TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin PJIA questions

We haven't been through PJIA since Irma, can someone give us an idea of what to expect? I read in a recent link to the Herald that the airport was particularly challenged and unpleasant at "peak times", but that wasn't defined. I know Saturdays can be particularly bad, but what about other days/times--when is the airport most crowded? I have read about some operations being housed in tents, are they cooled in any way? Thanks for any insights and advice.

Currently the tents are gone. When I arrive in mid-March on a Sunday I was off the plane and waiting for luggage in about 20 minutes or less. No problems but it was not crowded at that time. Departing on a Friday saw lines for checking in/luggage and security. Total time from when I entered the building to when I had cleared all checkpoints was less than an hour. The holding area had a/s but it was crowded so it was a little stuffy. Rather chaotic but all went smooth.

Most crowded days will be Saturday, followed by Friday and Sunday. A lot depends on how many planes hit the ground at close to the same times and the same with departure but it is working.

Left yesterday (Wednesday). Got to airport 2 1/2 hours early. No line at American counter so got checked baggage dropped off quickly with boarding passes in hand. Pretty good line at Passport checkpoint but made it through in 10 to 15 minutes. Security line wasn't too bad so that took another 10 to 15 minutes. Got to my gate about 45 minutes after arriving at airport. Settled in for my hour plus wait to board plane. Was able to get wifi from Domino's after giving them a lot of online information. Several options for grabbing a bite before leaving (SXM Burgers looked like it might be pretty good). All in all, not a bad experience.

Just to confirm, you already had boarding passes printed out, or you printed them at the airport? Which AA flight were you on?

And more importantly, tell us about your trip overall! Those who are waiting to go need something to help us pass the time!!

Carol--they printed out my boarding passes at the American counter while checking my luggage. I was on the 3:59 p.m. flight to Miami and then on to Jacksonville. Both legs of the flight went smoothly. Haven't quite made it home yet (spent the night in JAX) and am currently driving home to Georgia. Will do my best to do a trip report sometime this weekend.

Our recent experience mirrors CaribLee's above. But, we were flying Delta thru Atlanta. When we originally landed they put everyone on a bus and drove us to customs & immigration. On the way back the plane was right there outside our gate, but no jetways were in operation at that time. Two sets of elevated stairs allowed for fairly quick boarding in both the front and rear of the plane. Overall, it was okay.

CaribLee--thanks for the info and the promise of the trip report!!

Sammy--thanks, we will be on Delta in June..

I printed my AA boarding passes at home a couple of weeks ago heading out. Was able to print boarding pass for Jet Blue prior to return yesterday. Both flights on Wednesday and airport was a breeze both days.

It will be a long time before any jetways are working.

Sounds like a lot of us did a Wednesday departure from PJIA. We left on Wed., May 1 and though the airline suggested three hours, we decided to allow 2.5 hours, and from curbside to the departure gate it took us slightly under 45 minutes on JB. The line was pretty short when we arrived and had grown considerably by the time we got through baggage check-in but everyone was positive and pleasant. And that was our experience with every encounter at the airport.

Saturday of presidents day weekend for a 3 PM flight back to NY.

Arrived at the front of the jetblue counter at 12:05. We're a party of 2 adults, 2 kids, no checked luggage. There was one line going through security that split into 2 stations.

We were at the GATE and ready to go in 30 minutes. I wished we had that time back to hang on the island, but one never knows.....

Our Son just left to head back to Toronto and he used a special line was through in fifteen minutes, we just had to pay thirty dollars for his over weight.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your experiences. We are flying Wed to Wed, so it sounds like there's at least a possibility it won't be awful!

Tough day for Mom and Dad, right? He’ll be back before you know it. Or you’ll be there. Either way, it won’t be that long before you’re all together again.

Yes Dear , I now have to go back to lock up his bedroom every night . Lol . I will try to make in a trip in August .

Elaine I thought that was you sitting across from me on JetBlue on Wednesday. I hope you are feeling better.