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Traveling to SXM part one #257136
06/02/2021 07:38 PM
06/02/2021 07:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
S
SXMFOX Offline OP
Traveler
SXMFOX  Offline OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
So this is the story. We planned a last min trip, started on Friday afternoon for a early Monday morning departure from ILM with a connection in CTL. We went and had our COVID test at CVS late afternoon on Friday, and were assured the results would be back in 1 to 2 days. When there, we were asked if it was for travel and we replied yes, she gave us a thumbs up and said that we would have our negative results back soon. So how did she know we would test negative? I guess because we were traveling.

Step two. Then we made arrangements for lodging and secured all that. Next we checked for airfare and secured that with air miles, 15,000 apiece each way, not bad.

Easy peasy, right so far.

Fast forward, woke up early on Sunday morning and received our COVID test results from CVS. All negative results, imagine that! (Shocker) then we navigated the Sxm portal to upload our information. We used the same email address for both applications and made mistakes on one of them so it would stand out. Once summited the applications and paid for our FHONY healthcare at $30.00 a pop, we received a Pre-Approveal notice via email from the ministry of health from Sxm within 30 mins from submission! What a shocker!

Step three. Woke up early and drove to Wilmington for our first flight. Arrived at the airport for check-in. Simple right. Spoke to the aging desk agent and submitted all of our paperwork to her, she denied us travel! Imagine that. After many countless attempts at her looking at her computer screen and asking us where the bar code was and showing her the countless emails with Sxm Gov, she finally called over a supervisor, (now all of this being said, we were not worried in the least. We always take matters into our on hands and do not allow others to lead us around by our nose). Her major complaint was that our paperwork said PRE-APPROVED, NOT APPROVED! We really didn’t understand that she didn’t know the distinction between the two. Finally after her supervisor looked at the paperwork (for one second) he nodded to her and said that we were ok to travel. The world of COVID!

Step three. So we finally arrived in CLT, our connection flight to Sxm and thinking surely they will re-check all of our paperwork. What a laugh. They just wanted our passport and ticket, and on the plane you go! Good for us, bad for others.

SO YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING. We want this to be as educational as possible and pictures will follow in the next segment. This will clear the air for everyone, hopefully.

SXM Sponsors
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257138
06/02/2021 07:43 PM
06/02/2021 07:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
OK, since this is Wednesday, and you were in Charlotte on Monday, I'm guessing you have arrived. where are you staying?


Carol Hill
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257141
06/02/2021 08:10 PM
06/02/2021 08:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
S
SXMFOX Offline OP
Traveler
SXMFOX  Offline OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
Yes carol, we are here, in the lucky 13!

Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257143
06/02/2021 08:31 PM
06/02/2021 08:31 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Sending a PM!


Carol Hill
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257154
06/03/2021 02:59 AM
06/03/2021 02:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
Traveler
Colour1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
We had a similar problem only ours was from home. Some BS about "PDF" vs JPEG who the hell knows. All I know is through the grace of God and many people that we know on the island they caught the problem. What a FREAK'N hassle!! Hopefully coming soon, just a valid vaccine card will be enough. Lucky 13? Sounds like BSV to me. That was the unit we stayed in back in Mach-April! Ours is normally unit#1!!! We got our PCR Antigen test in Marigot on Rue De Kennedy, free. 30 minutes and clear to return. Time to relax and let "Sand gravity set in"!!

Attached Files BSV unit#13 2021-4.jpg

Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257157
06/03/2021 05:37 AM
06/03/2021 05:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the update, interesting details. I bet you test negative prior to returning to the US.


J.D.
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: ruralcarrier] #257163
06/03/2021 08:41 AM
06/03/2021 08:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
S
SXMFOX Offline OP
Traveler
SXMFOX  Offline OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
I not sure rualcarrier, with all of this COVID running rampant on the island, and no one adhering to the mask mandates, its kinda sketchy here!

So they have 5 lines for testing:

1) locals for a positive test results
2) locals for a negative test
3) non-residents for a positive test results
4) non-residents for a negative test results
5) other (all others line up here)

It’s going to be a tough choice! Lol think were leaning towards #5

Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257165
06/03/2021 08:49 AM
06/03/2021 08:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Tough choices for sure. Hope you have a great time. Hopefully you do not have to use the mandatory insurance.


J.D.
Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257175
06/03/2021 10:18 AM
06/03/2021 10:18 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
S
SXMFOX Offline OP
Traveler
SXMFOX  Offline OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
Let me tell you, that insurance is a load of bull! A complete money grab! It goes to a firm in FL, IMAGINE THAT!

Re: Traveling to SXM part one [Re: SXMFOX] #257176
06/03/2021 10:28 AM
06/03/2021 10:28 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Originally Posted by SXMFOX
Let me tell you, that insurance is a load of bull! A complete money grab! It goes to a firm in FL, IMAGINE THAT!

I thought it was a few local companies/agents who had their hand in the pot? It seems to be a good deterrent to Covid for tourists. Not one reported case that I am aware of.

I fully expect this will be like the airport departure fee/tax. It will continue to be mandatory and will eventually be built into the price of an airline ticket. Doing it this way will allow for price escalations and they will be hidden until someone actually looks at all the fees/taxes they pay on a ticket. People used to mention the (former) $30 departure fee/tax. It is now $39 and most are unaware since it is built into the price of the ticket. BEWEARE, it IS coming!


J.D.

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