TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Arrival Tuesday

We filled out the forms online. When you arrive you still have to wait in a queue to scan your passport at kiosk and for them to take a facial recognition picture in case you rob a jewelry store. Don’t like big brother. Our big brother did not require our IDs or boarding pass at origin airport they just scanned our faces and off we went to scan our bags. I guess they have our faces in the database. No one asked for our passports at origin or in Charlotte.

The AA plane from Charlotte was packed and probably the least comfortable coach flight with zero leg room in a seat over the wings. The flight was 30 minutes early and there were 3 open gates but we got the ramp. I like walking next to the plane so all good.

They have a new counter since 2021 with all the usual Rental car suspects lined up. We went with Hertz based on you know who. They were nice and walked us outside for the shuttle but seemed their guy was somewhere but between the agency and the airport. We saw ACE and many others. After 20 minutes or so two Hertz shuttles showed up. All good friendly gent took us to Hertz. As Scuba emphasizes liability was no question included. They brought up quite a beater tho. Did detailed scratch and dent review. She only has 30k miles but feels like 300k miles. The air works and she starts but barely makes it up the big hills into/out of Marigot. And I’m not sure she has brake pads left.

More later, it is still paradise

Keep that positive attitude.😆

I would be ticked with no gate to go to, but that's just me. I actually don't mind a beater car IF the a/c works well.

Enjoy your trip!

When you depart on a ramp they either bus you or you walk to immigration and baggage pickup. No gate unless you have a jetway.

Scuba--yes. I don't understand your comment.

I was referencing your " ticked with no gate to go to " comment as there isn't a gate when you depart on the ramps or stairs as the OP did.