Airlines

[QUOTE=Doppelganger; 429761]I noticed the same thing when I left in early November. Not nearly the crowd I am use to seeing checking in and going through customs. Now there were lots of folks lined up at American and United but not much anywhere else.

Fred, since when did they waste the time training dogs to sniff currency? Is that even possible? Drugs and explosives have unique scents but money is handled by many people and placed in many places on the body, remember that twenty you gave to the topless dancer? So what's up with this comment?[/QUOTE]They absolutely have trained dogs to smell USD and Euro, and there have been busts, Argentines are taking money out of the country in droves, there have been articles about this in the papers, etc. See them all the time at EZE.

[QUOTE=Gandolf50;429770]Again, how would something like that work? In the US they put metal strips in the dollars for a while so that they could detect large wads, but something went wrong and they canned that. I really doubt they have anything here that senses money. (or anywhere for that matter) I just think they watch peoples faces when the dogs or "detectors" are close by. Scared or nervouse people are pulled aside for a search.[/QUOTE]If a dog can be trained to sniff out blow, grass, meth, etc, it can surely be trained to sniff out nasty fucking bills! The vast majority of you$the having traces of blow on them. Dog stuck his nose in my crotch and got frisky, I just said that I had just left the gym and did not shower.

Take. 5mg of Valium before you go through customs and you will be in like Flint! Nobody will notice because you will be super mellow.

TL

[QUOTE=Doppelganger; 429761]I noticed the same thing when I left in early November. Not nearly the crowd I am use to seeing checking in and going through customs. Now there were lots of folks lined up at American and United but not much anywhere else.

Fred, since when did they waste the time training dogs to sniff currency? Is that even possible? Drugs and explosives have unique scents but money is handled by many people and placed in many places on the body, remember that twenty you gave to the topless dancer? So what's up with this comment?[/QUOTE]Started abut 6 months ago, when they teally ramped up the currency controls.

[QUOTE=Toymann;429771]I know I am just one traveler but I always come through EZE with damn close but just under 10k. My corrienties buddies told me long ago that the dog sniffing plata story was just that, a story! Just curious in your speculation. Monger on dude. Toymann[/QUOTE]Well, first of all, the issue is NOT entering Argentina. The Argentine government is not in the least bit concerned about anybody bringing in excess currency and make no effort to control the ENTRANCE of currency. Their concern is CAPITAL FLIGHT, so they have implemented all sorts of measures to stop the EXIT of currency. As for the dogs, they are used primarily to sniff cars / luggage at border checkpoints such as Buquebus terminal and the international bridges that go over the Rio Uruguay. Argentines have been seen this economic song and dance before and have been doing everything possible to get their money out of this country before the "music stops" so to speak. As for the handheld scanner at the Buquebus terminal, my personal experience is that I walked through the metal detector without setting off any bells and whistles; the Prefectura Naval officers then used a handheld scanner on me and the minute they passed over the wad of $9950 USD I had in the inside jacket pocket the handheld scanner went off and the officer asked me if I had cash on me. I said I did, they brought me aside to talk to a superior officer, and I took out the money, told him how much it was, and he advised me not to lie to him as he was going to make me take all my clothes off and do a thorough search. I told him I know the law and that I was under the limit and he said ok and I was on my way.

[QUOTE=SnakeOilSales;429777]Well, first of all, the issue is NOT entering Argentina. The Argentine government is not in the least bit concerned about anybody bringing in excess currency and make no effort to control the ENTRANCE of currency. Their concern is CAPITAL FLIGHT, so they have implemented all sorts of measures to stop the EXIT of currency. As for the dogs, they are used primarily to sniff cars / luggage at border checkpoints such as Buquebus terminal and the international bridges that go over the Rio Uruguay. Argentines have been seen this economic song and dance before and have been doing everything possible to get their money out of this country before the "music stops" so to speak. As for the handheld scanner at the Buquebus terminal, my personal experience is that I walked through the metal detector without setting off any bells and whistles; the Prefectura Naval officers then used a handheld scanner on me and the minute they passed over the wad of $9950 USD I had in the inside jacket pocket the handheld scanner went off and the officer asked me if I had cash on me. I said I did, they brought me aside to talk to a superior officer, and I took out the money, told him how much it was, and he advised me not to lie to him as he was going to make me take all my clothes off and do a thorough search. I told him I know the law and that I was under the limit and he said ok and I was on my way.[/QUOTE]Excellent post. If I ever get pulled I will use the same response. Monger on dude. Toymann

