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Re SXM Covid testing.....
#254564
05/01/2021 01:21 PM
05/01/2021 01:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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Can anyone explain to me what I’m missing here?
We had our SXM Covid testing done Thursday morning for our flight home on Friday at MedWorks in Simpson Bay. Appointments made and paid on line and very prompt as far as no back-ups. A slight glitch in that the lab itself neglected to send our results back to the collection point but that all worked itself out eventually. All this to the tune of $140.00 total for both of us for the rapid antigen test since we’d both already received our vaccinations prior to traveling from home.
Now here’s my question. WHY? At no point or time at PJIA did anyone ask to see them or if we had gotten them done. I kept asking at every stop - check-in, passport control, TSA and finally at the gate and not one person asked for them. NOPE! So I’m thinking maybe as we actually board the plane they will check them. NOPE! Then I thought perhaps the results were emailed to the airport in SXM in advance of departure or perhaps to C & I Border Patrol at our point of US entry which for us was MiamI. NOPE! I could understand maybe one of us slipping by without shoepwing them but both of us and at every possible spot? Really?
Has anyone else returning of late had to show these swabbing confirmations or is this just another means of raising revenues? I really don’t think the latter is the case but I just don’t get the necessity of making people jump through yet another set of hoops. Both my DH and I now have one more souvenir from what was a lovely vacation.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Re SXM Covid testing.....
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#254637
05/02/2021 08:29 AM
05/02/2021 08:29 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575
Ohio
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It's a US requirement, not a money grab for St Maarten. Really up to the airlines to check before boarding and C&I to check on US entry. Some people not doing their jobs. Supprised? LOL While it is a US requirement, you can bet SXM is making some $$ on it and so far, the mandatory travel insurance has been a cash cow.
J.D.
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Re: Re SXM Covid testing.....
[Re: pat]
#254643
05/02/2021 09:52 AM
05/02/2021 09:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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Pat--sounds like whoever was in charge that day you left, didn't know what they were doing. Not unusual, anywhere in the world, I guess, but concerning regardless. Hopefully everyone got their tests as required.
Carol Hill
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Re: Re SXM Covid testing.....
[Re: eilandmens]
#254713
05/03/2021 08:49 AM
05/03/2021 08:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422
Rhode Island
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We were checked at check-in in late March for a return flight on United. Did you go through check- In or did get boarding passes on line? We got boarding passes on line but were checked for paperwork the moment we entered airport in March 2021
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Re: Re SXM Covid testing.....
[Re: pat]
#254718
05/03/2021 09:08 AM
05/03/2021 09:08 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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We were not able to check in on line snd stood in line at PJIA at the check-in counter. At every juncture when someone might have checked it, not one person asked for our island Covid test results. I kept offering it snd was told each time they didn’t need it and only wanted to see our passports. It was bizarre since it was mandatory. I guess just a bit of confusion?
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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