TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin AIRPORT YESTERDAY

Came through the PJA yesterday on our way back to Boston and it was a nightmare. Downstairs immigration was fine but once we got upstairs things started to bottleneck. There was only 1 security check open. Just as we were getting close to the scanners ( 1 hour later) they opened another lane. People were backed up, back down the stairs to the first immigration desk. Travelers were missing flights and not happy. Granted they perhaps didn't allow enough time at the airport, but it was very unflattering for the island, to watch all this happening. People were snickering about the beautiful painted banner that said , it's all about you. I love St. Maarten and will always defend how things are done differently than in the States and that's why we go there. However, This just looked bad. I believe there were 4 scanners and only one open? Then finally 2? People just looking at the shiney new EMPTY scanners and shaking there heads. It was difficult to watch <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Wouldn't doubt the people manning the security check were on a work slowdown. It's their way of protest without walking off the job. They definitely should had more lanes open on a Saturday. Have they moved the immigration check downstairs? I'm used to the check you go through downstairs is to ensure your departure tax has been paid. The exit immigration check was upstairs before you go through security last year.

Departure tax is virtually included in most ALL tickets when purchased so there is not really any check for that.

There is an initial passport and boarding pass check downstairs and has been for a couple of years. Once you get upstairs there is another check (if I recall correctly) and then the security screening.

When I departed 3 weeks ago on a Thursday there were two of the security lines open. Not sure why there would only be one on a Saturday but that for sure would slow things down.

I understand it's included on virtually any ticket you buy, but why then do they still have the window to the left of the check in counters to pay the departure tax?

It could be for the interisland flights for the small carriers like Winair, etc. Honestly, I don't recall if that window is even staffed on a regular basis. It is not something US travelers have to deal with any longer.

You don't want to put pople out of work

Winair evens adds it to their tickets. The window has always been staffed anytime I have go through. It is easy to see the person sitting behind the glass window when you are standing the departure line downstairs.

Left the island on Saturday the 19th and had the same issue - backup beginning at second check point because only 1 security point open
Once everything was totally backed up to first floor a second one was opened. Fortunately we got through for our flight and had an uneventful (best kind) trip home. Still a wonderful place to visit, had a great stay at LaPlaya/formerly LHost on Orient

We left the island on a Monday in early March. Two scanners were open and the line moved quite quickly. However, last November we flew out on a Thursday and there were two scanners open also, but the lines were very long. When we eventually got to the scanner and took out our laptops, took off shoes etc., there was a supervisor telling the operators to move faster, faster!! How can they check those screens in a appropriate and safe manner when rushed!! Not their fault there were so many travelers, the airport knows how many flights are leaving on a daily basis, it is managements job to provice enough staff to function properly. I think there are actually 3 or 4 scanners, why not use them all on busy days. In the best interest of all passengers.

Agree,
We were there and it was a zoo. Took an hour to get thru security after we entered the snake line. The second scanner opened just as we were coming out of the line. Went with the scanner line and after being scanned got a pat down, same with wife, she asked why and the lady said the machine said so. It does sound like a work slow down now.
Luckily the Jet Blue flight was leaving from an A gate rather than the bullring downstairs, so boarding was organized. Had enough time to get sandwiches and some drinks before boarding.

This just reinforces my position of not traveling on Saturdays. Stopped many years ago. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

TSA: Thousands Standing Around.

I know this won't make you feel better but it was the same way on Friday! We then were told at the gate, that we didn't have any seats because AA over booked the plane! We paid over $1,000 pp back in January for our tickets so I was NOT a happy person! We did get on the plane but were not together (4 of us). Got on the plane to be told we were being diverted to San Juan to refuel because we wouldn't have enough to make it to Philadelphia! Needless to say we missed our connection and had to spend the night there. AA did give us a hotel voucher and new tickets the next morning but made for a long a&@ trip home!

We arrived at airport this past Saturday at 8:45 am lined up for JB to open 9am opened 9:13 checked bag thru lower & upper and at our gate by 9:30 am

Not TSA's fault as here is no TSA in SXM.

I was the same today, Sunday. We checked in at the ticket counter about 10am. Long line for the upper passport control and a longer line for security with only 1 scanner line. As we got closer they opened a second line. Took about 40 minutes total.

My nephew was on that AA flight that had to stop in PR to refuel. He said they announced there was an hour delay in the flight. He went and grabbed some food and then went back to hang by the gate and lo and behold. The flight was boarding on time. He said they were all boarded and 2 more passengers were bussed out to the plane. They had gone upstairs and grabbed some food and weren't aware the announcement was a mistake. What a circus. Luckily my nephew made his connection. Sorry to hear PattyB wasn't so lucky.

Same thing happened to us last January 6 ( a Wednesday ). Checked in over 2 hours in advance. Only 2 security check points open. Got to the gate for our flight to PHL, just in time for "last call".

