Haiti Airport Baggage Handlers, There're Just Too Many!

I travel to Haiti on business every so often.

The bag handler issue at PAP is exactly why I would never come to Haiti unless absolutely necessary.

If you try to get into or out of the terminal without paying them, they will block your way. The airport security officers or policemen on site do nothing to stop them. Last time I had to make flight out of PAP I had to spread 30 USD over three people and still they kept demanding more. I finally pushed my way past them.

Reply  ... More

I Totally agree with you!!! you make perfect sense.

like I said you cant blame people who lost almost everything to want to make that extra dollar to provide for their family.

I have great experience with tourist and would go for sure and show people how to approach guest.

Great

Reply  ... More

Okay me when I went to Haiti Nov 2nd to see my Man I arrived to the airport I am a 24 year old white woman from Canada lol! picture that hahha I dont know nothing about how Haiti really is. I was put down for wanting to go to Haiti saying I was going to get raped and kidnapped and when I get to the airport they are going to try to steal my luggage so when I got to Haiti My Man came to get me where the luggage comes out (he paid someone to get in the airport) Thank God he did that cause when we came out at least 100 men were trying to grab my suitcase He basically had to shove people back. Its really sad that people have to live that way cause after all Haiti is a beautiful country and its a shame whats happening to it the government is not doing nothing to help them out. I do not blame those men trying to make that dollar at that airport as annoying and as frustrating it got, you got to put yourself in their shoes they all have family to feed.The airport should be able to regulate it but yet again they have trouble regulating the elections how do you expect them to do anything else. Its really sad that the people of Haiti have to go through all of this but we got to try and see things from their point of view. Hopefully Haiti will heal and may God guide a protect these poor people from all the Demons trying to bring them down. I love Haiti and plan building myself a house there.

Reply  ... More

Port Au Prince Airport is an opportunity for the community.

The situation at the airport has been described as disorganized, with too many porters.

Unfortunately the conditions in P-Au-P affords little opportunity for able bodied residents who need to support themselves and their loved ones. Government offices were devastated in the earthquake of January 12th, so there is a distinct lack of oversight and services available at this time. P-Au-P is over crowded, jammed with construction and demolition vehicles, slow to navigate, and potentially a security risk to foreign travelers after dark. That being said, the people there are wonderful, hard working, intelligent and full of good humor -in the face of tremendous adversity.

Reply  ... More

I use to be the one of the first ones to comment onarticle regarding my country, but did not in this one, woodring i am agrre with you and i know the problems, like another said, i use to experience this problem more in cap haitien, but now it is worse in Port au prince after the quake, it never been that bad until now. But i am totaly agree with bloobloo what ever that mean. We can't criticize these people, they are desperate and hopeless, immagine we were not that fortunete and we were one o them. let us not make critic on this but think of abetter way to deal with it and i think the only way is to create job for this people, they need electricity so they can create their own work.
I WAS THERE LAST WEEK FOR A FULL WEEK JUST GET BACK SATURDAY, WE AND THIS COUNTRY HAVE ENOUGH TALK, NOW WE NEED ACTIONS, THEY NEED JOB, ELECTRICITY, WATER, FOOD, "Les grands zouzounes" stop the food aids so they can sell their own, but guess what people have no money to buy, what is

Reply  ... More

GHANA, LAGOS, AND SENEGAL AIRPORTS are exactly like Haiti.

I visited Africa in the 90s, and encountered the same problem.

I would put an iron gate with barbed wired around the entire airport, and will come up with a system.

Reply  ... More

I agree with yourl felows I think it was only in Cap Haitian airport in Cap I i think it worst.They even want to fight you 4 ur own stuff I think the tourist board need to do something about that, that if they care, or

Reply  ... More

I actually experienced something like this when I was living the country for the first time 3 years ago. The guys asked me to help carry my sole luggage from the front door to the baggage receptionist.

For those of you who have been in Haiti's airport, you know how short is the distance.

When I refused he started assaulting me telling me how cheap I was. The guy litteraly wanted to kill me because I didn'tlet him carry my bag. I am Haitian and this experience bothered me a lot; when you think about foreigners it is definitely worst for them, especially with the Haitian atittude: tout blan chaje lajan.

Reply  ... More

Sorry Woodring, I hate it too.

This problem has been there long before the
earthquake, and its solution is quiet long due. It's inside of the airport, outside as well. Something should be

Reply  ... More

The slew of beggars and hungry people that greet you at the Toussaint Louverture national airport is very embarassing.

Let's discuss the condition of the airport itself, the pathetic condition of the baggage claim area, the building itself is all cement with poor ventilation, mind you in a tropical country.

The air conditioning often doesn't work.

Reply  ... More