TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands St. Thomas Airport Porters

My son and daughter will be leaving out of St. Thomas during the Christmas holidays and we thought that the porter help option would be a good idea. I've read the many post on this forum and generally understand how they work, but a couple quick reminders would be helpful.
Where do you find them and what is a common tip? Thanks.

It used to work great, give the porter $20 and go to the front of the line, but I think the secret is out. A few weeks ago, we went through the regular Customs line while the other 2 in our group got a porter because they had luggage. We made it through security a good 30 min. before they did. Your mileage may vary.

We flew out of STT last month on a Monday afternoon, what a Zoo! We didn't use the Red Cap Porters but sure wish we did, we arrived 2 plus hours prior to our departure but didn't have time to sit in the terminal once we made it through the gauntlet, we just went right to the plane boarding line. We saw many people using the Porters, they did make it through faster. I asked a porter what the fee was and I think it was $3 per bag. The porters are in uniform and easy to spot, just ask. But, as Tradewinds stated it really depends on how busy the airport is.

Good luck,

Tony

Yeah, that sucked. Good thing I was "packin'" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I usually see them hanging around right at the curb side.

This lady is the porter at STT airport to call!

http://stthomassource.com/content/news/l...travel-pressure

She sure is! I have her cell# penciled into all of our passports. Last time we were at the STT airport, she had an assistant working the cell phone and organizing her clients.

Can not say enough about her and her relatives that will help you if she is not there.
Keeps you from having an unpleasant departure.

She sounds like the Kevin Cambell of the porter world!
I might be missing something but we've never experienced huge delays getting thru STT on departure day. We arrive about 2 hrs before flights. We do get do use the sky priority line at the delta counter. Where does the bog down happen? We're always sitting at the gate with way too much time on our hands.

Flying in and out of STT several times a year I find the place starts getting very busy late morning, early afternoon..get there by 10 /10.30 and you'll cruise through.One tip..if you arrive by ferry from the BVI's get two customs forms from the ferry company and fill them both out so you can go straight to C and I without having to stop and write on those cramped little counters..

No forms to fill out at STT

When I flew thru STT last Monday, they mentioned it was the first day that the immigration form was no longer required. The agent simply asked if we had anything to declare. Not sure how that works but it's definitely to the travelers advantage.

Good idea, Mal!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Well no surprise since our borders are wide open <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Checking to see if the porter "fee" is still $20/person. ???

We have a group of 3 departing one week and then a group of 5 departing the next. I'm so glad I'm in the group of 5 that gets an extra week. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

We will assess the crouds when we arrive and see if we need to get a porter.

Also, do we need to complete forms in STT before heading back to US? In this thread someone recommends we grab 2 forms from the ferry. If only carry on luggage that's a huge help!

Thanks!

STT airport no longer makes you fill out the little blue forms.

It was my observation at the very crowded STT airport last week that if everyone hires a redcap, no one is special.

The main line at passport control moved very quickly, while the line of redcaps was backed up out the door, and moving pretty slowly. I didn't see any benefit to having paid someone to "get you through faster". But your mileage may vary. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I gave a porter $20 for 2 people and he said thank you and happy new year! $20 per person sounds very high to me.

The porter charge $3 per bag and is kind of a crap shoot whether it'll save you any time. I've learned to just check it out when I arrive and decide accordingly.

You DO NOT have to fill out customs forms in the STT airport anymore, which makes the Customs/Immigration line go much quicker. However, now there is often a line to drop your checked luggage, in addition to the line for TSA. It's fairly easy to peek in the doors and check out the line situation for both the porters and the gen pop, and then decide if a porter is worth it for you, based on the number of bags you have and how much time you have to spare.

I'm usually dragging my iSUP, so I lean towards using a porter - I also have Delta status & a known traveler number, so the rest of it is a breeze

Felix