Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Tornado
That's a very interesting/entertaining read. The process of going through there with all the bureaucratic red tape/payoffs/bribes seems like a royal PITA to me. The scary thing is that in some of these situations you are completely at the mercy of some, let's say, nefarious characters with no bail-out if the situation deteriorates. Not something I want to experience on a "vacation". But for that part of the world, it's probably business as usual, and appears they knew what they were getting into.
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During the late 1980s and early 1990s, I flew many trips to South and Central America in private jets. These were all legitimate business trips supporting my employers and Fortune 500 companies, NOT narco trips... We used to bring thousands of dollars in cash to pay for fuel (many places didn't take credit cards in that era) and "incidentals." The incidentals were nearly always tips to local officials and service providers to make sure necessary documentation and services were done as needed. If you wanted your customs declarations stamped, security personnel to protect the aircraft, catering delivered on time, etc..., lots of $20 dollar bills (and beer from the aircraft's supply) were needed to facilitate services. It's no exaggeration to tell you that three very large security guards, carrying military rifles, completely surrounding you, and mere inches away can make a very persuasive case for gracious tipping...
Greg
03-25-2021, 08:15 PM
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