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New luggage scanner SXM Airport #78581
12/16/2015 05:59 PM
12/16/2015 05:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 304
N
NakedAsAJaybird Offline OP
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NakedAsAJaybird  Offline OP
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FYI Plan on spending a few extra minutes as you leave the baggage claim area in SXM to exit the Airport. All luggage is now being scanned and some luggage searched before leaving.

SXM Sponsors
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78582
12/16/2015 06:16 PM
12/16/2015 06:16 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,045
COMMACK, NY
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LONGISLANDSHARON Offline
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COMMACK, NY
really, that makes a lot of sense.....NOT.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: LONGISLANDSHARON] #78583
12/16/2015 06:20 PM
12/16/2015 06:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
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bonsie Offline
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bonsie  Offline
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MILford,CT.
Is this meant to be a joke?

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78584
12/16/2015 06:53 PM
12/16/2015 06:53 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
Scanned AFTER it is taken off the plane??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: bonsie] #78585
12/16/2015 07:07 PM
12/16/2015 07:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 304
N
NakedAsAJaybird Offline OP
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NakedAsAJaybird  Offline OP
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Not a joke. Yes, scanned after it is unloaded from the plane and you pick it up at the carousel. It happened just before you go to walk down the hallway to exit Airport. My next door neighbor was pulled out of line (a long, slow line) on Monday as she was trying to exit the airport. Her luggage (and everyone else's) was put through a scanner, then hand searched. She had vitamins in her checked bag. Enough for her 3 month stay and it took her 15 mins to get them to let her keep them. She did make the mistake of not having them in their original containers (had them in baggies, marked on outside what they were.) So, I can understand them wanting to confiscate. Wish I was kidding. if anyone else has had this experience, please post because I wasn't there.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78586
12/16/2015 07:30 PM
12/16/2015 07:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,470
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
OK, that's weird. Never heard of that before. I guess they are looking for drugs or handguns or other contraband??


Carol Hill
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Carol_Hill] #78587
12/16/2015 07:38 PM
12/16/2015 07:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 304
N
NakedAsAJaybird Offline OP
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NakedAsAJaybird  Offline OP
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Have no idea, Carol. I'm not against extra searches, just not interested in standing in line again after a long day of Airports, TSA, Imigration, Customs etc.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Carol_Hill] #78588
12/16/2015 07:48 PM
12/16/2015 07:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 252
M
mmk Offline
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They probably had a tip thus the scanner. Many countries XRAY luggage prior to letting you leave the secure customs/immigration area. Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago, Chile, scan all arriving luggage, Mexico City if you get the red light. Certainly not too common but it is being done.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78589
12/16/2015 07:50 PM
12/16/2015 07:50 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 32
Central Florida/SXM
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Bianca Offline
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Bianca  Offline
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 32
Central Florida/SXM
What airline was your neighbor on ? Know they usually do this on Insel Air flights from Curacao. Have not heard it done on other airlines. Hopefully not a new trend.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Bianca] #78590
12/16/2015 08:01 PM
12/16/2015 08:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 304
N
NakedAsAJaybird Offline OP
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NakedAsAJaybird  Offline OP
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Posts: 304
She was on American, but she said they were scanning other Airlines too.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78591
12/16/2015 09:04 PM
12/16/2015 09:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 203
SXM
dlbert Offline
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dlbert  Offline
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Posts: 203
SXM
Same as in India

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: dlbert] #78592
12/16/2015 09:19 PM
12/16/2015 09:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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CT
Just checked bags, or carry-ons too?


[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: pony600] #78593
12/16/2015 09:23 PM
12/16/2015 09:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 304
N
NakedAsAJaybird Offline OP
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NakedAsAJaybird  Offline OP
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Posts: 304
Neighbor didn't say anything about carry on luggage, but it sounded like all luggage.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78594
12/16/2015 09:32 PM
12/16/2015 09:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
eilandmens Online content
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eilandmens  Online Content
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Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
They were doing that last March. But they stopped after a while and we were fortunate to get our baggage late so we just left after they stopped.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78595
12/17/2015 08:04 AM
12/17/2015 08:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
Somehow I just can't picture a Saturday arrival day with 3 or 4 big boys arriving at the same time and over a thousand passengers having their bags scanned (and maybe inspected) in THE scanner.

Guess I have to wait a few weeks to see for myself...

