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Re SXM Covid testing..... #254564
05/01/2021 01:21 PM
05/01/2021 01:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline OP
Traveler
pat  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Can anyone explain to me what I’m missing here?

We had our SXM Covid testing done Thursday morning for our flight home on Friday at MedWorks in Simpson Bay. Appointments made and paid on line and very prompt as far as no back-ups. A slight glitch in that the lab itself neglected to send our results back to the collection point but that all worked itself out eventually. All this to the tune of $140.00 total for both of us for the rapid antigen test since we’d both already received our vaccinations prior to traveling from home.

Now here’s my question. WHY? At no point or time at PJIA did anyone ask to see them or if we had gotten them done. I kept asking at every stop - check-in, passport control, TSA and finally at the gate and not one person asked for them. NOPE! So I’m thinking maybe as we actually board the plane they will check them. NOPE! Then I thought perhaps the results were emailed to the airport in SXM in advance of departure or perhaps to C & I Border Patrol at our point of US entry which for us was MiamI. NOPE! I could understand maybe one of us slipping by without shoepwing them but both of us and at every possible spot? Really?

Has anyone else returning of late had to show these swabbing confirmations or is this just another means of raising revenues? I really don’t think the latter is the case but I just don’t get the necessity of making people jump through yet another set of hoops. Both my DH and I now have one more souvenir from what was a lovely vacation.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
SXM Sponsors
Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254565
05/01/2021 01:37 PM
05/01/2021 01:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
It's a US requirement, not a money grab for St Maarten. Really up to the airlines to check before boarding and C&I to check on US entry. Some people not doing their jobs. Supprised? LOL

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254567
05/01/2021 02:34 PM
05/01/2021 02:34 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline
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CaribLee  Offline
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
When I flew back on AA 8 days ago they had someone at the back of the checkin line asking to see test reports. I had completed Verifly for my return flight and showed her Verifly approval (also had the test results). When I checked bags at the counter, I was also asked for them. Not sure why you were not.

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: SXMScubaman] #254572
05/01/2021 03:11 PM
05/01/2021 03:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 236
M
MrWhiskerssammy Offline
Traveler
MrWhiskerssammy  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 236
Like Scuba said--it is our government that requires we get the test. Having said that, I think that the cost could be a little lower. If Med works can charge $70 PP, the airport could as well. It probably doesn't even cost that much--but I am just guessing. That's where the money grab is.

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254627
05/02/2021 07:12 AM
05/02/2021 07:12 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 209
Maryland
S
ScottW Offline
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ScottW  Offline
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S
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 209
Maryland
They would not allow us to get in line until we showed our test results and we showed them at the counter (American Airlines).

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: SXMScubaman] #254637
05/02/2021 08:29 AM
05/02/2021 08:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
It's a US requirement, not a money grab for St Maarten. Really up to the airlines to check before boarding and C&I to check on US entry. Some people not doing their jobs. Supprised? LOL

While it is a US requirement, you can bet SXM is making some $$ on it and so far, the mandatory travel insurance has been a cash cow.


J.D.
Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254641
05/02/2021 09:46 AM
05/02/2021 09:46 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
On the 1st day of our flight leaving SXM. someone walked down the line checking papers, before we checked in at the counter.

They had people filling out the form that needed to be done before leaving---forgot what it was called.
They kept that form and gave us the test results back at the check in counter ,but we had handed everything to them without being asked.

The second day, during the commotion, they only wanted our passports, which we had our old boarding passes stuck into.

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254643
05/02/2021 09:52 AM
05/02/2021 09:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Pat--sounds like whoever was in charge that day you left, didn't know what they were doing. Not unusual, anywhere in the world, I guess, but concerning regardless. Hopefully everyone got their tests as required.


Carol Hill
Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254675
05/02/2021 05:29 PM
05/02/2021 05:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
eilandmens Online content
Traveler
eilandmens  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
We were checked at check-in in late March for a return flight on United. Did you go through check-
In or did get boarding passes on line?

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: eilandmens] #254713
05/03/2021 08:49 AM
05/03/2021 08:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
Originally Posted by eilandmens
We were checked at check-in in late March for a return flight on United. Did you go through check-
In or did get boarding passes on line?


We got boarding passes on line but were checked for paperwork the moment we entered airport in March 2021

Re: Re SXM Covid testing..... [Re: pat] #254718
05/03/2021 09:08 AM
05/03/2021 09:08 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline OP
Traveler
pat  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
We were not able to check in on line snd stood in line at PJIA at the check-in counter. At every juncture when someone might have checked it, not one person asked for our island Covid test results. I kept offering it snd was told each time they didn’t need it and only wanted to see our passports. It was bizarre since it was mandatory. I guess just a bit of confusion?


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."

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