Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,431
Posts310,053
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
pat
pat
Brookfield, CT.
Posts: 14,635
Joined: April 2001
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
47 registered members (StMartinFan, Kathleen, WWII, Memphré, steve74, nevar37, KirkB, SacoFrank, MrEZgoin, Alltech63, cabokid, VirginGordaResident, ColoBoater, pony600, BillDauterive, SoakInSaltwater, foreversxm, Bigdaddy, tmsxmsails, RonDon, lcote, Don_and_Linda, GeorgeC1, Kevin_B, Wahnfried, Zanshin, Matt W, Time Will Tell, camview, jagmansr, JeanneB, Fran, bkigar, YachtReprise, Bakoguy, sailingbob, SXMScubaman, PML, Manpot, 8 invisible), 954 guests, and 72 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Tip for St. Thomas Airport #52192
04/28/2015 11:42 AM
04/28/2015 11:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
T
trawler_kid Offline OP
Traveler
trawler_kid  Offline OP
Traveler
T
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Transiting the St. Thomas Airport from Flight check in to US Customs and Immigration, agriculture, etc. can take well over 2 hours even on a non-busy day. There is a trick which many of the TTOLers probably know but I'll share. When you arrive ask your cab driver to find a redcap type person (often a female, so don't be thrown by that).

Even if you have only a carry-on this works quite well.

The expediter will get you to the front of your airline check-in counter, get you a US Customs and Immigration form and then move you to the front of that line. Then once through that line, you need to pick up your bags and they move them to the recheck zone and finally get you on the fast lane for security. The usually baksheesh for this is $20 for only a bag or two, more for a substantial collection of bags. Once again, this has nothing to do with your bags; it's a form of a local custom to promote full employment. Further, since many folks do it, if you play it straight and don't tip a "helper" , you will be on a line that gets LONGER by the minute as others move to the front.

BVI Sponsors
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: trawler_kid] #52193
04/28/2015 02:12 PM
04/28/2015 02:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
Here's the trick that we use: carryon only, pre-printed boarding passes and pre-filled C&I forms. No need to visit the airline counter, skip the checked bag line for customs. We got through security in less than 30 minutes on Easter Sunday. The customs line for checked bags was longer than the line for immigration. There's a separate TSA Pre-check lane once you go through the TSA checkpoint, but the only benefit is keeping your shoes on.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickG] #52194
04/28/2015 05:56 PM
04/28/2015 05:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
Traveler
sail2wind  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
can take well over 2 hours even on a non-busy day

We have never waited anywhere close to 2 hours. We rarely get there 2 hours early. BTW there is an actual charge for the porter, you can tip on top of the charge.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: sail2wind] #52195
04/28/2015 10:31 PM
04/28/2015 10:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Quote
sail2wind said:
can take well over 2 hours even on a non-busy day

We have never waited anywhere close to 2 hours. We rarely get there 2 hours early. BTW there is an actual charge for the porter, you can tip on top of the charge.


We've had several occasions where we took 2 hours to get to the gate. In fact in 2009 the announcement was made that Delta was about to close the cabin while we were still in security check. It was about 30 minutes early. Also what is the actual charge for the porter as it's always been discussed here as a tip.

Last edited by RickinAtlanta; 04/28/2015 11:30 PM.
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickinAtlanta] #52196
04/28/2015 11:51 PM
04/28/2015 11:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
Traveler
sail2wind  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
of course

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport #52197
04/29/2015 09:33 AM
04/29/2015 09:33 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Buckeye Country
P
pastinaman Offline
Traveler
pastinaman  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Buckeye Country
Is there a place to get the C&I forms before hitting the airport to fill them out beforehand?

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: trawler_kid] #52198
04/29/2015 09:57 AM
04/29/2015 09:57 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
calsail Offline
Traveler
calsail  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
Even on a busy day thru AA we never have more than a 30 minute time from check in to sit down in terminal waiting area. We are there twice a year--August and March and it is never extreme. AA has self check as well as self bag check. However, we are always 1 1/2 hours early. Are we just lucky??

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: pastinaman] #52199
04/29/2015 11:40 AM
04/29/2015 11:40 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
Traveler
tradewinds  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
Quote
pastinaman said:
Is there a place to get the C&I forms before hitting the airport to fill them out beforehand?


We usually grab extras either from the ferry ticket desk or at C&I at the ferry dock.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: calsail] #52200
04/29/2015 01:21 PM
04/29/2015 01:21 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Online crying
Traveler
Manpot  Online Crying
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Hate to say it but I think you are lucky..get there at lunchtime when many flights seem to leave and you be in long lines before you get through. I would always leave a 2 hour minimum more like 2 and a half..this last time through was a loooong haul. One thing we do to speed things up is get a second c and i form from the ferry company so we are ready to go right through to c and i at the airport..