I hope it was this
Quote

They probably had a tip thus the scanner
and not a routine occurrence

Last edited by boucharda; 12/17/2015 08:05 AM.
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78596
01/08/2016 02:48 PM
01/08/2016 02:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 48
rastamojo7 Offline
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rastamojo7  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 48
Anyone been recently that can give an update on this?

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78597
01/08/2016 04:55 PM
01/08/2016 04:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
SXMSAMMY Offline
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SXMSAMMY  Offline
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Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
Coming back to the states one year from SXM thru JFK, my luggage was pulled offline and scanned also. It appears that SXM must be scanning all luggage from every were, as all countries are not inspecting/scanning like the US does, so they must becoming more diligent to stop contraband of any type from coming into the country. They might be looking for some tampering by ground personnel in the departure city also.

Last edited by SXMSAMMY; 01/08/2016 04:57 PM.


Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: SXMSAMMY] #78598
01/08/2016 05:01 PM
01/08/2016 05:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 43
3
3dot14 Offline
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3dot14  Offline
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Posts: 43
I had my luggage scanned arriving in the US more than once. They are looking for fruits and meats that you are not supposed to bring in the US. May be they are looking for items you are not supposed to bring to SXM.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: 3dot14] #78599
01/08/2016 05:10 PM
01/08/2016 05:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
I think the question was regarding scanning luggage in SXM not the USA and whether it was still occurring..and since we are arriving on Sunday I am also interested in the answer

Last edited by boucharda; 01/08/2016 05:11 PM.
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78600
01/09/2016 06:47 AM
01/09/2016 06:47 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
wendyk Offline
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wendyk  Offline
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Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
Friends who arrived last weekend did NOT have their luggage scanned.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: wendyk] #78601
01/09/2016 08:22 AM
01/09/2016 08:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Thanks...
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78602
01/09/2016 06:44 PM
01/09/2016 06:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
A couple of years ago boarding plane to leave SXM, I and another woman were pulled aside and asked to show passport. I can't imagine where they thought I'd been between TSA and the gate. But I didn't say anything as to not delay any more.

Another 3 people had to turn over their carry-on and it was opened and insides fondled before they could board plane. No of this makes any sense.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: rastamojo7] #78603
01/09/2016 10:00 PM
01/09/2016 10:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
G
gracie5 Offline
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gracie5  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
Just arrived today on AA.....no scanning.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: gracie5] #78604
01/10/2016 02:01 PM
01/10/2016 02:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
SXMSAMMY Offline
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SXMSAMMY  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
Was the machine there to scan if they decided to scan?



Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: gracie5] #78605
01/10/2016 02:43 PM
01/10/2016 02:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Well, good and bad about our arrival today..

...JB from BOS arrived 5 minutes early...good
...only two planes on the ground at gates..Copa and Sun Country..good
...walked around the corner to immigration and hit the masses of people. Probably not an exaggeration to say it looked like 1000...but...all booths working and 25 minutes to get through..not gross
...bags were waiting for us...good

Then it all fell apart. ALL those people at immigration AND multiple previous flights were in a HUGE line to get bags scanned. Line is incorrect since it was an chaotic, clot of humanity. After 45 minutes getting hardly anywhere I schmoozed up to a custom agent and made small talk AND he took us past hundreds of frustrated people and let us go unscanned. I did not make eye contact with those we passed.

In all it too 1 hour 45 minutes to get out of the airport and that was WITH a significant line bump.

I asked if this happens every day and he said no...only occasionally...

Note: there is only one scanner and one agent doing ALL bag scanning...It was NOT a pretty sight at all...

But it is warm and sunny...good

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78606
01/10/2016 03:18 PM
01/10/2016 03:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,470
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Wow, this is a situation that they need to get resolved. That is terrible.


Carol Hill
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78607
01/10/2016 03:30 PM
01/10/2016 03:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
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Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Wow, that is unbelievable! I wonder what determines"occasionly"?Something is definitely wrong here and needs to be addressed asap.




Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: islandgem] #78608
01/10/2016 04:06 PM
01/10/2016 04:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
KLM passengers were just arriving when we got walked through. I HOPE they d/c'd it then. There was no physical way to fit that many people into that mess.

I will take a survey of my tennis group tomorrow and see if we were the only "lucky" ones. They arrive on different days.

