Well, to close the loop:

Flying out of ZNZ the ground check-in staff were just plain rude and unhelpful, got a handwritten BP with no seat assignment and hand written luggage tag. Boarding was called and we walked out to the plane in the pouring rain (ZNZ has no air bridges until the new terminal opens) and slowly boarding back through the rear steps. On board the FA's were professional and proficient, nothing more but that is certainly enough. Luggage delivered within 5 minutes of being on the ground.

Out of DAR, a bit better, computer generated luggage tags and a boarding pass, no issue with anyone no in their assigned seats and the flight was smooth. They are not going to win airline of the year award but they were on time and service was not unpleasant overall.