STT Airport "Traveler Abuse"

[Steve S]

Geez, flew out of St. Thomas yesterday and it was a busy day. People arriving early to wait in a very long check-in line (we avoided by using on line check in). Customs had very short waits (scrambled to fill out the declarations sheet that requires a passport number now.) Security took forever for some reason only 2 of 5 lines open. People finally getting into the waiting area had to wait through a 35 minute line for something to eat or drink. No liquids are allowed through security, yet there are no beverages sold in the gift shop, no drink machines, not even the snack cart I saw there once. Seems to me that in a hot and dry place like the VI, they would have plenty of places to purchase hydration in the airport waiting area.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest. I have a short trip report and a review of my Olympus 770 SW coming in the next few days.

[Buddles]

I had a similar situation on Saturday, probably compounded by Friday's east coast storm. We arrived one hour prior to boarding time. This was not nearly enough time. American Airlines had individual checkin lines for each flight. There was no line for our flight. Fortunately we had checked in from where we were staying. I finally found the self check-in kiosk. (I don't know why more people were not using this.) I told the lady that we already had boarding passes. When she heard that we were on the Boston flight, she panicked. She printed out our lugguage tags and sent us ahead of everyone in the customs line. Security went okay. It was a pleasure having chairs to sit in on the other side to put on your shoes. The no water in the gift shop was a major problem. I guess the cafeteria sells water. I couldn't even find the cafeteria. It was a major zoo.

[Jerseyboy]

I'm surprised that the STT airport was that busy on a Tuesday. We usually arrive/leave on Saturday's and I assumed that was always the busiest day.

The cafeteria/bar has beverages available for purchase. Was it closed? Also, I think there are water fountains near the restrooms way to the left as you face the gates, not that I usually drink from them.

And finally, I'm anxiously waiting for your Olympus 770 SW review and TR.

[cypressgirl]

We had a 7:40a.m. flight last Sun. and arrived about 6:15. I could not believe the line at the AA counter. Luckily we were only doing carry on and printed our boarding passes the night before. To me, that's the only way to go. Had no problems getting thru customs. I even had 2 zip lock bags of liquid items (my mistake)and they did not seem to care.

I did take note that the cafeteria opened about 6:45 and the gift shop a little sooner. There is a water fountain by the bathrooms. I took my big container of coffee on board and no one cared.

[CariBert]

In a nut shell, how did the 770 perform? Did you like it? Thumbs up or down?

-Bert

[Steve S]

Nutshell- Thumbs up. Would recommend. Picture quality amazing right on the card, no software filtering needed. The 7 mp lets you zoom and crop and still have a clear picture. Screen has easily adjustable brightness, takes some getting used to in direct sunlight. Movies are good. Battery works a little over an hour or so with screen brightness up. I bought a backup battery which was readily available. Two half gig cards lasted me a week. Purchased from onecall - blue model. Free fedex delivery.

[chicagoans]

This might seem like a stupid question, but where and how did you print your boarding passes? I always do this at home for my outbound flights, but for return trips I feel stuck. Did you bring a laptop and hook up to a printer at the villa? Or did you do this in town somewhere?

It kind of makes me laugh when a villa mentions Internet access as an amenity, because I want to get away from email etc. But pre-printing your boarding passes is a big plus!

[Ron_L]

Two half gig cards lasted me a week.

So my 4G card is overkill, huh?

Thanks for the quickie review. I'm looking forward to the trip report and full review.

[sunlover]

we were there last saturday, too. we were supposed to fly out last friday but our flight was cancelled. Of course, they didn't tell us that until we were already through security and customs. we flew usair to PHL -- we waited FOUR HOURS at the ticket counter to check in. It was MADNESS because 2 flights were cancelled on Sat too, and we heard there were no available seats on flights out until tuesday - which probably explains why the airport was still so crowded. Our flight was ONLY five hours late -- but at least it departed! The STT airport is the worst place on earth.

[Diana2]

chicagoans, I do the internet checkin with American. If you are unable to print your boarding passes just go the the American kiosk and print your boarding passes from there.

The kiosk is great. Don't know why more people don't use them. I always do the online checkin and when I get to the airport I can go directly to the kiosk and check the bags and print the boarding passes from there. All those people standing in line get pretty P.O.'d when you sail through ahead of them.

[chicagoans]

There's nothing like a bad return flight/airport hassle to bring you back to reality way too fast!

Great idea to check in from on island, then print boarding passes at the kiosk. Maybe I can talk one of my fellow travelers into bringing a laptop! (A great blender is about as high-tech as I want to get on vacation.)

Maybe the moral of the story is... we should all just stay on St. John!

[cat]

I have a 2G, and 3 1Gs. I take a lot of pics!!!! I just got a cannon power shot SD600. I also got the waterproof case for it! I can't wait to use it! I have been tempted to take pics in the bathtub but haven't gone that far yet! That olympus is the one that is waterproof isn't it! I am definitly jealous!

[CShell1019]

Just flew out of STT this afternoon at 3:40. Not sure why all the complaints as there are still folks on island who couldn't get off until as late as tomorrow because of all the canceled flights to the NE! But that aside, I unloaded the car, the porter took my email "ticket," keyed in the locator number on the screen and had my boarding pass lickety split ... people were glaring as they stood in long lines! Uh folks! Filled out customs there at the counter (since I didn't have the new form - helps to have that filled out ahead of time - stop on your way in or pick up extra for next time as you leave and they always had your passport info on them) while the porter was printing the luggage tags. Was about a 2 minute wait for the inspector - a bit of a hummmm moment since he really didn't wanna believe that I really didn't buy much and made a big tadoo about no cigs or booze (which I never buy and was I really really sure?). Met porter who had luggage. TSA was a pain but typical (I forgot to take the qt. plastic bag out of the carryon - it was sitting on top with 3 things in it! Think I was too busy looking for a can to throw the water bottle into) but the guy was polite and reminded me that I needed to do that next time. All and all it took about 15 - 20 minutes but if we tell everyone, it won't be as quick next time!!!!
Heard all sorts of horror stories about everyone Friday on (including my son who was stuck in SJU for an extra 10 hours Sat!) and my host for Sat nite on VG couldn't get there so I was "homeless" until I found a hotel room! but weather is something that no one can do a damn thing about no matter how cranky one gets! (and I've had plenty of experience with delays and weather messes!). It's an agent's worst nightmare too when flights are canceled!

And my g'baby had her first Caribb bannana smoothie in SJU as they ran low on baby food and rationed her formula so they didn't have to do a grub run!

And It was a WONDERFUL as I remembered ... met every expectation!

[tonyadams]

So, this may sound simple but how do you get a porter?

[flip-flop]

My experience with finding a porter is that they find you. IN the good old days when we traveled more lightly (pre-kids) we were rarely approached. The last time we traveled with more bags than people to carry them the porter made a beeline for us. BEST money I even spent. He took us all the way through.