I should add on scanning days maybe they should curtain the PA announcement touting "The best airport in the Caribbean"...it didn't go over too well <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

All's fine now...sitting on the 5th floor deck at SBR looking out at the Bay...maybe with a cold Carib in hand. Oh, did you know COLD six pack at Market Garden costs more than warm beer?...open late on Sunday (same as other days)

Last edited by boucharda; 01/10/2016 04:11 PM.
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: islandgem] #78609
01/10/2016 04:08 PM
01/10/2016 04:08 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
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Bahston Offline
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They're apparently not using that scanner every day or for every flight. I wonder if the Copa flight was the trigger?

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78610
01/10/2016 04:23 PM
01/10/2016 04:23 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 142
Ontario
C
Canuck54 Offline
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Canuck54  Offline
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Posts: 142
Ontario
What a difference a day makes, we arrived Saturday and depite many arrivals we flew through the arrival process.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Bahston] #78611
01/10/2016 05:15 PM
01/10/2016 05:15 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
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kish  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
Where does COPA fly from and on which day besides Sunday?

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78612
01/10/2016 05:27 PM
01/10/2016 05:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,772
So. Shore MA.
jollymonsrv Offline
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Posts: 1,772
So. Shore MA.
Sorry for "Scanner" fiasco. And many store fresh market / garden market charge more for any beverage cold vs warm <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: kish] #78613
01/10/2016 06:35 PM
01/10/2016 06:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 280
Lithuania
Julius Offline
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Julius  Offline
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Posts: 280
Lithuania
Quote
kish said:
Where does COPA fly from and on which day besides Sunday?


To/from Panama City. They fly on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays.

We were on that flight today (Panama city - sxm), took us about 15 minutes to get through passport control and 10 minutes through scanner.

Last edited by Julius; 01/10/2016 11:19 PM.
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Julius] #78614
01/10/2016 07:47 PM
01/10/2016 07:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
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kish  Offline
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Posts: 1,764
Quebec
Thanks Julius. Someone suggested that the scanning was because of the COPA flight. If you and boucharda both arrived today, the scanning must have started after you got through. We fly down next Monday and hoping we will not have the same problem.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: kish] #78615
01/10/2016 08:22 PM
01/10/2016 08:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
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Massachusetts
I also came to that conclusion. The Panama flight arrived before us and I heard the Custom people say that all the Panama people had to be scanned and we just were in the wrong place and time....(right place....wrong time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />)

I thought it would have made a bit more sense to place the scanner outside the baggage belt and scan the bags from the airlines they were concerned with rather than penalizing EVERYONE.

Soooo...try not to arrive after a Panama flight...HOURS after

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: boucharda] #78616
01/10/2016 09:00 PM
01/10/2016 09:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Quote
boucharda said:

I thought it would have made a bit more sense to place the scanner outside the baggage belt and scan the bags from the airlines they were concerned with rather than penalizing everyone.



That does sound like a reasonable approach, doesn't it?! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #78617
01/10/2016 09:53 PM
01/10/2016 09:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 23
Massachusetts, USA
B
bmerryusa Offline
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Posts: 23
Massachusetts, USA
The scanner has been there for years, but in all the years we have been going to St Martin, we rarely have seen it in operation.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: pat] #78618
01/10/2016 11:06 PM
01/10/2016 11:06 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
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Bahston Offline
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Quote
pat said:
Quote
boucharda said:

I thought it would have made a bit more sense to place the scanner outside the baggage belt and scan the bags from the airlines they were concerned with rather than penalizing everyone.



That does sound like a reasonable approach, doesn't it?! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Years ago, traveling through SJU, I used to sometimes be on a section of the ramp where I could see luggage on an airside conveyer belt, moving at a slow speed. There was a handler with a dog, with the dog walking on the luggage, against the flow. The pooch had a few seconds to sniff each and every bag.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: Bahston] #78619
01/11/2016 06:11 PM
01/11/2016 06:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
wendyk Offline
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wendyk  Offline
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Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
Not sure who to reply to here, but i have an update from some friends who came in on the direct JB flight from Boston, and bags were being scanned AFTER they were retrieved from the luggage carousel.

Re: New luggage scanner SXM Airport [Re: wendyk] #78620
01/11/2016 06:31 PM
01/11/2016 06:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Perhaps all this is because it is feared an airport worker put a bag on a plane with some kind of contraband (drugs?) and someone was to retrieve it at the airport.

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