Airport hold up at STI - Page 2

DominicanScotty · #11 07-06-2006, 10:05 PM

I was leaving through La union Intl. I was at the immigration booth when the man asked me if I was there for business or pleasure. I stated that I am there to visit family, friends, business and pleasure. He took my passport and told me to go into an office. I was seated in an office and an attractive white skinned Domincana walked in. She arrogantly accused me of owing the the Dominican government taxes. I tried to explain that my business is in the name of a military officer she just laughed, rolled her eyes and said in Spanish that all of these gringos try this excuse.

Ok, so I now play stupid. She gets frustrated and leaves. I get on the cell phone and call my friend who is the the jefe at La Union Intl. Col. Tavares. Within minutes this woman was escorted away "Bye bye" I said as she was led away. From then on out I am always escorted through the airport by the jefe himself. Jefes always are being changed so I am constantly being introduced to the new airport jefe by Gen. Valanzuela.

The next time I was in La Union Intl. I saw the same immigration man at the booth and I went to him on purpose. He looked at me and just said he knows me, smiled and wished me a good flight. Cripes he barely stamped my passport.

I cannot say that this kind of thing can happen for you however it is very important to have some powerful connections if you travel into and out of this country often.

corporanr · #12 07-07-2006, 09:37 PM

would anybody be post these kinds of messeges if they were interogated by US customs? come on people... Oh I warned them they would have to fly me out.... whatever

mkohn · #13 07-07-2006, 10:57 PM

I believe these guys are using their authority to intimidate people into giving them mordidas. US Customs don't have that reputation.
mkohn

DominicanScotty · #14 07-08-2006, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corporanr

would anybody be post these kinds of messeges if they were interogated by US customs? come on people... Oh I warned them they would have to fly me out.... whatever

We are discussing the Dominican Republic...are we....?

Hipocrito Mejia · #15 07-08-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corporanr

would anybody be post these kinds of messeges if they were interogated by US customs? come on people... Oh I warned them they would have to fly me out.... whatever

I've entered the US through San Juan, Miami, Newark and JFK on dozens of times. I've been stopped a total of two times (both at JFK) by customs. One time it took about 30 seconds and my luggage was never touched, and the other time one piece was lugagge was searched and it took a total of about 3 minutes. At no point have I felt threatened, disrespected or humiliated as every immigration or customs officer that I've encountered in the US has conducted himself in a courteous and professional manner, and everything was done in the open and in plain view of other officers and travelers.

So what's your point, junior?

POP Bad Boy · #16 07-08-2006, 10:57 AM

.......immigration official, customs official or airport employee in the Dominican Republic that will not try to extort money from you if they at all can............... EVERYONE of them would be in jail in any other country........

.........I have always believed (over 14 years of traveling to the DR over 24 times per year) that ONLY PEOPLE with VISA's should be allowed to work in the airports.............MOST OF THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST PLAIN JEALOUS that they will never be able to leave their country...........AND THANK GOD FOR THAT!

aegap · #17 07-08-2006, 11:59 AM

let them blab for a while then show them my university ID and tell them my visit is explecitly to research and write a report about the tourism industry, offering to call my 'advising professor' is they oblige...the illiterate bunch soon becomes my friend: I get to skip the immigration line and they carry my luggage free of charge. It has worked so well and I get such a good service that way, I now deliberatly act suspecious so as to beg them to stop me..

..I get better service that way!

(AILA is the airport I generally use)

aegap · #18 07-08-2006, 02:19 PM

I know someone working for the DC Metro who does it with his work badge.

..key thing is I do it, non-chalantly, as if it's part of my normal introduction and not as a way of demanding special service.

LatinoRican · #19 07-08-2006, 07:25 PM

One thing Trujillo left Dominicans with is a healthy respect for people in positions of authority. I have traveled to DR many times with a good friend who is a parole officer in NYC. My friend is a large, African-American and for some reason he is sometimes stopped upon leaving the DR. He is questioned by immigration officials and usually asked for some extra ID. You should see how the expression changes on their faces when he opens a special wallet he carries and shines his badge in their faces! Immediately, his passport is stamped and he is bid a safe return flight to NYC. I have to ask him if he can get me one of those badges too!

El Diego · #20 07-08-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LatinoRican

One thing Trujillo left Dominicans with is a healthy respect for people in positions of authority. I have traveled to DR many times with a good friend who is a parole officer in NYC. My friend is a large, African-American and for some reason he is sometimes stopped upon leaving the DR. He is questioned by immigration officials and usually asked for some extra ID. You should see how the expression changes on their faces when he opens a special wallet he carries and shines his badge in their faces! Immediately, his passport is stamped and he is bid a safe return flight to NYC. I have to ask him if he can get me one of those badges too!

get one for me too.. i certainly need one every time i'm stopped.