Both Ashgebat and Turkmenbashi are fine to operate in/out of. Its "Russian style" security checks and passport controls and lots of suspicious eyes watching every step you take at the airport. I've been there with passengers in the oil business who have been invited by the government and I guess that helped. Vodka is cheaper than drinking water and hotels full of "ladies"
We paid cash (for handling/fuel not the ladies
) but not sure if this was a must.