Originally Posted by
chrisny2
Huh? Tampa, Miami, and San Juan are all in the United States, so that statement doesn't apply.
SJU is an interesting situation. Yes, they are US, but not a state, some will say a colony, etc. It is not considered domestic, sort of "international" that they even have their own mention regarding on the website about baggage. International in that everyone has access to buy duty free items when flying back to the US.
Mind you, I was born and raised in SJU and lived there for the first 25 years of my life. I've encountered my share of documentation requirements while flying to/from SJU even now. So yes, to some extent I would think that for someone flying out of the US mainland, they would have their paperwork in order, last thing you want is being stuck in transit as it will be an expensive lesson. Some AA personal certainly go on a power trip, and with covid restriction changing constantly, you may not know the correct info. Me, I rather err on the side of caution.