www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The suspense of not knowing what to expect when I arrive at SJO on 3/19 was killing me...so I devoted two hours to USAIRWAYS and COPA over the phone.

The Good News:

According to Amanda at USAIRWAYS, the airline DOES CHECK luggage to a final destination even on a different itinerary with another airline. This needs to be done in person at the check-in counter. The airline, of course, will not assume any responsiblity for lost, damaged. mis-directed bags.

According to Emanuel at COPA Air, the airline will accept checked baggage from other carriers, code-shared or not.

The Bad News:

Emanuel researched the issue of the departure tax...yes, I will need to show a paid certificate (even if I don't leave the transit area with a preprinted boarding pass and my carry-on baggage). Since I will be starting a new itinerary in San Jose, COPA considers this a departure from Costa Rica and not continuation of travel. I don't think $26 is worth taking this issue to Sala IV of the Tico Supreme Court.

Off the record, Emanuel advised me not to check any baggage to Medellin on any other airline, but COPA. In his humble opinion, there is at least an 80% chance my baggage will be lost somewhere between USAIRWAYS/COPA and SJO/MDE. 'Nuff said...

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

During my last trip to CR I saw a family of four who was just apssing through, and they were asked to pay the tax. They argued with the folks in CR, and from what I could gather, they were SOL.

Yeah, I've resigned myself to the fact that I will just cough up the $26...go through immigration and customs...and enjoy a quick lunch with my amiga from Alajuela.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

That's kind of what I was thinking. If you were travelling Taca to Bogota thru San Jose, you wouldn't have to pay it.

I agree that checking bags would be risky.

The young lady at USAirways may tell you they accept no liability for checked luggage that is transferred to another carrier but unfortunatly for them they can not so cavalierly abdicate their responsibility. They or Copa would have to accept liability under the Warsaw Convention. The only question would be can USAIR show a transfer to Copa in SJO. If so it becomes Copa's responsibility if not it is USAir's responsibility.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ID,

Thanks, for that piece of information. That is good knowledge when it comes time to file a baggage claim against the airline. I did not get a warm, fuzzy feeling about this process...so I probably won't rely on this option. Since I have to go through immigration and customs anyway (to check in at the COPA ticket counter), I may as well wait a few minutes longer if I decide to bring a checked bag.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Most times when we fly, taxes to support the airport facility are included in your ticket price. This is not the case in CR. Thus, if you wanna roll your carryon over those rumble tiles, you gotta pay. There are several signs in the airport that tell how the tax is supposedly used. Note: I LOVE that sound when I am coming into country and hate it when I have to leave.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

This is what happened when I passed through last Wednesday. After clearing immigration and customs, I checked in with COPA for the final two legs of my trip to Medellin.

I told a lovely COPA employee, Tania, who was checking passports, that I was actually a passenger in transit, and asked if there was a way the departure tax could be waived. Tania instructed me to check with the folks in the immigration booth (located just to the left of the departure queues and initial security check). After explaining to immigration that I arrived that day, and was on my way to Medellin on another itinerary, the senora issued me an "exoneration certificate" exempting me from the departure tax without any further questions. Apparently, the initial information I got from COPA was bum dope. Sometimes it pays not to take "no" for an answer.

COPA re-booked me on an earlier flight to Panama City, but was still able to enjoy a leisurely lunch with my amiga from Alajuela.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Thanks for the follow up Blue Devil. Valuable info to have for future travelers just transiting.

PS: Blue Devils were almost one & done

15 Belmont 70
2 Duke 71

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ID,

Even Coach K and the almight devils are not immortal. Everyone has a finite "shelf-life."

Peace,

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Very true. We realized that on February 20, 2008:

# 5 Duke 95

Miami 96

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

This thread is a good example of how much disinformation can be distributed in these Latin countries. It is part of the culture to never admit you dont know...or to say I'm sorry...or give you directions when they really have no clue. If you asked 10 people at the airport this question, you would probably get 5-8 different answers.

Finally the right answer was arrived at. I too have passed through SJO on different airlines...having to go through immigration, re check my bags upstairs, etc. Exit taxes are NOT required...though I wouldnt be surprised some people have been forced to pay them depending on who they talked to.

All good lessons on traversing our beautiful latin america...

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...