TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin What a cluster!

Boarded a redeye out of Portland last night around 10 p.m. and arrived just before 6:00 a.m. in Charlotte. I had nearly a four-hour layover which I spent in the Admirals Club. There was plenty of time to change into lighter-weight clothing. I was disappointed that no hot food was available; a sign said due to renovations.

Arrival in SXM was a couple of minutes before 3:00 p.m. We had stairs, not a ramp. I had ordered wheelchair service, which was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. When he saw I was struggling with my roller in addition to my "personal item," he bounded up the stairs to get my suitcase and carry it down for me. He dropped me off at the bus as we were quite a way away from the terminal, and it took a good 20 minutes for the bus to fill up. While riding the bus, I saw AT LEAST another American flight in addition to Jet Blue and West Jet disembarking. Wheelchair assistance met the bus to take me to immigration. I was floored when I saw the length of the line waiting outside to get into the hall. No way could I have stood however long it took waiting in the heat. As it was, I was taken direct to immigration and then to the baggage claim area. OMG! It was packed! Ran in to some friends who said we also were preceded by Air France and Delta flights.

The fellow pushing my wheelchair knew it would be awhile before my flight's bags came out so he left me with my chair, saying he would return when my bags were available. The hall was a zoo. There was A/C, but with so many people, it was pretty ineffective. The fellow returned in about half an hour, got my bags, and wheeled me outside. Apparently one Hertz van had already left as it was full. He left me with my bags and said he would return when another Hertz van came around. He didn't return so I made my way to the van on my own. It was another full load.

For at least the last three times I've rented from Hertz, they will not confirm an economy car saying they don't have any in their fleet, even though they are shown on their website. However, when I get to the counter and ask if an economy is available, it has been. I have a VERY bright yellow little car with a French plate. Even though Hertz is less expensive because they include liability in their rate, the hassle of getting to their office when there are lots of people is getting old.

The Horny Toad is beautiful as always, and I had a quick, early dinner at The Palms with friends. Off to bed as I didn't sleep on the plane last night.

Glad you arrived. This arrival situation is a real mess.

In a bit of irony, PJIA just put out 'Restoring A Princes -Episode 15- T. A. F. PHASE 3', touting the arrival facility. We will arrive Sunday, shall see how it goes/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Thhbn0uqs

Linda,

Hopefully you do some good restaurant reviews.
Any plans on where you are going to eat?

Your reviews are on point in that we have similar tastes.

I know it is far from Simpson Bay but Les Galets in Orient is worth the drive.

Sorry to disappoint, Msho, but eating isn't a focus this trip. I am still eating Keto (have lost more than 50 lbs.) so am limiting my diet to protein, very low carbs, and a little fat. Les Galets not on the itinerary.

Linda--Definitely sounds like the arrival was less than auspicious! However, you have I think five weeks to unwind?? Congrats on the weight loss!!

Best wishes on your change of diet .

Jazzgal, we arrived on the Delta flight before you. What a mess. They make you wait in lines outside (covered thank goodness) and then let you in to immigration as space permits. Immigration actually moved pretty fast. Then you move on to the baggage claim area and it is small and CROWDED. Air France and West Jet were ahead of us. Took us about 45 minutes to get our bags. The only good thing is that they announced which airline bags were coming in so you can wait outside the crowd of people scrambling for bags until your airline is called. We were talking to a porter and he told us to wait until Delta was called to squeeze through to the carousel. But the single carousel is small so it’s a challenge getting your bags. But it definitely is a Cluster…

Now you have me wondering if we take a checked bag in two weeks that we would bring items to be left behind or ship a box there and just do carry on for the flights. Landing on a Sunday and usually carry on only. Hope to hear all is a bit better in a week or two! lol

Linda, same routing for us there and back by the sounds of it. I am getting better at sleeping on a jet, MJ has it mastered. The only positive of a red eye for us is that on the first night we usually sleep well and then are time adjusted or at least a lot closer to time adjusted.

Countdown is getting real.

I'm wondering the same thing. We may just end up buying all of our liquids there this trip.

I just see it as a big inconvenience opon arrival with your whole time in paradise ahead of you. Not enough o make me want to worry about it. If for some reason it's not fully functional by th time May rolls around I'll just make the best of it. A lot of sweat and worry about extra time upon arrival that may or might not be depending on others arriving same time. Plenty of other things to worry about in this day and age than this.

Its not a big worry, it is a convenience issue that can be solved by making adjustments and that is what we are considering. Worry issues would be like what would we do if The Palms ran out of Greg's Lasagna before we ordered, that keeps me up at night.

If it's a convenience issue it's only a short disruption that would not greatly inpact most peoples trip. For sure not mine.

The inconvenience is indeed small price to pay for entrance to Paradise. But it's just incredibly aggravating that the planning was so poor. Surely somepne should have noticed that the temporary facility was too small. Do we have any idea how long the "temporary" facility will be in use?

I don't see that there will be any improvement in the short term. This is the temporary arrival facility that will be in use until the new one is finished and opened. Hopefully sometime in 2024. Convenience all depends on how many planes arrive at the same time. For those that can travel with carry-ons only, I recommend doing so.

pony--the new arrival facility is supposed to be in use in the first quarter of 2024, I think.

I believe the video SANFILIP linked to says the TAF will be in use through July. I believe they originally said end of quarter two.

Oh, crap. No, I know that originally they said sometime before June, because we normally go in June and I was really hoping that the full arrivals hall would be open. They just keep moving things back.

It’s a couple hours of pain and then you’re done. It was probably longer to get into immigration which everyone has to go through and then you can ask a porter to help you get your luggage and then tip accordingly.

I agree and well said.

I wasn't complaining or worrying, folks. This was just information for those arriving after me.

I wondered how my wheelchair porter would know when bags for my flight were going to be available. I didn't realize they were announcing it. At least they are doing one thing right!

Yep. I slept until after 8 a.m.

I hear ya. Good info for future arrivals.