Men in blue shirts grabbed my luggage at Arrivals. Do I have to pay them?
As soon as we collected our bags at Colombo Airport, these men in blue shirts insisted on loading our bags onto a trolley and pushing it 50 meters to the exit.
We didn't ask for help. Then they demanded 2,000 LKR for the "service." Is this mandatory?
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1 Answer from travellers
This is the first "welcome" annoyance many tourists face.
They are Official, but Optional: These are registered airport porters, but their service is 100% optional.
The Tactic: They rely on you being tired and confused. They will act like it's part of the airport process.
What to do: If you can push your own trolley, say a firm and loud "NO THANK YOU" and keep your hands on your trolley handle. Do not let them touch your bags.
If you use them: If you have heavy surfboards or too many bags and want the help, the standard tip is about 500 – 1,000 LKR total. 2,000 is too high for a 2-minute walk. Negotiate before they start pushing.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, Canada Friendship Rd, Katunayake 11450, Sri Lanka
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