usvi-on-line
Duty Free Inside of Security - Good Bad and the Ugly
Duty Free Inside of Security - Good Bad and the Ugly
Just got back early this morning and felt the need to give everyone the heads up on the new duty free shop at the airport.
The Good - Brand new shop back in the corner by the gift shop. They must have just barely opened because they were still unpacking watches and jewelry. I haven't brought booze home since the TSA liquid clampdown because I grew up in the days of the American Tourister gorilla - luggage commercial
I was assured that we could carry on from shop manager since we were inside of security. I couldn't pass up on the 2 bottles of Patron Silver for $62 special. I also grabbed a couple of liters of Cruzan to qualify for the 4 bottle 15% discount and essentially got the rum for $5. The folks boxed me up nice and I was off to the gate.
The Bad- 5 minutes before boarding the Delta gate attendant called everyone up that was carrying on booze. We were told we had to gate check and couldn't carry on. I protested with no avail and checked the box. I went back to the Duty Free shop and complained to the manager loud enough that half of the 20 people in the shop cleared out when they overheard that the airlines were checking alcohol and not permitting carry-on.
The Ugly - I agreed to check the box under the stipulation that it was a gate check only and could pick up the box at my arrival gate at Atlanta. Of course when I arrived at Atlanta I was told that that wasn't done. After a mile of brisk walking through the ATL terminal, I was assured by a Delta agent that the box was checked through to Albany along with my other bag. You guessed it, home to ALB and sure enough the bag showed up on the carousel, but no box. Delta baggage claim quickly determined that my "carry-on" was sitting in baggage claim in Atlanta. I'll update what shape the package is in if and when I receive it. (Note: there was no extra wrapping like they do at the shop near baggage claim so my expectations aren't very high...)
So the moral of the story - Looks like you can get some pretty good deals at the new shop in the departure area of the airport, but whatever you do, take your liquor out of the boxes and store them in your carry on bags.
The Good - Brand new shop back in the corner by the gift shop. They must have just barely opened because they were still unpacking watches and jewelry. I haven't brought booze home since the TSA liquid clampdown because I grew up in the days of the American Tourister gorilla - luggage commercial
I was assured that we could carry on from shop manager since we were inside of security. I couldn't pass up on the 2 bottles of Patron Silver for $62 special. I also grabbed a couple of liters of Cruzan to qualify for the 4 bottle 15% discount and essentially got the rum for $5. The folks boxed me up nice and I was off to the gate.The Bad- 5 minutes before boarding the Delta gate attendant called everyone up that was carrying on booze. We were told we had to gate check and couldn't carry on. I protested with no avail and checked the box. I went back to the Duty Free shop and complained to the manager loud enough that half of the 20 people in the shop cleared out when they overheard that the airlines were checking alcohol and not permitting carry-on.
The Ugly - I agreed to check the box under the stipulation that it was a gate check only and could pick up the box at my arrival gate at Atlanta. Of course when I arrived at Atlanta I was told that that wasn't done. After a mile of brisk walking through the ATL terminal, I was assured by a Delta agent that the box was checked through to Albany along with my other bag. You guessed it, home to ALB and sure enough the bag showed up on the carousel, but no box. Delta baggage claim quickly determined that my "carry-on" was sitting in baggage claim in Atlanta. I'll update what shape the package is in if and when I receive it. (Note: there was no extra wrapping like they do at the shop near baggage claim so my expectations aren't very high...)
So the moral of the story - Looks like you can get some pretty good deals at the new shop in the departure area of the airport, but whatever you do, take your liquor out of the boxes and store them in your carry on bags.
Honestly I would e-mail Rep. Donna Christensen's office here in Washington and there in the VI.
No doubt this is an effort initiated by the tourism bureau to get sales back up and the airline's antics are not helping them do that.
I think she'd like to know about your experience.
Here's the link to her contact info:
http://www.donnachristensen.house.gov/S ... ewsID=1261
Just sayin...
No doubt this is an effort initiated by the tourism bureau to get sales back up and the airline's antics are not helping them do that.
I think she'd like to know about your experience.
Here's the link to her contact info:
http://www.donnachristensen.house.gov/S ... ewsID=1261
Just sayin...
*Another fine scatterbrained production
OK, that sucks. That really sucks. Especially because you didn't have the chance to wrap your bottles because you were told you could carry on. (And I would bet money that those bottle boxes would fit under the seat in front of you. They seem like the right size. I'd have checked my other bag before I'd have checked the liquor. Did you have that option?
