TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands STT requesting passengers arrive early yiday

Saw on FB that the airport had to relocate Customs temporarily today. As a result they ask people to arrive 3-4 hours early, especially for afternoon flights.

Smith's Ferry posted that C&I in Charlotte Amalie is closed until further notice. They are having to stop at Red Hook to process passengers, then proceed to CA.

Why? Is this all related to the Corona virus?

The post said for maintenance.

Oh, ok. What about the airport?

The airport is redoing the customs area so all passengers are being screen at Gate 1 which is a smaller space. They are asking passengers to arrive 3-4 hour early,

Seems a tad fishy with the timing.

I communicated with a friend on the island. Apparently both tested positive for mold. Both are closed for remediation.

"a tad fishy" … perhaps. This whole CBP situation is something I can't quite put a finger on. This past week I drove to our state capital to apply for a 'REAL I.D.' and was turned away. Apparently the most important piece of identification needed was a current non-laminated Social Security Card. My original card I had laminated decades ago. I was instructed to visit my local Social Security Administration office and apply for a new card, and then return. I thought this was strange as I had with me my passport, my current driver's license, my FAA private pilot's license, my Global Entry card, my conceal carry license, my certified birth certificate, my deed to our home, and my old original Social Security Card (although laminated). All of this was insufficient to issue me a 'REAL I.D.'

Okay, I'll chalk it up to government bureaucracy, but then …. I've had Global Entry coming on ten years. The first 5th year renewal was completed online easily without a hitch. Since my membership expires soon, I began the process for another renewal. Nothing has really happened differently in my life the past five years and believed the process would be quick and easy as before. I then found the program has been rolled into something different, so I followed the instructions to transfer my membership to the new 'Trusted Traveler Program' under www.ttp.cbp.gov as instructed. I completed the renewal application online and paid the required $100.00 fee. I then received notice that it could be as long as ONE YEAR before my application could be reviewed due to the current backlog.

I understand the Department of Homeland Security has 240,000 employees, although apparently no one is available to review Global Entry renewals. My next problem is that I just received a new passport and need to enter the new number into the Global Entry system. I found that because my application is currently being held for review, the system will not allow me to enter the information from my new passport and states I must visit a CBP Center. I will be at the Denver Airport next week, but checking I find CBP is not scheduling any appointments at this time. Okay, I'll be going through Houston on my way to Roatan in a few weeks, but I found CBP is not scheduling any appointments there either. I can't help thinking something is going on, but can't figure it out.

Went through STT TSA yesterday. A mess with 200-300 people wailing in line . Maybe a 2 hour wait maybe more. I was able to get through in 2 min flat. Combination of a porter and a wheelchair. . Had no problem with CA but they changed today. Ferries have to clear in Red hook then go on to CA

Copied from Virgin Islands Port Authority.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-departure operations in the Cyril E. King Airport Terminal and operations at the Edward W. Blyden Marine Terminal on St. Thomas have been temporarily relocated until further notice. The Virgin Islands Port Authority is addressing emergency issues it found during construction projects being conducted at both terminals this week. VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe said that contractors are working post-haste to complete the work necessary to resume normal operations.

CBP has relocated its operations to ensure that travel and commerce will not be interrupted while VIPA completes the repairs. At the CEK Airport, passengers will clear at Checkpoint A near Gate 1. Longer wait times are anticipated. VIPA advises travelers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before their scheduled departure to allow enough time for the screening process.

The CBP operations at the Blyden Terminal have been temporarily relocated to the Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook. All foreign passenger vessels, including the ferries from the British Virgin Islands, will clear Customs at Red Hook until the Blyden Terminal checkpoint is reopened. Cargo vessels will be cleared at the CEK Airport’s CBP Entrance and Clearance window (located in the hallway next to the LIAT counter).

VIPA apologizes for any inconvenience and assures the public that the agency is working as fast as possible to return to normal operations.

Wow, how totally annoying. I just looked up the requirements here in New Jersey to get a REAL ID drivers license. As proof of your social security number, they'll accept:

• Social Security Card
• W-2 Form issued within the past year
• Pay Stub with name and full SSN
• 1099 Form issued within the past year

I wonder if lamination would be an issue.

By the way, I recently renewed my passport, and requested a passport card as well as the passport book. The card will be accepted by TSA for domestic travel -- that may be handy if I don't get a REAL ID license before the new TSA requirements go into effect.

Dan

My wife got jammed on the Social Security...we went to get RealIDs (VA) especially for the kids who are at college. I dont want their passports with them but if they need to fly for an emergency we wanted them to be able to before the 10/2020 deadline

She doesn't have a W-2 or paystub so she is stuck trying to work her way through the Social Security Office. I might just have to hire and pay her and issue her a 1099 but this part of it seems ridiculous especially for those of us that have all the other ID's that are much harder to forge than a 1099...

Noel, not sure it's any more comforting, but due to my Nexus Card - I'm CDN living north of Toronto - expiring in less than 6 months, I went on line to renew my membership this past week. We have been told many times, if our Nexus expires in less than 6 months from expiry, we may be refused entry to the US. When requesting my membership renewal, I was also told it may take up to a year for the process of renewal due to labour disruptions in the US.

Traveling to BVI in March through MIA, but have a couple trips to US before then, starting with LAX this week … could be interesting times. I'm certainly planning to leave extra time to clear US customs ( which we do before leaving Toronto).

Noel- I live in Minneapolis and recently got a new passport. I'm not sure about all locations but at least here you can do a "walk up" (no appointment) to get a new passport added to your current Global Entry. I waited about 20 minutes for an officer to do it. Also, your current Global Entry will be good for a year after its expiration date if you apply for it before it expires. (This information comes from numerous news sources but the CBP still has not updated its website, so who know the real story.) BTW, your Global Entry card by itself works as a "Real ID" and this is confirmed on the Homeland Security website. Good luck!

In Ohio, she can also use last years US tax return.

Thanks Jason...I checked and VA wont let us use a tax return. I didn't realize Global Entry card could be used so will give the wife that for now

Noel - In San Francisco I didn't need an appointment to do a passport number change with Global Entry. I had also changed my name which is why I needed to go in person rather than doing it all online. While paying for parking is definitely a bummer, the entire process took 10 minutes, including waiting.

I'm also currently waiting for my renewal conditional approval. Applied last week. Let's hope for the best.