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Tell me about porter service at STT
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:08 am
by Maggy
Last time I was traveling from STT I was in a line to checkin for almost 1,5 hours. I had luggage to check in of course.
Can someone tell me how the porter service works at STT. Can you have luggage or is it for carryon only? Where do you find these porters? How much does it cost and what are they actually doing for you?
We're leaving a Saturday in late April and will be coming in from Virgin Gorda in the morning, so I'm trying to see how we can make this work smoothly.
Thanks for your help/K
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:32 am
by Florida Girl
We've used the porters twice and it's the BEST! They take your luggage (yes you can have luggage, not just carry-on) and load it on a cart, then they go to the head of the line and get all your bags checked-in and then they accompany you to the security area. You don't have to stand in line AT ALL, you just zip through. We always give them a $20 tip, and I have to admit it's the best $20 you'll ever spend. I would never stand in line again with that service available.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:34 am
by Maggy
That sounds great. Where do we find them? Is there a line for them or how do we recognize them?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:53 am
by PA Girl
Someone correct me if I am wrong but a while back I heard that the system changed a little bit and porters were no longer allowed to jump the line. Is that true?
During our visit last month, we used Daphne and she checked all 7 of us in (as well as another group) and took us to a special customs line and then to a seperate security area.
She loads your luggage on a cart, takes your passports and your credit card (if you need to pay to check your luggage) to the counter, gets your luggage tags and boarding passes and escorts you through C & I and delivers you to security. She will take your luggage to the security belts.
I don't remember the cost as my husband handled it.
When we returned, I posted about how I was surprised because I thought porters weren't allowed to jump the lines anymore.
Someone responded that she is head of the porters and is granted special access. I will try to find that post.
We got hooked up with Daphne through Christopher, our private taxi driver. I have her phone # at home. It is best to call ahead.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:58 am
by Maggy
Thank you PA Girl for that information. I hope someone with special knowledge about this can fill us in. I was actually wondering if the airlines were all fine with porters jumping the line. I sounds a little too good to be true

.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:02 am
by PA Girl
Here is the thread I mentioned -
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=#252957
for our last trip, we were in first class so we walked right up to the counter. She met us there and pulled the rest of our party out of the regular line and checked them in.
It does sound too good to be true and I am amazed that such a system exists.
I would think any cab driver would call ahead to have a porter waiting for you.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:19 am
by Maggy
OK, thanks. We'll see what happens then and if someone else chime in with suggestions.
I think I'm lucky this time that we have a Speedy's ferry from VG coming in to CA at 10:15, so hopefully the terminal won't be that full before noon. Our flight is at 2 something, but it would be nice to have time to grab something to eat before the flight to EWR.
Thanks again for the help

.
Karin
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:24 am
by waterguy
Dualphine I think is her name I just try to look lost and she always finds me.

Then again I look lost alot.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:27 am
by Maggy
waterguy wrote:Dualphine I think is her name I just try to look lost and she always finds me.

Then again I look lost alot.

OK, I can do that!!
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:26 pm
by bayer40601
Daphne's #340-743-6563. She's the best
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 1:23 pm
by Florida Girl
Karin, when we used the porters I'm sure it was before things changed, but they were just hanging out in front of the terminal looking for anyone who wanted to use them.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 1:33 pm
by bayer40601
There are still benefits to using porters.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:32 pm
by Maggy
Thanks for all the help. I will write the phone number down.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:40 pm
by Connie
We always use Daphne. She seems to be one of the bosses around there.
I still feel really guilty though when there's a long line.
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:07 pm
by bobob1916
We have a flight around 8AM....what time does the airport open up? We are travelling on a Sunday if that matters at all?