USVI-On-Line

knock on wood, but we always get a porter, tip well and have never had a problem. never had a rude customs guy or TSA person. The only rudeness we have encountered are people that show up too late to the airport and then act like they deserve special treatment and bitch in line the whole time about the crisis they caused themselves.

definitely they say don't try to chat up or start a conversation with customs, but when they talk to us, we always talk back and they have been pleasant and have even teased our kids a bit. (it probably doesnt hurt that we have read our kids the riot act and they look scared to death).

But basically, all will be fine if you get there in time like the others said. and one other thing and that is that the return flights for many airlines have even less food available than the flight there, so be prepared.

It does stink to have to wait so long after you go through because at least for us, our experience has been that it hasn't taken that long in line. We do have priority status 'cause husband flies alot though, so that helps the line with the airlines...

I think what Vicki meant was "take ALL of your piercings out." Funny, the tongue stud always sets off the magnetometer, but the Prince Albert never does.

The biggest issue for us is the US Air checkin line on busy Saturdays. We frequently travel on United from DC and end up on a code share US Air flight on the way home. US Air seems to carry a large percentage of the cruise ship bovines who are on migration, rather than vacation. The large ruminants seem to travel with two oversized & overweight checked bags per person, so the repacking exercise, by those who cannot bend at the waist, while physically blocking the ticket counter proceeds while the line grows. This is when Sweet Christine starts humming the tune to "If I had a rocket launcher."

The best way to avoid that particular little bit of American Paradise is the porter w/checked bags or pre-printed boarding passes for carryon only. Recommended.

For pre-printed boarding passes and carryon only we arrive two hours early. For any other case we allocate 45 minutes of line time.

We also like to bring food or grab lunch right before the airport.

Cheers, RickG

Ooooook, we'll put Prince Albert in a can

Thanks for all this great info, everyone. I'm not happy unless I plan things to death and completely crush any iota of spontaneity and discovery.

(Half kidding)

Do we need passports to go from the U.S. to St. John and back? My family has them but we're bringing my Mom along this summer and she doesn't. Does she need to get one or his her driver's license enough?