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Manpot] #52201
04/29/2015 01:53 PM
04/29/2015 01:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 32
C
CanadianSailor Offline
Traveler
CanadianSailor  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 32
You also have to fill out the Customs Card at the airport even if you have already filled one out when arriving by ferry from the BVIs. We got sent to the back of the line to fill out the card. Being Canadians we assumed that the USVI was US Territory and, as such, would not require the customs card to be filled out since we were flying back to the U.S. mainland. We also a decent last of the trip Painkiller in the airport bar before we left..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: CanadianSailor] #52202
04/29/2015 02:34 PM
04/29/2015 02:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
We use the electronic customs form and have copies printed with our details.

http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%206059B%20English%20%28Fillable%29_0.pdf

Otherwise, you need to pick up an extra form on the ferry, at C&I when you leave the ferry or get one from your airline counter.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Manpot] #52203
04/29/2015 02:44 PM
04/29/2015 02:44 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
C
Cleobeach Offline
Traveler
Cleobeach  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
Quote
Manpot said:
Hate to say it but I think you are lucky..get there at lunchtime when many flights seem to leave and you be in long lines before you get through. I would always leave a 2 hour minimum more like 2 and a half..this last time through was a loooong haul. One thing we do to speed things up is get a second c and i form from the ferry company so we are ready to go right through to c and i at the airport..


I think the STT airport operates in its own universe, by its own set of very dysfunctional rules.

Most of our VI vacations are on STJ (with a few trips to the BVIs) and I agree, that does sound like either luck or travel during off peak times.

The peak times can be epic and unless you see the crowds spilling out into the parking area, I can see how someone would think 2+ hours is overkill.

We started getting a porter 10 years ago and haven't looked back. I know that past two times, the self-check in was down so people had no choice but to wait in line.

Next trip, we are flying home on a Monday in July. I'll report back on those crowds. (Or lack of crowds)

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickG] #52204
04/29/2015 02:59 PM
04/29/2015 02:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
Dmgators Offline
Traveler
Dmgators  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
Quote
RickG said:
We use the electronic customs form and have copies printed with our details.

http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%206059B%20English%20%28Fillable%29_0.pdf



Rick, do they actually accept the printed electronic forms??? That just seems way too easy and logical! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Debbie
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Dmgators] #52205
04/29/2015 03:06 PM
04/29/2015 03:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
Traveler
tradewinds  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
Quote
Dmgators said:
Quote
RickG said:
We use the electronic customs form and have copies printed with our details.

http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%206059B%20English%20%28Fillable%29_0.pdf



Rick, do they actually accept the printed electronic forms??? That just seems way too easy and logical! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


I was just gonna ask the same thing <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: calsail] #52206
04/29/2015 09:24 PM
04/29/2015 09:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925
Milton, MA
JudyG Offline
Traveler
JudyG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925
Milton, MA
Quote
calsail said:
Even on a busy day thru AA we never have more than a 30 minute time from check in to sit down in terminal waiting area. We are there twice a year--August and March and it is never extreme. AA has self check as well as self bag check. However, we are always 1 1/2 hours early. Are we just lucky??


Very lucky and you are going in August (low season) and March (end of high season); also depends on what time of day. We have seen folks show up 1.5 hrs. in advance and barely make it.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: JudyG] #52207
04/29/2015 09:37 PM
04/29/2015 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
hallucination Offline
Traveler
hallucination  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
My favorite is the Pre-V line....you get to wait in the line (with everyone else)...and keep your shoes on...after they spend 5 minutes telling you that you can do so...unless you wear birkenstocks because the brass buckle will set off the electromometerthingamagingthing.. as you watch everyone else go by. And by the way, if you bought one of those clasp bracelets with the anchor/dolphin on them...un clasp it...because it will set off the magnitomitorthingamagingnything. and at the end...you wait for you Pre-V wifey for an additional 15 minutes and end up saving the table at the bar while she gets numificated by the TSA. And she meets you with a beer in your hand.

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2015/02/18/tsa-precheckR-expands-cyril-e-king-airport

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: sail2wind] #52208
04/29/2015 10:09 PM
04/29/2015 10:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Quote
sail2wind said:
of course


and what is the actual charge prior to a tip please since many have posted that a 2 hour clearance isn't unusual after all and a porter would help?

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Dmgators] #52209
04/29/2015 10:31 PM
04/29/2015 10:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
Quote
Dmgators said:
Rick, do they actually accept the printed electronic forms??? That just seems way too easy and logical! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Yep, printed forms are no problem. They come right off the CBP web site. We've never even had a question.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickG] #52210
04/30/2015 01:54 AM
04/30/2015 01:54 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
Traveler
tradewinds  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
Quote
RickG said:
Quote
Dmgators said:
Rick, do they actually accept the printed electronic forms??? That just seems way too easy and logical! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Cool, thanks! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Yep, printed forms are no problem. They come right off the CBP web site. We've never even had a question.

