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Just back from a BVI sailing week
#167326
08/07/2018 03:35 PM
08/07/2018 03:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 283 Miami, FL
Michel_Benarrosh
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 283
Miami, FL
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Hi all...
Just came back from sailing, and had my ticket through STT, back to Miami. First time I am using STT in 20 years. Read on. This is possibly one of the worst travel memory I have, and I wanted to communicate about this.
I had to go through 1h 45 min in the line going to the US Immigration, the line starting way out of the terminal. I was like.... WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON?? Fortunately, I did not miss my flight because I was at the airport almost 3 hours before boarding.
What was even more infuriating is that travelers using luggage porters were driven to a special line with maybe a 15-min wait, at most. I inquired to a police officer from the airport, and she said that (did you know this?) the porters have a special "deal" and their paying customers can benefit from the short line. I could not even use a porter because I only had a carry on. To make matters worse (if even possible) the short line had SIX immigration officers working on it, while the long line had only TWO, which added to the length of the line of course.
My patience - and that of many people in my line - was running very short. We asked for a superviser and every time, the officials we asked did not answer to us, looked the other way and kept walking. Some people started screaming and a woman who eventually missed her flight because of the line, had a nervous breakdown and started screaming insanely. It was pandemonium at some point and no one, and any point in any time made the effort to explain to the crowd what was going on, let alone apologize.
Additionally, most A/C units still do not work (almost 1 year after Irma), and some parts are still not even rebuilt.
As you can imagine, I will never EVER go through STT again. SJU is definitely the way to go and it is much shorter than having to deal with the ferries, on top of that.
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Michel_Benarrosh]
#167352
08/07/2018 09:19 PM
08/07/2018 09:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251 Okla
ScurvyD
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
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How was the sailing? How's Peter Island?
I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Michel_Benarrosh]
#167374
08/08/2018 09:04 AM
08/08/2018 09:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 801 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 801
Kannapolis, NC
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Wow. Sorry to hear that. We went through STT in May in less than 10 minutes. There had to have been some extenuating circumstance. Pre Irma and Post Irma has never been bad for us at STT. Certainly not my favorite airport. But not one I would have a good reason to bash. How was the trip in general?
Go Irish!!
Bill
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Catmandu]
#167421
08/08/2018 02:55 PM
08/08/2018 02:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277 Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
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I think there has been some uneasiness at STT since the Allah flags were seen flying at the airport. Nonsense, they arrested that guy he is a local mental patient. One has nothing to do with the other. Our airport suffers from a chronic staffing issues by the feds at customs and the shampoo police. Add in ongoing issues with hurricane damage and you can just count on doing the three hour thing. Breathe in and Breathe out. Some days it goes fast and then you can have a few warm expensive greenies. It is still the best air service option in the Virgins. But wait there is more. We are getting a plane full of federal money for an upgrade. Should only take ten years to finish and a couple of indictments. Click here to read all about it.Upgrade Plans for STT
Last edited by CaptainJay; 08/08/2018 03:01 PM.
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Michel_Benarrosh]
#167422
08/08/2018 02:58 PM
08/08/2018 02:58 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
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I always use the porters. Might seem like extortion, but it's just a couple of bucks (per bag plus optional tip). Even if I only had a carry-on, I'd still do it. On the ferry coming over, attempt to sit as close to the exit door as possible in order to be at the head of the line at C&I. They won't let anyone off the boat until all the bags have been taken off, but just stand as close to the door as possible as soon as the ferry ties to the Customs dock. I've also found arriving at the STT Airport early, like about noon, is best as the bulk of the crowd has not yet arrived. Once past TSA and Immigration, the waiting area is actually quite decent. I get some lunch in the café, a little last minute shopping ….. and the seats DO NOT HAVE ARM RESTS …. meaning I can take a nap if so inclined.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Michel_Benarrosh]
#167426
08/08/2018 03:55 PM
08/08/2018 03:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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I think we'll be sticking with SJU into EIS like we've done.. maybe someday when they really improve the process to make it enjoyable. All our travels through SJU have been comfortable and easy. No long lines, no waiting..etc. With a small child, that is key. If we had to stand in a long line, it would be miserable. I'd much rather pay the premium to do that and enjoy the great views along the way.
Thanks for the update Michael.
Matt
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: NoelHall]
#167430
08/08/2018 04:51 PM
08/08/2018 04:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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... the waiting area is actually quite decent. I get some lunch in the café, a little last minute shopping …. Is this true again? I flew thru STT last in January and none of that was open yet. There were a few makeshift bars setup but nothing like before. I have flown thru SJU every month since January and it is much more recovered. Last week, they actually had a club room open again.
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Re: Just back from a BVI sailing week
[Re: Michel_Benarrosh]
#167771
08/15/2018 10:38 AM
08/15/2018 10:38 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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My wife flew out on Saturday at 4:00. She was at STT 2 hours before the flight. Went from curb side to waiting area in 20 minutes, i.e., "normal". She texted me the usual comments that "I could have been on the boat an extra hour and been just fine". I flew out on Sunday at 4:00 and had a bag to check. I too went from curb to waiting area in 20 minutes.
This is my third trip down for the season and each trip has gone through STT. All of our experiences have been more efficient than pre-Irma. The OP obviously had a bad experience but I"m inclined to believe something must have been going on that day.
Life's short - sail more!
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