Advice Request: Car Barge to STJ on a Saturday

[JohnM]

My family will be arriving on a Saturday in November for 10 days on STJ. Our Continental flight lands at 140pm.

If we rent from Budget, Dependable, or Discount beforehand, will be have enough time to make one of the car barge trips over to STJ? I'm concerned because collecting our luggage & renting the car will take time, and Saturday seems to be the busiest arrival day. Plus, traffic to Red Hook might be a mess.

Otherwise, we'll taxi to RH, take the passenger ferry, and rent our vehicle on STJ.

Thanks for any comments & suggestions.

JohnM

[Puddlejumper]

If all the scheduling god's that rule airline schedules cooperate that day, you will have no problem picking up your car and making it to Red Hook that time of year. I just arrived a few weeks ago at the same time and had no problem. I, however, would not rent from Budget. I have read too many customer complaints about them. I have rented from Dependable and Discount several times. Both are great companies. Discount does offer some help on St John if you have a vehicle breakdown beyond a flat tire.
Loyd

[vav]

I don't know why pepole say don't rent from budget, I have 3 times, different times of the year and have never had a problem. I'm sure that you will find someone that has had a problem with every car rental you can find on st. thomas and
st. john. for every one person that has a problem i'm sure 10 people have not. Budget alows their cars on st. john and that makes them the most convenient being that they are in the airport. And yes you will have time to get to the car barge.

[gibber161]

John, we just got back and our arrival flight was at 3:00pm. We rented from dependable and had a short wait for them to pick us up and bring us to their office. We filled out the paper work and headed out to Red Hook, did our shopping at the Food Center and then onto the car ferry without any worries about the time. So I don't think you would have any problems.

[Pulley]

John, we arrived on 08/25/10 at 3:30 pm on a US Airways flight. Dependable picked us up at the airport and took us to their office, right around the corner, to fill out the paperwork. We then stopped at the Food Center and easily caught the ferry to St. John. I've only rented from Dependable so I can't comment on either of the other two car companies.

[JohnM]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm going to book w/ Discount.

[mahojim]

Good for you, John!
Aside from the other advice given, my 2 cents would be about being on the barge itself; unfortunately I can't for the life of me remember the name of it,-(...anyone...?) but there's an upstairs area available so you can get out of the Jeep, relax, and enjoy the breeze & views on your way there. There's also been a drink stand that serves cold beer, too. I think that's only available if there's enough people/business though.
It's been confusing to me while we peer over the edge at the people who choose to sit in their cars on the way across the Sound. I'd rather enjoy a cold one in the sun, and make a toast to another new adventure on STJ.
Good luck, and always
Smiles-
MJ

[JohnM]

MJ:

Sometimes on the way over or back, we're packed so closely to the adjacent vehicles that the only way out is through the window.

Of course, on those occasions, I'm always parked right next to the garbage truck.

[mahojim]

John-
Too funny.
We usually jump out as soon as we back in. It's well worth the effort; and yes, I've been parked next to that same trash truck...YUM!
Have fun!
MJ