Cheers, RickG

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickinAtlanta] #52211
04/30/2015 09:54 AM
04/30/2015 09:54 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
Dmgators Offline
Traveler
Dmgators  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
Quote
RickinAtlanta said:
Quote
sail2wind said:
of course


and what is the actual charge prior to a tip please since many have posted that a 2 hour clearance isn't unusual after all and a porter would help?


Rick, I think it is $3.00 per bag. That of course, may be subject to change, as is the whole procedure with the porters. It has never gone the same once since we started using them several years ago. Always a good deal though, that's for sure!


Debbie
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Dmgators] #52212
04/30/2015 09:56 AM
04/30/2015 09:56 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Quote
Dmgators said:
Quote
RickinAtlanta said:
Quote
sail2wind said:
of course


and what is the actual charge prior to a tip please since many have posted that a 2 hour clearance isn't unusual after all and a porter would help?


Rick, I think it is $3.00 per bag. That of course, may be subject to change, as is the whole procedure with the porters. It has never gone the same once since we started using them several years ago. Always a good deal though, that's for sure!


Thanks for the clarification Deb <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: tradewinds] #52213
04/30/2015 10:07 AM
04/30/2015 10:07 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline
Traveler
tpcook  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
Great, I have saved a filled out copy on my computer so it's there to print out and use.


tpcook
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: tradewinds] #52214
04/30/2015 03:17 PM
04/30/2015 03:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 144
Ontario Canada
S
snowflakesRus Offline
Traveler
snowflakesRus  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 144
Ontario Canada
Thanks for posting the link. Saving that one for sure.


Beth
May 9-20 Hodges Creek, Marine Max Powercat 484!

[Linked Image]
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: trawler_kid] #52215
05/02/2015 09:50 PM
05/02/2015 09:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
T
trawler_kid Offline OP
Traveler
trawler_kid  Offline OP
Traveler
T
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
We give the porter $20 regardless of how many bags. Anyone that says that they can get though STT in 30 minutes must be traveling on Tuesday in August. For the weekend fall/winter/spring traveler 2 hours is the norm. Pay the $20 and you wait on no line whatsoever until the security checkpoint. That's three lines you skip.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: trawler_kid] #52216
05/03/2015 09:48 AM
05/03/2015 09:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
trawler_kid, we did it in under 30 minutes Easter morning and about 30 minutes in January. Pre-printed boarding pass, pre-printed C&I form, carryon only - that's three lines you skip. Carryon only means you skip the line for the checked bagged scanners where the cruise ship people stack up.

Not everyone can go carryon only and the porter is a great resource for them.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: RickG] #52217
05/03/2015 10:15 AM
05/03/2015 10:15 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
Traveler
tradewinds  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
I flew home on Good Friday, and there were maybe 30 people in the line for C&I. When we flew home last August, the line was out the door and 3/4 of the way down the terminal. Getting a porter saved our asses.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: trawler_kid] #52218
05/03/2015 07:48 PM
05/03/2015 07:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 58
Virginia
GBCarib Offline
Traveler
GBCarib  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 58
Virginia
I recognize many of these posts are based on particular experiences on specific day. However, after many trip in and out of STT and EIS, my best advice is to not reduce your daily rum ration on the day you're heading home - this approach will make all of the unexpected insanity more tolerable.

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: GBCarib] #52219
05/04/2015 11:26 AM
05/04/2015 11:26 AM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 34
Pennsylvania USA
D
Dlucerne Offline
Traveler
Dlucerne  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 34
Pennsylvania USA
I love the idea of the red-cap porters and have already printed off my pre-printed US C&I forms for each of us.

What about the trip into BVI from STT via ferry...is there a way to print off some UK C&I forms and have them pre-printed as well to save time/hassle?


........................................................................................................
If I keep on drinking rum, the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel!
Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Dlucerne] #52220
05/04/2015 01:00 PM
05/04/2015 01:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
California
Sunnykm Offline
Traveler
Sunnykm  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
California
We just flew home via STT on Friday. We arrived at 630am for our 8am flight. I used the AA self check-in and was through in 30 minutes. Everyone else in my group (4) used the check-in counters and it took them probably 30 minutes longer.

The kiosks are tricky. They won't read a passport and everyone gave up. I used my record locator number and got through in a couple minutes.

I saw the porters but didn't feel I needed the help. I had one checked bag.

Btw. Trip report soon! We were six ladies on a cat!

Re: Tip for St. Thomas Airport [Re: Dlucerne] #52221
05/04/2015 01:02 PM
05/04/2015 01:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
California
Sunnykm Offline
Traveler
Sunnykm  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
California
It only took a minute to fill out the forms for entry. If you make a mistake use only one line to cross thru the error :-)

What flummoxed our group was only one pen amongst us-- pack a pen!


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1