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Porter Fees at the Airport
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 4:28 pm
by CariBert
Does anyone here know how much the Porters charge for taking your bags through to customs when leaving STT? I don't seem to remember what the charge is for the Porter and per bag. We have a newbie traveling with us, and we are trying to nail down how much cash she shoul dbring with her on vacation
Thanks in advance. 
-Bert
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:53 pm
by waterguy
Ialways give her 20.00
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 10:45 pm
by Ron in South Texas
I gave him $20, also. He was a happy camper..
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:55 am
by INfamily
We just left STT last Saturday and intended to use a porter at the airport. When we arrived, there was no line at all (not normal!), so we just proceeded on our own.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:53 am
by RonUSVI
Usually 2 or 3 dollars per bag. How many bags will they have that they have to plan ahead to have enough money? lol
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:42 pm
by Xislandgirl
We used Daphne a few weeks ago and were charged $10 per person.
It was worth every penny!
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 2:05 pm
by Pia
I have paid (in the past) $20.00 for 1 bag and moi 
I arrived to find about 130 people in line at AA - after being on the 6am ferry from St John and a large "to go" coffee it was the best $20 ever spent
The people in the taxi with me, who did not use a porter, showed up at the gate (we were on the same flight) 1.5 hours later - they were running and very rushed and almost didn't make it.
Pia
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:37 pm
by SOonthebeach
Wait, wait, wait! So I am a complete loser who obviously has missed this in the million times we have been. So when you have a porter you skip the customs line?
We have been lucky enough to usually have only a small line (or no line), so I really never noticed, but this last Feb the line was nuts! We waited forever, and were glad that we had taken an earlier ferry
You just never know what you will learn, even after visiting 13 plus times!! OK, go ahead and laugh at me now....
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:48 pm
by Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
We've never used a porter. Yes, you get to jump ahead of the line if you do so. I have always felt like it was a bit unfair, that people would get special treatment just by paying someone to move them up the line. That's not how I live my life. We get there 3 hours in advance and do it according to the rules.
It will be funny now, if everyone starts to use a porter. The porters will have lines as long as the regular folks like us.
Sorry for the rant but it just seems like an incredibly unfair advantage with porters who cut in the line.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:10 pm
by SOonthebeach
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:24 pm
by Pia
They don't actually "cut" the line there is a dedicated line for porters only.
I also think of it as being very similar as using the "Curbside Check" in the States - you pay the porters and they take your luggage or for no fee you can stand in line at the check in desk inside the airport.
Normally I would be there in plenty of time to check in except the first ferry from St John is (as you know) 6am so arriving earlier was not /is not an option and when you arrive and are number 131 in line a porter with their own dedicated line is a great option.
Pia
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:54 pm
by Florida Girl
It's a bit like paying for preferred parking and better seats at a concert. If you're willing to pay a little more, you get to park closer and go in by way of the VIP line. If you prefer to pay less, you can park at the far side of the parking lot and wait in line for the nosebleed seats. It's not a matter of "fair" or not, it's just another option.
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:01 am
by kingConch
There is a difference. One is access to a private venue for entertainment. The other is access to a government controlled service where they can arrest you if you fail to comply.
Paying for preferential government treatment is not the same as buying a better seat at a concert. It's graft.
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 2:04 am
by kkirk2
I
happily pay my 20 bucks every time. Call it what you want, it works for me
