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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: milo911md]
#121746
02/22/2017 11:27 PM
02/22/2017 11:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
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I'm aware of a firm that does that, but haven't yet used them for a trip to SXM. I know that some use them as an expediter for in-transit transfers to St Barth. Check out Halley Aviation Services. They're the only firm that I know of, but several companies re-market their services. http://www.halleyaviationservices.com
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: bmerryusa]
#121750
02/23/2017 10:42 AM
02/23/2017 10:42 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
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Really? Wow.. As Kim says, it's gotten better lately, but it's not been at all unusual for us to wait 30-40 minutes, and a few years ago, 45 minutes was the norm.
Carol Hill
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: milo911md]
#121751
02/23/2017 11:50 AM
02/23/2017 11:50 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
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Nick,
Like so many others have said, the SXM arrival is pretty easy these days so if it was me, I'd save my money for an arrival piņa colada or something similar. Kim is right - there was a time back in the day when you might wait as long as 45-60 minutes (and it wasn't in an air-conditioned arrival hall) for your arrival line to clear immigration but today it's usually painless. I don't think we've had to stand in line for more than ten minutes over all of our last 10 to 15 trips and with each successive trip it seems to go faster. If only they could find a way to speed up the luggage to carousel service to match......
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: bluejacket]
#121753
02/23/2017 11:59 AM
02/23/2017 11:59 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
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Right! No sunglasses or hats through immigration and then hurry up and wait seemingly forever by comparison for your bags to arrive. For our brief January trip we did carry-on bags only and we were on the sidewalk and into our rental car in no time at all. God bless Lesley Bruce! <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."
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: milo911md]
#121755
02/23/2017 12:17 PM
02/23/2017 12:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,550 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,550
Ohio
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They could all arrive within 30 minutes but you also have to factor in the larger planes of Air France and KLM, although they are usually a little later.
There is also the possibility of a delay of one or more of the planes. For example, the Delta flight from ALT today is running about 40 minutes behind for some reason.
Typically the immigration part is pretty efficient unless they are on some kind of work slow down but I have not seen that mentioned for some time now. Luggage is usually the bigger hold up but I doubt you would have more than a hour total at most even if all 5 planes did arrive at close times.
J.D.
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: milo911md]
#121756
02/23/2017 12:23 PM
02/23/2017 12:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
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Okay, then - five full flights all within a half hour will certainly make for a longer wait but it shouldn't be all that long. With all the changes in the timmigration process plus the additional lines to service the crowds, it still moves well. Our Jan. trip was a Friday arrival and we were nicely spaced but typically we arrive in that Saturday time slot of 1 or 2 JBs, 1 or 2 AAs and a Delta or United thrown in for good measure along with an Insel or a Liat on occasion and we still manage to make good time. For us the hold up typically seems to be the luggage and we play the game of one bag off early and the other one in the last group of luggage onto the carousel. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: VIP arrival services at SXM
[Re: kim]
#121758
02/23/2017 04:41 PM
02/23/2017 04:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,411 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,411
Rhode Island
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kim said: You have been very lucky. It's all about timing and the day of the week. But I will say it has gotten much better in the last 4 years. Back in the 80's you could have over an hour wait in the hot sun!! Wow we must have been lucky because no way did we wait over an hour back in 1980. The grueling wait came when departing. Too many people crowded into a small room with no A/C . God forbid a flight was delayed. The room became a sardine can.
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