Bag handlers at POP airport ..are they still

pretty demanding. I remember some other posts about them grabbing your bags, carrying them 10 feet or so and demanding a fairly large tip! Is a firm No, Gracias enough so that you can carry your own bags?

Yes it is, but tell him he will only get 1 or 2 US$ will also do the trick. Or he will carry you bags for only 2 dollars
Rob

Casey,

the situation has improved a little bit during the last year, you have a better chance of carrying your bags yourself if you tell them No, gracias!
There is always some police around now who prevents them of being too agressive.
If they carry your bags give them not more than 1 US$ and they will be fine. Only if they think you don´t know the prices they will try to get more.

Bye

Ronald

Unless you ask them for assistance inside, they do not bother you. Just load up your cart and walk out. If anyone "bugs" you, a simple Gracias No is normally enough.

Last Feb. my biggest problem was on leaving POP. As my wife was wheelchair bound we had 3 items, one of which was her walker. When we got to the check-in counter I had 3 US$1 bills ready and the first guy in line would gladly have taken the whole bunch. I insisted on giving to each individual and one of them wanted more and blocked my path to the check-in. I parted with a spare staw hat to finally get past him.

I am pleased to hear that there is a police presence now.

Just returned Jan 4 and the situation is very much better than in the past. I don't know why but there were fewer baggage handlers and as in the previous posts a simple "no gracias" was enough.

Matt you must be formerly from Chatham On
DR1 News said the handlers were lowered from 1400 to 300 at Santo Domingo, likely the same in POP.

hlywud - no I am still from Chatham On.