P. your post makes total sense!

You'd be surprised how efficient those dogs are. I saw the first ones being trained at the Federal Police dog school some time back. Originally they were to be used in investigating money laundering operations. Of course, they aren't going to smell out a dollar bill hidden in your shoe but bigger stashes have quite a distinct smell. One of the reasons, as I mentioned before, cuevas try only to buy US$ 100 bills. A million dollars in twenties is five times the size of a million in hundreds.

[QUOTE=SnakeOilSales;429777]Well, first of all, the issue is NOT entering Argentina. The Argentine government is not in the least bit concerned about anybody bringing in excess currency and make no effort to control the ENTRANCE of currency. Their concern is CAPITAL FLIGHT, so they have implemented all sorts of measures to stop the EXIT of currency. As for the dogs, they are used primarily to sniff cars / luggage at border checkpoints such as Buquebus terminal and the international bridges that go over the Rio Uruguay. Argentines have been seen this economic song and dance before and have been doing everything possible to get their money out of this country before the "music stops" so to speak. As for the handheld scanner at the Buquebus terminal, my personal experience is that I walked through the metal detector without setting off any bells and whistles; the Prefectura Naval officers then used a handheld scanner on me and the minute they passed over the wad of $9950 USD I had in the inside jacket pocket the handheld scanner went off and the officer asked me if I had cash on me. I said I did, they brought me aside to talk to a superior officer, and I took out the money, told him how much it was, and he advised me not to lie to him as he was going to make me take all my clothes off and do a thorough search. I told him I know the law and that I was under the limit and he said ok and I was on my way.[/QUOTE]Entering Argentina. For what it's worth, I entered via EZE last aug with considerably more than 10k in cash. No one searched or asked me anything until I asked to declare the money via customs. Had done same on USA side for exiting with 10k+ and no issue. At EZE they were astounded I was declaring and took awhile to find and dig out the customs guy. They didn't count but asked me why I was bringing in more than 10k and told them because as they know all gringo rent is in cash and dollars and would be in arg for at least 6 months. The rest was for chicas and boliches.

After the form was registered, they hung out talking with me about what boliches I like best and what the top shelf chicas charge. Pretty damn friendly really.

At buquebus. Oddly enough not checked at all coming back with about 3k in USD cash but on puerto madero side entering the terminal I was scanned and guard opened my small belt pouch. Had about 1k USD as emergency cash in case got stuck in colonia with ATMs not working. Guard actually counted bills and asked me lot of hostile questions why I was taking 1k to uruguay. Told him the just in case I stay day or two and ATMs not working but was really hostile and kept insisting I provide better reason. Eventually let me pass but seems he was just looking for excuse to hassle me for taking any USD out

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 429837]Entering Argentina. For what it's worth, I entered via EZE last aug with considerably more than 10k in cash. No one searched or asked me anything until I asked to declare the money via customs. Had done same on USA side for exiting with 10k+ and no issue. At EZE they were astounded I was declaring and took awhile to find and dig out the customs guy. They didn't count but asked me why I was bringing in more than 10k and told them because as they know all gringo rent is in cash and dollars and would be in arg for at least 6 months. The rest was for chicas and boliches.

After the form was registered, they hung out talking with me about what boliches I like best and what the top shelf chicas charge. Pretty damn friendly really.

