safer to carry electronics in carry on or put in luggage to avoid theft shakedown

[Fiesta Mama]

Originally Posted by El_Uruguayo

Actually fiesta,

You are not required to bring it in your carry on, just required to prove it works if its in your carry-on. Otherwise anything can checked, working or not. They go through xrays, random searches, even particle analysis when checked. Electronics that dont work could be bombs, or methods used to smuggle drugs. But this has been dune pre 9-11

Yes, thank you. That is what I meant because we want to bring it in our carry-on simply to make sure it doesn't get broken or stolen.

[El_Uruguayo]

And since its a flat screen it shouldnt be a problem. Being used,at first I thought you were talking about a CRT monitor, that would be pretty awkward to put in the stow-away compartment.

[nikke]

I like to keep my electronics handy in my carry on, whenever possible. I have travelled extensively and luckily I haven't had any shakedown/theft related experiences.

[AlterEgo]

Originally Posted by Chip

It is very rare for the customs officials here in the DR to check any of the luggage of what is perceived to be a tourist (happened to me like 1 time out of 10). Returning Dominicans from abroad is another thing altogether. Therefore, "market" yourself as a tourist and try not to speak any Spanish.

Also, it is always good to put valuable in one's carry on luggage.

Exactamundo Chip. It's been about 20+ years since anyone has opened our luggage. After we get our luggage, I [the American] always walk out first, my husband, kids, whomever, behind me, and I make it a point to carry on a quiet conversation with my family in English as we pass through. I've seen what they do to some Dominicans - everything in their suitcases dumped on the table and inspected. In the old days when everyone had to go through the lanes we always had cash discreetly in our hands - not that there was anything in our suitcases that shouldn't be, just to avoid the delay and having to repack everything.

[Luperon]

How does one avoid the xray machine when arriving at Santiago Airport, it seems they require everyone to go through it.

[gataylor]

Back to the origiunal question - theft from checked luggage.......Always keep anything of personal value (sentimental or monetary) in your carry-on luggage. Because checked bags now must be left unlocked for TSA, theft by airline baggage handlers has become more prevelant. I personally know of three cases in North America. Its not limited to third world countries.

As for shakedown by DR customs, it seems to me that if you are a tourist, you just politely refuse, insist on your rights, insist on speaking with a higher authority, and do all this in non-Spanish. It has never happened to me at DR customs, but it has happened twice while driving in Santo Domingo. Both times they backed down when I refused to give them any money and told them to take me to the police station. Of course, this is only an option if you have indeed not committed a flagrant offense so, even though Dominicans do it all the time, I would advise against running any red lights.