[Father Guido]

One of the best values at Santo Dom airport is to hire a baggage porter. They collect all of your luggage and wisk you out of the airport to a professional taxi. I'M gonna take some heat, however I always tip the gentleman 20 U.S (minimum), now it will b

figure this i they pack 15 bags a day that's 1000-1500 peso not that bad and that's not including the first time gringo who will give them 500

 

[Father Guido]

figure this i they pack 15 bags a day that's 1000-1500 peso not that bad and that's not including the first time gringo who will give them 500 pesos

I'm a many times gringo, they push my bags and me in a wheelchair, I give them 500 pesos, they seem happy, 25 usd is over the top

 

[Big]

I'm a many times gringo, they push my bags and me in a wheelchair, I give them 500 pesos, they seem happy, 25 usd is over the top

Less than 10 dollars for helping someone with physical challenges,...how generous.

 

[AlterEgo]

Less than 10 dollars for helping someone with physical challenges,...how generous.

I’ll bet it’s more than some of the old Dominicans in the wheelchairs give them. If everyone gave them $10 they’d be thrilled.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I don't think the airport employees are expecting a 10-dollar tip from an elderly, physically challenged Dominican. That wouldn't even be fair; however, it is nice to receive a generous tip from a gringo who can afford it. They do count on these tips. Lots of braggers here, so nothing wrong with a nice big tip for excellent service, as we are not flying everyday.

Adding, I never fly in shorts, tshirts and smelly silicone Crocs, so I tend to attract porters and other help that try to provide excellent service.

 

[MariaRubia]

I’ll bet it’s more than some of the old Dominicans in the wheelchairs give them. If everyone gave them $10 they’d be thrilled.

This is the point. By the way the guys at Punta Cana Airport work at Punta Cana resort. A perk of working at the resort, for buttons, is that they are allowed in their spare time to be luggage porters for gringos at the airport. And it's known that by doing this they get a lot of Americans who hand out big tips. Result is that Punta Cana Resort pays them all the absolute bare minimum now. If nobody tipped them, they would have to earn a better salary.

Exactly the same with restaurants in the Plaza España in Santo Domingo. They encourage everyone to tip on top of the propina legal. The owners as a result not only hardly pay a wage, but they don't even pay the majority of the legal propina legal as they say the staff are getting their tips in cash.

My point is that when you tip heavily you think you're helping but often it makes things a lot worse as the only ones who benefit in the long run are the business owners.

 

[Big]

The post is about the luggage carts at the airport.! A grown gentleman greets me upon arrival, brings a cart and waits for my luggage while I go to the restroom. He escorts me through the security and to my ground transportation. Sometimes it takes 20 plus minutes to retrieve my non-carry-on bags from the carousel. Of course, I am going to give him a handsome tip. Now I see anger directed at people tipping other service people which leads me to believe there are other factors involved in the giving of tips and directing anger at those who do.

 

[johne]

About 8 days ago I left JFK to SDQ. I counted 25! wheel chairs at the gate. Of those that were wheeled to the gate most were accompanied by family members at boarding time. I honestly didn't see anyone tip. Yes sad but true. More the half of the "infirmed' were dancing a bachata upon landing and walked off the plane with everybody else. So I suppose no tippers at sdq from the walking wounded.
As far as walking thru customs; "Everyone" was asked to send their baggage thru. I had 20 people in front of me. I took one step to the left and caught the eye of the woman agent that was directing. I raised a passport high in the air, looked at her, she waved me up and out.
Passports are blue
Who are you?
Don't look like a tourist
I'll pass you thru.
Easy peasy.

 

[AlterEgo]

About 8 days ago I left JFK to SDQ. I counted 25! wheel chairs at the gate. Of those that were wheeled to the gate most were accompanied by family members at boarding time. I honestly didn't see anyone tip. Yes sad but true. More the half of the "infirmed' were dancing a bachata upon landing and walked off the plane with everybody else. So I suppose no tippers at sdq from the walking wounded.
As far as walking thru customs; "Everyone" was asked to send their baggage thru. I had 20 people in front of me. I took one step to the left and caught the eye of the woman agent that was directing. I raised a passport high in the air, looked at her, she waved me up and out.
Passports are blue
Who are you?
Don't look like a tourist
I'll pass you thru.
Easy peasy.

Well, Mr AE and I got separated approaching SDQ customs (he stopped to talk to someone). I was pushing the cart, he was carrying a bunch of stuff and backpack. He’s Dominican and I’m clearly not. I walked right past, and waited outside for quite awhile because they grabbed him and made him put everything through machine then looked inside one. I think it’s the luck of the draw.

 

[johne]

Well, Mr AE and I got separated approaching SDQ customs (he stopped to talk to someone). I was pushing the cart, he was carrying a bunch of stuff and backpack. He’s Dominican and I’m clearly not. I walked right past, and waited outside for quite awhile because they grabbed him and made him put everything through machine then looked inside one. I think it’s the luck of the draw.

Absolutely.