TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Flying AA through STT heads up!

It appears that, in order to insure on time departures, AA is going to require arriving at STT 3 hours before a flight and check in counters will close 90 minutes before a flight. Evidently the TSA baggage clearing process and AA's baggage handling are so inefficient that it takes more than an hour to insure they make it onto the plane.

Good to know - when there are 2,3 or 4 flights all leaving about the same time TSA and C&I will have long lines for sure. I am not sure any thing can ensure 'on -time' departure though!

Our November trip is booked on US Air. Hopefully, the merger progress will continue to drag through then.

USAir counter service at STT is horrible..those folks seem mighty pi$$ed at the takeover and take it out on their customers..

Most of the ticket counter people in STT are contact workers. It's possible the USAIR people are not going to see the contract picked up and will be let go.
G

Based on their attitude and efficiency they should be let go..

Glenn is this an airline decision or FAA, which usually makes the rules.

Check in times are set by the airlines. All bags now have to be TSA screened so airlines have added some time for screening. At most that adds about 15 minutes. Most airlines require you to check in 90 minutes prior for a international flight because a positive bag match is required. That means once your bag is checked the aircraft can't depart until you are onboard regardless of how long it takes for customs and security. Domestic varies by station but is usually 45 minutes with bags and 30 without.

I heard from friends in USVI this is being driven by AA and the problems with blown connections. This means that you must be finished checking in, not in line, 90 minutes before departure.

Not a problem if you are carryon only and have printed your boarding pass ahead of time.

Cheers, RickG

Does AA let you do emailed boarding passes to your pda?

I got mine via email and iphone app on Monday.

Cheers, RickG

Hi Rick, thanks. At least you are partly checked in at that stage.

If you are carry on only you can check in online with any of the airlines. As long as you can get to the gate 15 minutes before departure your good to go!
G

Doesn't affect us at all. Haven't checked a bag in years.

What do you do about suntan lotion? That is the only item I am concerned about. Do you purchase it in Roadtown?

I don't understand how checking in earlier would impact on whether you make a connection stateside. You are on the plane or not.

AA claims the problem is late departures from STT caused by slow loading.

A funny thing has happened recently in the airline industry. Management has discovered there is actually money to be made if you run a good airline. Where it really shows up is in large corporate contracts. They will pay a revenue premium for a strong on time performance and high completion rate. When those contracts start shifting and a big revenue advantage shows up for the better performing airlines it gets noticed.
G

We bring 2oz tubes of Kiss my Face sunscreen and just put them in our quart bags. Since we have Pre-check now, though, we don't have to take them out of our carry-ons.

Suntan lotion can be purchased in all of the grocery stores!

goozee

We always have an ample supply at CRC for all friends and guests..saves a lot of hassle.

regarding the merger... NOT SMOOTH!!
2 weekends ago flew USAir flight from Charlotte to Dallas and AA flight to Aspen, had to deal with both companies to get boarding passes and seat assignments in that the computer systems are not totally integrated. Also had to go to the AA counter in Charlotte to get it done!
A long way from "seamless" service.

The next trip down I am doing carry on only. My excuse in the past for the checking a bag has been the large quantities of suntan lotion I use while there. I should have looked at the types available at the stores but you and Mal have given me confidence to not worry about it <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Karen

There is plenty of lotion available in the BVI. You might be shocked at the price. Consider checking a collapsible bag going down. Throw in other expensive small items you might want and then go home with no checked bags.
G

George! Lol leave without a bag? I am just happy at this point that I am ok with just a checked bag.

Now I have to find the perfect bag. I don't want to use my usual wheeled carry on. Maybe a back pack?? Wheeled duffle? What do you check bagged peeps use? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Another good reason for flying into San Juan

Measure carefully as the airlines have gotten stricter about carry-on size; went to Birmingham in April and had to put my bag into that box...turns out the bag was fine, it was the wheels that put it 1 inch over...really annoying way to start a trip.