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It is a rule, but VERY rarely enforced. Every flight I take, 6-10 per year for 15+ years, is a one way back to Guate. Never a problem.
And I wish People would stop calling us Old tourists, Senior Citizens--We prefer to be called, "The soon to be dead"
If I am going anyplace internationally and don't have a return ticket from that country, I plan for being asked even if it doesn't happen (and most times it doesn't). Waving a paper with a travel company logo might help.
American Airlines had never bothered me about this. And when I arrive at immigration, I am dressed cleanly and well, well groomed too...I say Good Afternoon in Spanish, smile and increase the chances of a hassle-free passing.
Sometimes while waiting in line I take a mental bet on who will have the most trouble in Central America. If you guess the couple where the guy looks like he was picked out of the sewer and the girl looks like she misplaced the other half of her outfit when at the Streetwalker's Convention, it would be a good bet.
Even the USF&WS inspectors give me a going over looking for endangered something or other.
http://premiumblend.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/shrunken-heads.2.jpg
but, seriously, I think it sometimes is the roll of the dice, but I also think people who look very "wild" to the inspectors are sometimes profiled and have rules enforced on them others are not asked about. I can understand someone saying "I am what I am", and not changing a style of dress or haircut.
I am almost off on another trip to Haiti so please forgive me if I don't see messages right away. Interestingly, Haitian inspectors have never asked me anything and the last time I flew into Port Au Prince, American Airlines either forgot or didn't bother to check if I had my passport (never mind the return ticket). Coming back to the US, it was another story- no one got near the plane without an inspection of documents.
Looks are important. For example, I had encountered a UN roadblock while in a taxi in Port Au Prince. The driver thought if I spoke to the UN "police" they would just let us pass. I was sad 'white" skin is seen as so powerful. The driver was amazed I wouldn't just tell the UN guys that we were important and had to pass.
A friend told me that in Costa Rica there is a particular buslines that offer "fake tickets" sold soley for the purpose of showing return proof and are not good for any actual bus trip. They are about $10 and I apologize greatly but I do not know the company name. I am looking to purchase a ticket myself right now and if I find it I will post it.
A friend told me that in Costa Rica there is a particular buslines that offer "fake tickets" sold soley for the purpose of showing return proof and are not good for any actual bus trip. They are about $10 and I apologize greatly but I do not know the company name. I am looking to purchase a ticket myself right now and if I find it I will post it.
.....
www.ticabus.com
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15
I flew Gua-Hav-Gua once this year and when I was leaving Havana they wanted an onward ticket. I laughed and told them I would gladly stay but they quickly said no.It is a rule, but VERY rarely enforced. Every flight I take, 6-10 per year for 15+ years, is a one way back to Guate. Never a problem.
16
They can't be serious. Why would you buy a RT ticket when the odds are you will end up dead in Guatemala? Everyone knows it is unsafe to go there and if you go, it will be One Way.And I wish People would stop calling us Old tourists, Senior Citizens--We prefer to be called, "The soon to be dead"
17
One time Costa Rican immigration asked if I had a return ticket when using the land border from Panama. Another time they didn't ask. I don't look rough. I think anywhere it can be the roll of the dice although I have heard Spirit Airlines is the worst with asking for this ( no shock, I think they would sell their mother for another dollar ).If I am going anyplace internationally and don't have a return ticket from that country, I plan for being asked even if it doesn't happen (and most times it doesn't). Waving a paper with a travel company logo might help.
American Airlines had never bothered me about this. And when I arrive at immigration, I am dressed cleanly and well, well groomed too...I say Good Afternoon in Spanish, smile and increase the chances of a hassle-free passing.
Sometimes while waiting in line I take a mental bet on who will have the most trouble in Central America. If you guess the couple where the guy looks like he was picked out of the sewer and the girl looks like she misplaced the other half of her outfit when at the Streetwalker's Convention, it would be a good bet.
18
I've had airline people try to bs me a bunch of times like charging me sales tax twice, etc. Don't let them tell you anything about it being their absolute responsibility to require it either. More likely it is their absolute responsibility to add to their bank balance. Just tell them you're meeting your uncle who is driving up from Panama and will travel along with him or something plausible and they'll back off. I've driven to the US from Guatemala and flown back, flown there and driven back several times and vice versa and nobody has ever asked me anything.20
Roberto--I get picked for the personal shakedown almost every time I fly. My daughter thinks it is hilarious. I tell her they do it because they think I am the reincarnation of Jesus. They always inspect the bottom of my feet to see if I have something taped there but I think they are looking for nail holes.Even the USF&WS inspectors give me a going over looking for endangered something or other.
21
Maybe they just had an issue with your souvenirs.http://premiumblend.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/shrunken-heads.2.jpg
22
xinloi- sorry you are stopped (LOL)but, seriously, I think it sometimes is the roll of the dice, but I also think people who look very "wild" to the inspectors are sometimes profiled and have rules enforced on them others are not asked about. I can understand someone saying "I am what I am", and not changing a style of dress or haircut.
I am almost off on another trip to Haiti so please forgive me if I don't see messages right away. Interestingly, Haitian inspectors have never asked me anything and the last time I flew into Port Au Prince, American Airlines either forgot or didn't bother to check if I had my passport (never mind the return ticket). Coming back to the US, it was another story- no one got near the plane without an inspection of documents.
Looks are important. For example, I had encountered a UN roadblock while in a taxi in Port Au Prince. The driver thought if I spoke to the UN "police" they would just let us pass. I was sad 'white" skin is seen as so powerful. The driver was amazed I wouldn't just tell the UN guys that we were important and had to pass.
24
I've been asked for a return ticket about half the times I've flown into Latin America on Spirit. Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. The simplest solution is to get a travel agent to print you out a reservation for a return flight before you leave. You don't have to actually buy the ticket. Show that to the check-in people and you are fine. I've also had luck with bogus home-made itinerary printouts. Airlines don't always ask, but I always carry one to be safe. It is no fun at all being denied boarding at the last minute.25
Wow. Regardless of who or what asks for return proof or not....A friend told me that in Costa Rica there is a particular buslines that offer "fake tickets" sold soley for the purpose of showing return proof and are not good for any actual bus trip. They are about $10 and I apologize greatly but I do not know the company name. I am looking to purchase a ticket myself right now and if I find it I will post it.
29
Wow. Regardless of who or what asks for return proof or not....A friend told me that in Costa Rica there is a particular buslines that offer "fake tickets" sold soley for the purpose of showing return proof and are not good for any actual bus trip. They are about $10 and I apologize greatly but I do not know the company name. I am looking to purchase a ticket myself right now and if I find it I will post it.
.....
www.ticabus.com
