TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Departure experience

So we left yesterday flying on AA to CLT once again I was pleasantly surprised how easy and quick it was.
We did not have to check any bags and I was able to use mobile boarding passes with no problems thru security.
I also liked the new scanners at security you did not need to take out anything and could leave it all in backpack or carryon.
Only shoes had to be taken off. We used the electronic gate thru immgration after baggage scan very quick. I think the entire process was maybe 10 to 15 minutes until we reached sitting area.
AA for this flight had a jet bridge A3 so no shuttle bus so once again we got lucked out. Arrived around 1235 for a 1533 flight and we boarded around 1450 and made it to CLT around 1840.
No connection because we have about an 90 minute drive to be home. Thanks to everyone here for their input and suggestions all were very inciteful and helpful.

You mentioned "customs". Wasn't aware there was customs for departures at PJIA.

There is no customs on departure, but for some reason, people confuse emigration on departure, and immigration on arrival, with customs.

That's what I figured the OP meant. Customs is when you first land in the US for US customs.

Ok you got me I'm confused it was where I used the Egate by inserting passport and was the last step before entering departure area.
Thanks for the peer check

OK, glad it went well.

Glad that things went smoothly for you. We had the same experience early December except for the jet bridge. We waited about twenty minutes on the tarmac to board. Hopefully we will have a jet bridge in April. We also fly from car and have a ninety minute drive home. We cleared immigration/customs in about five minutes in clt with global entry.

Global entry is nice and the improvements of the process have made it even easier with the facial scan now in place at CLT.

Amen

Before deplaning yesterday on our arrival flight, the Delta agent came on the PA and warned us to arrive 4 hours before our departure flight. I couldn't believe what I heard and asked. She said yes that was true, that they are having a lot of issues with personnel in Security. Asked at car rental and they said an hour to an hour and before boarding would be fine.

BTW, the airport has taken a giant step backwards on arrival. 1 1/2 hours to get off plane, passport control and to retreave our bags. Zoo at the baggage carousel. 4 major flights arrived at the same time and on a Saturday to boot.

On an international flight the minimum time to check a bag i believe is 1 hour so take that into consideration on your departure day.

Speaking of customs, having flown into JFK from SXM, TLV, CDG and YUL (into LGA) the past 12 months, is it me or is customs non-existent? I don't see blue forms being handed out anymore and no one asking things to declare, etc.

I know YUL allowed customs clearance before leaving Canada.

Whats the story w customs nowadays?
How is customs at CLT?

We have global entry, and customs in CLT is pretty much nothing. No forms, just "anything to declare?" Not sure if it's the same in the regular lines.

That's the way it's been in MIA with GE too.