It took two hours to get through arrivals at SXM

Today I had guests arriving on WestJet flight 2652 from Toronto to SXM.
They landed at 3:25 PM today only a few minutes late.
Unfortunately, they had one checked bag that they would have to claim at the baggage area. The arrival staff gave no information on why people were just waiting.
They did not get out of the terminal until 5:40 PM more than two hours after landing. When they got outside the terminal, they were no taxis to take them to Royal Islander. They walked across the street and waited for a bus. My guests have been here before, but it is certainly not a good impression for anyone starting their vacation. They ended up walking to La Terrasse.

I know the subject has been discussed quite a bit, but it is sad to see that three months after the soft opening of the departure area, they would have this kind of problems still with the arrival area.

Drphilsxm

Yes it was another rough day and our client on West Jet came out around the same time and the traffic situation was terrible , all backed up as a result of a big trunk being broke down .

Phil--I guess the traffic situation was the reason why no taxis? That is odd. Really disappointing situation with arrivals.

I trust you forewarned your guests what to expect at arrivals. Been no secrets on it.

We got through in an hour no bags. Delta JFK. But then almost 15 minutes to get out of the airport because of the traffic issues in Cole Bay.

Welcome back my Dear .

Thanks! And you were right. That traffic was crazy!!!!!

Carry on only seems to be the solution! It seems they cannot get coming or going right.

I hope your guests have a good trip.

Are there bathrooms while waiting in line?

How does just having carry on make the arrival process different? Do they allow you to pass through a different line?

I just changed our arrival flight in May as the original was 45 minutes after the Air France flight and 30 minutes behind the KLM flight. Moved it back to an hour and a half after the KLM hoping it would be cleared out by then.

murphy--now, you just need to hope that Air France and KLM aren't late coming in! It is ridiculous, that people are rearranging their flight schedules because SXM can't deal with baggage.

We don't have baggage. We don't even have carry on. The question is do they allow you to go through customs faster with no luggage.

Oh hi, sorry, didn't pay attention it was you. Allegedly, you can get around the crowds if you don't have bags, yes. The whole thing doesn't make sense to me, but that's the way it works.

A couple of months ago they had a porta potty outside if you needed to use the restroom.

Kind of tongue in cheek as that is suggested by some so rental car people don't have to wait for their customers with checked bags.

Supposedly if you have no checked bags, you move on through. Sometimes it seems to work and sometimes it doesn't. Like with many things with this airport fiasco, inconsistency and missed completion dates is the norm.

Good luck.

BTW, I am from about 20 miles north of Dayton.

"Kind of tongue in cheek as that is suggested by some so rental car people don't have to wait for their customers with checked bags."
My thoughts exactly. 👍

Seems they push the lines based on when the luggage will arrive at the carousel. Otherwise the limited baggage area would be packed with people.

I feel so bad for your guests!! That's a horrible way to start a vacation!!! I'm not sure if the people that work at arrivals just don't care??? Or they are just under staffed!! Maybe if we overload there email, let them know that this is a horrible way to treat tourist!! webmaster@sintmaartengov.org

They do not allow you to skip lines. You wait in the line based on your flight. As luggage is on the belt that’s the group they push through as the hall where the baggage belt is is just too tight. Even if you don’t have bags you wait in that line then just exit. Took us an hour on Tuesday to get to rental car.

We arrived yesterday on American at 2:15, parked close and walked to the terminal. It took 30 minutes to clear immigration and 30 minutes to get bags. A young couple in front of us were carrying only backpacks. They tried to skip the line when we first entered the outdoor shelter and were denied. However, they asked again when we entered the building and were allowed to go to the "transit" line. Like others have mentioned, I think it just depends on who is working the lines.

When does Air France and KLM land on Sat?

First one at 2.50pm and second one at 5.30pm and no KLM today Tracy .

Easiest way is to check their SXM airport website for all flight info.

https://www.sxmairport.com/flights-info.php?view=arrivals&flight=

Thank you. DO they still come in those times in June/July ?

Not sure, I assume they have fewer flights since its the low season.

Tracy--easiest way to find out their schedule for then is to go to their websites.

I would just like to mention, it is always best to check on the day itself.
Air France and KLM can both be a few hours late.
Also, on the odd occasion, they could be early.

Drphilsxm

Phil--that is definitely true. However, I think that Tracy was trying to figure out when to book her incoming flight for, to hopefully avoid those crowds. It's a crap shoot, as you say, as you could plan your flight around when those other flights are SUPPOSED to arrive, and then they are early or you are late. I booked our flight for June from Miami for the earlier flight, even though I HATE getting up that early, but hope the lines will be less for the 1 PM flight.

Carol - We also HATE getting up early to catch a flight and tonight is our night of sleep deprivation. We are being picked up at 2:30am Sunday morning for our trip to Toronto (Ugh). On the bright side, if there is one, we are scheduled for a 12:15 arrival and the only "big" plane ahead of us is the Copa flight from Panama City 55 minutes ahead of us. Hoping to breeze right through SXM airport ( I know good luck with that ). Sorry Leslie but we do have checked bags, Carry on only just doesn't work for a 4 week stay.

WhaleTail--Considering you are having a 4 week stay, I don't feel TOO sorry for you overall.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing all about your trip!

After the COPA flight arrives you might have tp go through bag screening.....happened twice to us in previous years. No clue why it;s always COPA that initiates it

boucharda - We had our bags screened on our last visit in Dec. Stand in line for immigration, then stand in line for bags, and then stand in line for bag screening. But there's a lot of lounger time ahead!! Can't wait to slip into island time.

Carol - "Looking forward to hearing and seeing all about your trip"

You know I will

Whale Tail--I think that's a contract!!