Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Your airport sucks!

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After immigration it took us almost 2 hours to get our bags and clear customs. Finally got the green light and then got searched. What’s with the green light if they are going to search you anyways? At least they didn’t try to tax me this time for the school supplies. Thinking about carry on only next year and skipping the donations or finding someplace else to go. Can’t imagine what it would have been like if we weren’t the only plane. Great way to promote tourism. It was a similar experience last year but we were hoping that it was just a bad day.

We finally get to the Azul Grand about 5:30 and no room is ready and no king available. Got it all straightened out and had a fantastic dinner at Il Mare. Zihuatanejo is great but the tourism industry here can use a serious makeover!

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Two hours to clear? Were they that busy? There are no lights in Mexico City. They can inspect you at any time! The deductions are very high per traveler so keep your receipts.
The biggest joke is the x-ray machine just before you red/green light. I have been stopped as well without even pushing the button because they see something in the suitcase. Good thing is, maybe they have two check crews and they usually do not pull people over if there are others being checked.

A drink,fishing trip and another good dinner all will be forgotten!

D

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And an international airport to boot!

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You must have some serious bad luck because for all the times I have been flying into Zihua it has never taken me remotely close to this long to go through customs. Heck, I am checked in at my hotel with drinks in hand and all unpacked and showered within 2 hours and I travel heavy and use the shared taxi so always a wait for enough people to go.

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A couple of years ago we arrived on Alaska, behind 2 other 737s. The line was unbelievably long. And on a related subject: someone recently mentioned that you can go in the same line that Mexican nationals take, if you have permanent residency. Any truth to that?

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Worked for me last April and again in July.

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Thanks!

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We were the only plane and there appeared to be plenty working. Maybe it’s just an October thing and I’m getting older and grumpier.

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But in the past you have brought great donations for our community. Thanks!

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Yes we are permanent residents and always go through the Mexican only Line! Have also gone through. In Mexico City.

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I,m a resident permanente and it works..I just wave my rp card in the air as I exit out the right hand side. I don't ask, just go.

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Well if you arrived yesterday (Saturday) then you certainly have a point.
We cleared Immigration in about 20 minutes but when it came to getting our bags it was a nightmare. We flew down on Alaska and shortly afterwards a United flight arrived.
Unloading the Alaska flight baggage was an exercise in how not to. It appeared they only had two carts which they would load then unload at the Terminal and then go back to the aircraft to refill the carts or sometime only half fill them and return them to the Terminal.
They had two separate baggage pick up lines - one for Alaska and the other for United. There came a time when they shut down the Alaska belt and announced that there was no more luggage even though we could see them still unloading the Alaska flight and at least 70+ of us were still waiting for our bags.
Then to add to the confusion they started sending Alaska luggage onto the United belt.
Once we finally got our luggage we had to line up to have our baggage scanned and that was much too long and frustrating especially when the scanner operator left his position to help inspect someone's luggage while we cooled our heels untill he returned.
Then when it came time to push the red/green light we were questioned at length as to where we were going, how long we were staying,how much money etc. etc. All that information had already been provided on the declerations we had already filled out and submitted.
A Gong Show is the only family term I could attribute to this airport fiasco. Two hours was not an exaggeration either.

As La Patrona opined later as we were imbibing in a few margaritas at the Catalina's Sunset Bar that in the 21 years we've been coming here, that was the absolutely worst experience we've ever encountered at the Zihuatanejo airport.
Roberto!
PS
Sorry for any spelling mistakes but tough to do on a tablet.

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Well if you arrived yesterday (Saturday) then you certainly have a point.
We cleared Immigration in about 20 minutes but when it came to getting our bags it was a nightmare. We flew down on Alaska and shortly afterwards a United flight arrived.
Unloading the Alaska flight baggage was an exercise in how not to. It appeared they only had two carts which they would load then unload at the Terminal and then go back to the aircraft to refill the carts or sometime on half fill them and return them to the Terminal.
They had two separate baggage pick up lines - one for Alaska and the other for United. There came a time when they shut down the Alaska belt and announced that there was no more luggage even though we could see them still unloading the Alaska flight and at least 70+ of us were still waiting for our bags.
Then to add to the confusion they started sending Alaska luggage onto the United belt.
Once we finally got our luggage we had to line up to have our baggage scanned and that was much too long and frustrating especially when the scanner operator left his position to help inspect someone's luggage while we cooled our heels untill he returned.
Then when it came time to push the red/green light we were questioned at length as to where we were going, how long we were staying,how much money etc. etc. All that information had already been provided on the declerations we had already filled out and submitted.
A Gong Show is the only family term I could attribute to this airport fiasco. Two hours was not an exaggeration either.

As La Patrona opined later as we were imbibing in a few margaritas at the Catalina's Sunset Bar that in the 21 years we've been coming here, that was the absolutely worst experience we've ever encountered at the Zihuatanejo airport.
Roberto!
PS
Sorry for any spelling mistakes but tough to do on a tablet.

I’m really sorry to hear about your and Craig’s and everyone else’s terrible experience. You certainly aren’t being treated with the courtesy, professionalism and respect you deserve. Maybe I can bring this to someone’s attention who can remedy this. Thanks for letting me know.

Saludos y bienvenidos, tocayo.