At buquebus. Oddly enough not checked at all coming back with about 3k in USD cash but on puerto madero side entering the terminal I was scanned and guard opened my small belt pouch. Had about 1k USD as emergency cash in case got stuck in colonia with ATMs not working. Guard actually counted bills and asked me lot of hostile questions why I was taking 1k to uruguay. Told him the just in case I stay day or two and ATMs not working but was really hostile and kept insisting I provide better reason. Eventually let me pass but seems he was just looking for excuse to hassle me for taking any USD out[/QUOTE]In general the problem is with taking out US$ from the country. Bringing them in is no problem. On the contrary! They need as many $$$ as they can get their greedy hands on as they have almost run out. One of the reasons they don't have $$$ is because they unloaded tons of them on the market during years to keep the exchange rate down. Anyhow, that is for another thread.

Usually the guys at Ezeiza are quite decent as long as you come out straight with them but the fuckers at Buquebus (Prefectura Naval) are the biggest pain in the ass you can imagine. Power thirsty assholes!

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz; 430110]In the last 11 years I've brought enough electronics here to start a small store. I don't bring boxes, just the item, no matter what it is or how many I have I say they are for me. I have had my luggage opened a couple times (when you have a computer in one bag and the keyboard and monitor in another, it's going to show on the XRAY) but I mumbled the first couple line of God Bless America and just stumbled through.

One tip, if you get selected for screening look for the machine with the HOTTEST chick. Then choose the machine to either side of her. There is ZERO chance the chabone on your machine will be watching his screen and not the tits, ass, legs, face of the girl next door.[/QUOTE]Great post! By the way EZE seems totally DEAD, compared to LY. Could be a buyers market this season, TM, please take note

For negotiation purposes. Hardly anyone in arrivals hall during peak arrival time in AM. Last year I would be getting bumped into left into right it was so crowded, TY, it's wide open.

[QUOTE=Silver Star; 430113]Great post! By the way EZE seems totally DEAD, compared to LY. Could be a buyers market this season, TM, please take note

For negotiation purposes. Hardly anyone in arrivals hall during peak arrival time in AM. Last year I would be getting bumped into left into right it was so crowded, TY, it's wide open.[/QUOTE]Left yesterday, empty. Plane to MIA half empty.

[QUOTE=Santa;430124]Left yesterday, empty. Plane to MIA half empty.[/QUOTE]I traveled to Bs As approximately 30 times, during 2007-2011. Not once. On any of those trips, did I ever encounter a flight in or out of EZE that wasn't full or nearly full. Almost every flight out of JFK to EZE was over-sold and typical coach fares rarely, if ever dipped below US $1,000 (breifly in 2007) and business class were US $3,500-7,000. Airfare was always the most expensive part of the trip.

I figured that the economy would eventually catch up to this phenomenon. At least some of those Argie travelers have to have their incomes and savings denominated in pesos. So a $1,000 round trip in 2007 now costs the equivalent of $2,600. $3,600 (depending upon whose inflation figures you believe). That has to had some sort of impact on demand. I am surprised that JFK. EZE prices haven't dropped precipitously. AA still runs US $1,300 for a 30-day advanced purchase coach round trip. Of course, this is the same company that kept a 767 on this route when they were turning passengers away in droves.

Flew out from EZE to MIA on AA 1.5 weeks ago, plane was half empty. Will find out in a few days what its like going back the other way.

Last year I flew twice US to BA first class using 120,000 miles each time. Now they want 200,000 miles for a business class ticket and 250,000 miles for first class. Right now there is a deal where you can buy 90,000 miles for $1750 which is only really good at last year's mileage rates.

[QUOTE=BigBossMan;432236]Last year I flew twice US to BA first class using 120,000 miles each time. Now they want 200,000 miles for a business class ticket and 250,000 miles for first class. Right now there is a deal where you can buy 90,000 miles for $1750 which is only really good at last year's mileage rates.[/QUOTE]You are correct BBM, but this only applies if you don't book within about 5 months I think. AA lets you book frequent flyer travel 331 days in advance. I have flown them for years. I have found that you can get 40,000 mile return flights in coach as long as you are booking around 290 to 331 days in advance. 100,000 mile return business class tickets are available easily from approximately 180 to 331 days in advance. You can also upgrade your coach ticket one way to first class with 25,000 miles and 350 buck, right up to departure time if they have an open business seat. Hope this helps. Monger on boys. Toymann.