Anyhow. in addition to contacting Donna Christensen's office, I would probably also contact the office of Beverly Doty Nicholson (I think that's her name), the new VI tourism person. Although she's really not new anymore, but still... Beverly has been working hard on getting this stuff into place, and I'm sure she'd like to hear about your experience too.
Hopefully they work the kinks out. If not, I guess I'll stick with buying it AH Riise or Captain's Corner, because they both pack everything up very nice for me.
Anyhow. in addition to contacting Donna Christensen's office, I would probably also contact the office of Beverly Doty Nicholson (I think that's her name), the new VI tourism person. Although she's really not new anymore, but still... Beverly has been working hard on getting this stuff into place, and I'm sure she'd like to hear about your experience too.
Hopefully they work the kinks out. If not, I guess I'll stick with buying it AH Riise or Captain's Corner, because they both pack everything up very nice for me.
I don't think contacting any USVI Rep. will help. This is an airline policy.
If the box of booze was your only carry on, it probably would have been allowed. Most airlines (including Delta) only allow 1 carry-on measuring up to 45 linear inches (22x14x9) and one personal item (lap-top, purse, diaper bag.)
Some have tested the system with success, but I wouldn't risk taking the chance.
The policy actually makes sense- think of the mayhem If everyone brought a carry-on, a box of booze, and a personal item. Fighting for overhead bin space would really be even more interesting.
If the box of booze was your only carry on, it probably would have been allowed. Most airlines (including Delta) only allow 1 carry-on measuring up to 45 linear inches (22x14x9) and one personal item (lap-top, purse, diaper bag.)
Some have tested the system with success, but I wouldn't risk taking the chance.
The policy actually makes sense- think of the mayhem If everyone brought a carry-on, a box of booze, and a personal item. Fighting for overhead bin space would really be even more interesting.
I disagree. I think contacting Del Christensen's office will help since this is an economic development issue and they have been in talks witht he airlines to adjust policy for months.
Ex. Charging for additional checked items was eliminated in the case of liquor by AA.
The elected officials and the business community as well as the tourism bureau can have this discussion with the airlines and should.
After all... why sell liquor at the airport otherwise? It would be totally pointless.
Ex. Charging for additional checked items was eliminated in the case of liquor by AA.
The elected officials and the business community as well as the tourism bureau can have this discussion with the airlines and should.
After all... why sell liquor at the airport otherwise? It would be totally pointless.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
We routinely bring duty free bags onto planes from Schipol, Heathrow and Frankfurt. They are sealed and marked as such and you are not permitted to open them on the plane.
Considering that this store was not even open yet on Tuesday, I suspect this is a settling in issue.
Cheers, RickG
Considering that this store was not even open yet on Tuesday, I suspect this is a settling in issue.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Box o booze arrived intact by noon today. I agree with Rick that there will likely be a "settling in" curve.
Hmmm. I hadn't thought about why they seal/tape the box up so tight. It may be more than convienince.
Hmmm. I hadn't thought about why they seal/tape the box up so tight. It may be more than convienince.
Last edited by Steve S on Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
. We still have a good foot of snow on the ground and I'll be xc skiing this weekend.
Carry-on liquor is fine, but then check your roll-aboard. The issue is space- there's only so much room. A waiver for a second checked bag / box is one thing. Carry-on limits makes sense so we all can share the limited space.Gromit wrote:...The elected officials and the business community as well as the tourism bureau can have this discussion with the airlines and should.
After all... why sell liquor at the airport otherwise? It would be totally pointless.
I wonder if they look at the checked bottles ?
Sure could use a Cruzan 151 proof on my bar -
the price of around 10 $ was amazing.
They don't allow the higher proof on planes-
but that's for our safety I guess
But I'm very happy with my recent trip and bottle selection..
Continental got it back for me !!
and thanks Ruth for the St. John grill rub-having it on a nice nice broil tommorrow.
Too bad NY taxes the sh*t out the booze.
No snow on ground ..Yea
Scoob
Sure could use a Cruzan 151 proof on my bar -
the price of around 10 $ was amazing.
They don't allow the higher proof on planes-
but that's for our safety I guess
But I'm very happy with my recent trip and bottle selection..
Continental got it back for me !!
and thanks Ruth for the St. John grill rub-having it on a nice nice broil tommorrow.
Too bad NY taxes the sh*t out the booze.
No snow on ground ..Yea
Scoob