This happened to us a few years back when traveling with friends. Had to divert to San Juan for fuel- we were going to CLT. No one to tell us which line to get in so by the time we got to the front of the line there were no tickets home. Had to fly standby to Hartford. We got on but our friends didn't. Spent the night in a very crappy hotel. Next day their flight went through NY to get to Boston (not Hartford). Of course that was the day that Boston was on lock down because of the bomber thing. Told our friends to get off in NY. Then they had to find a way home from there on their own dime. Would have had to do it from Boston too. Horrible experience. Just curious though, did you have assigned seats for your flight? I always choose my seats when I buy the tickets. So sort of wondering how they can put 2 bodies in one seat??

We left Boston on 2/20, having had our tickets with seat assignment in hand, to find out upon boarding, we had no seats. 29 A and B. There was 27, 28, 31, 32......29 & 30 were the lavatories! They had changed planes, and neglected to tell us that our seats needed to be changed. Lucky for everyone we were at the back of the plane and only kept a few dozen people getting to their seats. They finally found an empty row in 22 (a full plane, and an empty tow??!!) all while having a PA voice say that if people would take their seats they could close the doors. Funny in a usual AA kind of snafu. Got to SXM; that's what counted. Left SXM Friday 3/18 and breezed thru C&I and security. I even had a seat to NY!

Yes we had assigned seats when our husbands booked through Orbitz. I'm the one who normally books it and go directly through the airline so not sure if that had anything to do with it, however, Orbitz booking went right to AA's website. We've always used US Airways in the past so not much experience with AA. Not many airline options getting out of Bangor, Maine

Patty,

So sorry you had this experience which isn't the best way to end an otherwise great vacation.

No one can say for sure once there's a second party involved, but we've had several friends and acquaintances who have had similar experiences when booking AA and Delta through both Expdia and Travelocity and each time the airline said the problem stemmed from who they booked and how they booked, and the airlines involved have made the same claims. I always thought that was a cop out but I'm starting to wonder.

We always book directly with the carrier, typically AA but occasionally JB depending on who has the best flights and prices for the flights we want and then we follow up regularly in checking their websites for any changes that might take place. We did have a similar problem once with AA but they tracked us down in SXM and notified us of the problem and went out of their way to accommodate us.

I could be wrong but I'm thinking in the future your husband should follow your lead and book directly with the carrier. At least then they can't tell you the other involved party is the one who messed things up.

RonDon. Didn't think JetBlue had an early morning flight. What airport did you fly into?

Probably just got there early for the noon flight

We did book directly thru AA. The flight attendants, who were trying to find us a seat (other than the lavatories) told us WE should have checked with the gate after getting our boarding pass. OK, whatever, all was good after I got something other than a potty to sit on!

Sometimes that does happen, that they change equipment at the last minute and they usually do announce that people need to check with the desk about seat assignments, but sometimes you don't hear the announcement because of just making it there from a connecting flight, going for some food or drink or to the bathroom. Glad it ultimately worked out OK for you.

You're a far more patient person than I. To have the airline personnel tell me it was MY problem for not double checking them at that point in the process would have really made me very angry. It seems logical that once you've actually checked in at a ticket counter and the ticketing agent has provided you with a boarding pass with a specified seat number, you shouldn't need to check further with other agents as to whether or not you really have a seat. They have the computer right there in front of them. Even if you printed your boarding pass at home upon checking in at the airport they should have verified that all was right and particularly today with all the extra security measures in effect. If there had been a change of equipment, they should have known that, too.

But in the end, you made it to and from St. Maarten without a major incident and you didn't have to fly in the restroom.

I truly believe, it doesn't matter who you fly with, if you fly often and/or long enough, there's bound to be an issue now and then and usually it's not the issue itself but the way in which it was handled that makes the ultimate final impression on you. Hope the rest of the trip was good. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Pat booking directly with the carrier. That's what we do and Jet Blue direct so there are no lay overs or connecting flights.

Not sure if we were on the plane you came down on Marge but we also had a problem. I departed SXM on 2/20 for CLT...I booked with AA and purchased a premium seat in row 7. I printed my boarding pass night before, but due to computer glitch I had to get my 2nd leg printed at airport. On kiosk it printed both. Noticed I was then in Row 33! I asked at counter and the girl could have cared less, she said they can move you whenever they want. That there was not a row 7 on this plane. That equipment changed. Well they moved 3 rows of people to very back of plane. All of them were pretty upset about it. Especially when they saw there was a row 5,6,7 they were business class. When we talked to flight attendant she said it had happened like 3-4 times in the past month and that we should contact customer service about it when we got back. We arrived in CLT on time and gate was open but pilot was held off the gate for 20-25 minutes. Then it took another 20 minutes to get off the plane. I have never seen people take so long to get off a plane! Customs was very busy and by the time we ran to security it was backed up and they sent us to another security area (from E to D which was closed and then all the way to B)We ran back to E once through security only to miss our plane by 3 minutes (door was closed even though plane was still there but not allowed to board guess once door is closed that is it). Saw about 10 of us the next morning all had missed connections. Not all AA fault...CLT is getting so busy they need to do something about this holding of planes off of gate this is like the 4th time this has happened to us, but first time to miss connection. AA did refund our seat charge and gave us some points, for our trouble which we were happy about, but it did cost us a room. Flying! Always an adventure these days!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />