Forums39
Topics38,731
Posts313,278
Members26,578
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
34 registered members (toast, road3682, jaxon60, NoelHall, Compskier, CaribbeanCanadians, pandpfromcanada, Kmon, Husker, Zanshin, jagmansr, PML, MKGrey, GeorgeC1, Cleobeach, Todd, xrayman67, ChuckG, Jim_Laraine, taraavo, SteveH, jbutah, dolfer, BarbyandLeo, eightzerobits, MrEZgoin, 8 invisible),
1,267
guests, and 113
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: sail2wind]
#35232
01/20/2015 09:26 PM
01/20/2015 09:26 PM
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
|
Real simple, and a good value if you want to avoid the long lines at Customs & Immigration (while dragging your own luggage along the way). The porters are at the curb with their carts. Verify the charge, but I think it is only several dollars per bag (plus tip). Then simply follow their instructions, which is basically they leading you and your luggage which is never out of sight.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: cbinparadise]
#35234
01/21/2015 04:23 PM
01/21/2015 04:23 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100 Maryland
Twanger
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
|
cbinparadise said: I have never had to pay duty on my purchases when using a porter. I give the porter $20 and it is so worth it. IMHO - Best $20 you can spend on the vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: Twanger]
#35235
01/21/2015 05:12 PM
01/21/2015 05:12 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678
An island state of mind
|
Twanger said:
IMHO - Best $20 you can spend on the vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Amen. Our porter save our @sses in Aug.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: tradewinds]
#35236
01/21/2015 05:55 PM
01/21/2015 05:55 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166 Tampa, FL
Dmgators
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
|
tradewinds said:Twanger said:
IMHO - Best $20 you can spend on the vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Amen. Our porter save our @sses in Aug. And you guys only had carry-on!
Debbie
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: sail2wind]
#35238
01/21/2015 06:46 PM
01/21/2015 06:46 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678
An island state of mind
|
sail2wind said: I've only used porters with checked bags. What advantage to porters afford with carry on only? You still have to wait in the customs line. The line for Customs was 3 miles long and she brought us right up to the front of the line. We would have missed our flight without her help.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: Orange_Burst]
#35241
01/22/2015 11:48 AM
01/22/2015 11:48 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166 Tampa, FL
Dmgators
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,166
Tampa, FL
|
The last few times we used the porter we still had to check in with the airline (AA) ourselves. But they did take us to the front of the customs line and to the "back door" security line.
Debbie
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: sail2wind]
#35242
01/22/2015 12:00 PM
01/22/2015 12:00 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,678
An island state of mind
|
sail2wind said: I've only used porters with checked bags. What advantage to porters afford with carry on only? You still have to wait in the customs line. What's the point of getting a porter if you still have to wait in the Customs line? What am I missing? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: sail445]
#35248
01/22/2015 01:46 PM
01/22/2015 01:46 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
|
sail445 said: In the islands things always change on whim anyway. Like the restaurants one day the wait staff is friendly and accommodating and the next day rude. I think this is a very valid statement - I don't think you can expect the same experience every time. As for us? We just plan our airport arrivals accordingly -- and our travel days if we can. I always allow for two hours at STT.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: TackingAg]
#35250
01/22/2015 03:08 PM
01/22/2015 03:08 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 854
Cleobeach
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 854
|
TackingAg said: Just to confirm you just find one when you drop at the airport or do you need to arrange in advance? Sounds like last minute is fine but just making sure. That might depend on when you are travelling. Twice, there were no porters available but it was peak season, on Saturdays when the airport is at its worst. We have used the same porter for a couple of years now and call ahead. (she gave us her business card) She is so busy that last time, she had an assistant working her phone and manning a gathering spot of sorts to manage her customers. I can remember a few times, we stood in the normal C&I line but there was only a few people in front of us. For the past 3 trips, there appeared to be a dedicated agent for the porters.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: TackingAg]
#35252
01/23/2015 07:49 AM
01/23/2015 07:49 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 14 Michigan
Bigcheeze
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 14
Michigan
|
TackingAg said: Just to confirm you just find one when you drop at the airport or do you need to arrange in advance? Sounds like last minute is fine but just making sure. Yes...just drop at the Curb, no reservations taken or needed. Daphne is the head porter. The porters will get your boarding passes, luggage tags and 'Fast Pass' you through the lines. We only use carry ons for our Family of 4...but it's the best $20 we spend on vacation.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: tradewinds]
#35256
01/23/2015 04:31 PM
01/23/2015 04:31 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 312 Canton, GA
Felix
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 312
Canton, GA
|
The porters are definitely worth $3-5 a bag, if the customs line is long. Usually they will open up a dedicated customs line for porters and airline staff/VIPs, and this will save you tons of time. I always just check the customs line and if there are more than 20-30 people, I ask if the porters have a dedicated line and then have them take care of my bags. Can literally save over an hour's wait when it's all said and done. Then you have spare time to visit the lovely Hibiscus Cafe! LOL
Felix (kris)
* What we do in life echoes in eternity *
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: Felix]
#35257
01/24/2015 04:10 PM
01/24/2015 04:10 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
|
STT airport was at its regular high season pace today. We went through pretty briskly in about 20 minutes carryon only, prefilled C&I form, smartphone ticket, TSA pre-check. Those with checked bags had a looong line to check their bags. The porters were going to the front of the line for C&I and baggage check. That probably saved at least 30 minutes.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: RickG]
#35258
01/25/2015 01:54 PM
01/25/2015 01:54 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 237 Amityville, NY
RonP
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 237
Amityville, NY
|
RickG said: STT airport was at its regular high season pace today. We went through pretty briskly in about 20 minutes carryon only, prefilled C&I form, smartphone ticket, TSA pre-check. Those with checked bags had a looong line to check their bags. The porters were going to the front of the line for C&I and baggage check. That probably saved at least 30 minutes.
Cheers, RickG Just curious, what time? We went through yesterday at about noon, and none of the airline counters were busy, C&I was quick, and there were maybe 10 people ahead of us to leave bags by the xray machines. I was planning to use a porter but the way it looked, I didn't bother. Only problem was the departure lounge was jammed, no seats, no tables in the cafeteria, even the bar was hard to get to. Had to get a beer in a cup from the stand out in the gate area. I've never seen it like that, but we don't usually travel there/home on Saturdays. Also, off topic, but kudos to the STT airport for the clean shiny new bathrooms on the way to the baggage claim. It looks like they are not quite done with that area but it's already 100 times nicer than it used to be.
|
|
|
Re: STT airport expedited process (porter?)
[Re: RonP]
#35259
01/25/2015 02:14 PM
01/25/2015 02:14 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
|
We were ahead of you. We got in around 11AM at the same time as the cruise ship herd was going through. There were four planes leaving around 1PM, when we were scheduled. We got on our plane at 1PM and took off at 4:30PM after having to send out for a mechanic and then having to send out for oil. All is forgiven, United gave us 2,500 bonus miles. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> I felt bad for the Canadians who were looking at rebooking two additional legs and an extra overnight at IAD. We still got home faster on the direct flight than if we had a connection.
The bathrooms outside of security are great at STT. I'm looking forward to a renovation to the Soviet loo inside security and a return of the water fountain. STT is making decent progress.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
|
|
|
|