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I also echo these comments, I was on Alaska 220 on 10/27/18 traveling with a dog in cargo who nearly died due to being left in an unpressurized cabin for over an hour and half AFTER the plane landed and the engines shut down, Live animals (there were two that I know of ) are to be unloaded first not last To me it appeared to be the contract agency Mendes, I think, who dropped the ball.

this situation does not bode well for the coming tourist season. Right now I would not recommend a trip in or out of Zihua's airport. It really does suck!

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It's a nice Express bus to Morelia and a small airport. Flew into there a few years ago. Morelia is a beautiful city to visit. United air miles were 35k ea to "Z" and 17.5k ea to Morelia. We flew in January and visited the Butterfly Reserve and took the 7 am bus to "Z". There a few very nice B&B'S near the center of the Old Part.

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Morelia is not a viable alternative when one is traveling with a dog and 4 pieces of luggage after being away from home for 6 months

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We had the other dog . I hope your dog is feeling better . Our golden was pretty dehydrated and lethargic yesterday but we treated him with electrolytes and he’s better today . That was by far the worst treatment I’ve ever encountered flying in and out of Zihua frequently for over 20 years . I’m filing a complaint with Alaska and asking them to open an investigation about how our animals were put at high risk . Our crate was very hot to the touch and our well seasoned travel dog was shaking . I’d encourage you to also tell your story to Alaska to prevent a pet tragedy .. A horrific experience that needs to be fixed

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Nice ... they have a band and gift bags for the arriving Canadians . Neither Alaska air or the airport responded to my official complaint of almost killing my service dog . Next step is my local consulate for an official complaint on their horrific service . I guess American tourist ( or tax paying owner residents like us ) are not welcome .

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We had an incident at the airport upon arrival in March of 2017. Customs looked at our 6 lb dog Maxie's paperwork and said we needed proof that she had been given medicine for parasites (fleas and worms). This was not a requirement before, they said it was new but we had to have it and they were very stern and intimidating. Finally they said I could take the dog but they would keep my passport until I came back with the proper paperwork from a vet.

I thank the Lord for our hotel owner Lucy. When we arrived she hugged me and I told her what happened. She made arrangements and took Maxie and I to her vet this morning, we got the paperwork based on my telling her that we had given Maxie the parasite medicine at home (which we had). Then Lucy took me back to the airport and we got my passport back. The people at the airport told Lucy that this new "rule" had gone into effect in January, but no one was told about it.

The previous year they told us we couldn't take our dog home because the rabies vaccine was too new, we had gotten it early so it wouldn't be an issue (or so we thought), we brought the new paperwork but not the old. Thankfully a nice employee looked it up and let us go.

We no longer feel comfortable bringing our dog. It's too bad because she loved it. We've been coming for 12 years and Z is still our favorite place in the world. Thankfully I have a wonderful mother who loves my dog so we can continue to enjoy the paradise that is Zihuatanejo.

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:megusta:

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What a mess! Hopefully it will be straightened out soon.

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The first time we took the United direct from Chicago, when we boarded were told there would be a delay and we could get off and stay close to the gate or stay- we stayed on. The plane had arrived from Canada and hit something pulling into the gate. When we arrive in "Z", the airport was a mess. The snake line was out the door. When we go to pick up our luggage was a mess also. When we got out side, there was a long line for the taxis- they were doing r/t as fast as they could. There were people arriving the first time and were trying to cut in the line. I think it was over 2 hours before we got to our hotel. Another larger 737 landed while we were in the immigration line. Because of the 2 United flights were arriving close together, United has been playing with the departure time.

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yahoo the Canadian flights start this weekend, looking forward to add the confusion, the downside would be staying at home and shaking my head looking outside. I hate line ups, whatever happens there is a a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

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Does anyone who went through this terrible experience speak a little Spanish? A reporter friend of mine with an important local radio-news program would like to get some comments from someone knowledgeable about this event for his morning program. I don't have the first-hand details necessary to help him out. Rudimentary Spanish is fine. My friend Adolfo can help you along.

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I covered for you. Was anyone listening?

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I covered for you. Was anyone listening?

I saw it on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/100001338116491/posts/1976460165741901/

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I covered for you. Was anyone listening?

I saw it on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/100001338116491/posts/1976460165741901/

That was one of the results of my posting and sharing this thread there. Other news media also covered the story, and one of our most respected local reporters renowned nationwide, Adolfo Romero, also has a radio news program on Radio Capital 95.3 FM. Part of his interview with me was recorded on their Facebook page. Here's the story he published:

https://www.facebook.com/CapitalNoticiasZih/posts/1617527508392372

https://www.facebook.com/ReporteZihuatanejo2016/posts/883474492041764

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Wow, thanks Rob. Sounds like it may already be working. Hopefully the airport guys aren’t on the lookout for a Craig to get even with!

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:megusta:

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:megusta:

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Hi Rob
Spoke with some people who arrived today on Alaska and said their experience at the airport was fairly painless.
Perhaps those of us who arrived Saturday experienced "the perfect storm" conditions and I certainly feel for those who had their pets affected.
Roberto!

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Hi Rob
Spoke with some people who arrived today on Alaska and said their experience at the airport was fairly painless.
Perhaps those of us who arrived Saturday experienced "the perfect storm" conditions and I certainly feel for those who had their pets affected.
Roberto!

Or hopefully calling attention to the problem is already having the desired results? ;-)

¡Saludos a ti y a Wynn!

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