Talk to me about airport Porters

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:34 pm

Since we are leaving STT on a Saturday, I figure we really need to get a porter. I have never done this before because, well, I am cheap.

Can someone explain the process?

mrsb · Post by **mrsb** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:50 pm

Just catch the eye of one of them while you are in line at the check in and tip them well and you will whiz through the lines except for customs. Best part of leaving if there is a best part.

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:16 pm

Yo...Can't say enough about how to do the departure deal but to grab one of the guys and let them take the worry off you. Do it......God bless...Bill

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:32 pm

I usually have only one bag but if there are lines I use them 100% - I approach one of them with the usual greeting

they then take me to the front of the line, print my boarding passes and check me in and if there is a line for Customs and Immigration they take me to the front via a "side" entrance (if there are only 5 or so people in line they have you wait in line as well) and then take my bag to the X-Ray machine and I tip $10.00 - usual time from start to finish 10 to 15 mins - priceless

Pia

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:33 pm

They ask for 3 dollars per bag pay at the xray machine afe customs I give them 20 for our 4 bags alot of the time customs will have a seperate line for them and they take you through the back door.

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:43 pm

Last trip we used the porter, there was long lines at check in, He went in front of everyone and got our boarding passes for us and wisks us through customs. We had a lot of luggage because of our swim mates, which are motorized water toys and a guitar. We tip him $40.00 and the smile on his face was priceless. Well worth every penny not hear my husband complain about the airport!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:58 pm

Xislandgirl wrote:Since we are leaving STT on a Saturday, I figure we really need to get a porter. I have never done this before because, well, I am cheap.

Can someone explain the process?

Rachel got one for us last time we were there

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:09 pm

Rachel took care of it for us on a return trip too. We have only traveled on Saturday's due to my husband's schedule, but I can tell you that it is always a zoo and we travel off season as well. It is so worth the money. One thing we just figured out is that they do check you in at the front of the line to get your boarding passes. One time we weren't quite in the know and waited in that line first, then got the porter (pre Rachel). Have fun on your trip!!

Robin in NC · Post by **Robin in NC** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:18 pm

Using the porters is the single best travel tip I can offer. We skipped a line that would have been at least an hour and were through everything in ten minutes. That's why God created $20 bills.

Robin

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:56 pm

We had a Saturday departure, too, and on the way to the airport our taxi driver asked everyone in the van if anyone wanted a porter. Since I had "insider information" from here on the forum, I knew to pipe up with a resounding "Yes. I do!" and he got the porter for us when we pulled up in front of the airport. We were whizzed up to the front, the porter got us all our boarding passes & bag tags, and and we were inside having something to eat while the other people in our cab were still sweating it out in the line out front. We tipped him $20 and I still say that's the best $20 we ever spent!

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:14 am

Ask Rachel.....she got us the best lady who had us through in 10 minutes from the time we got out of Rachel's van. The best way to go!

VayCay · Post by **VayCay** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:53 pm

is this neccessary if you have only carry-on and print your tickets prior to arriving at the airport?
I wouldn't think so, but i wanna make sure

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:52 am

The best way to go??? When it is crowded it is the ONLY way to go!

When we got there this year it was a Sunday morning and we arrived before what little crowd there was. So we didn't use one. Last year was a different story. It was the best $20 we spent in the VI.

JIM

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