IMHO

I thought the transfer going down through SXM was way more tolerable that hanging out in PR on the way back.

1. This time, for us, there was no benefit to going through customs on TW. Had to make the 2 mile jaunt to the huge immigration hall to at I haven’t seen since my AA days. (with torn foot ligaments, I found out yesterday) Although not too crowded, and still better than JFK or MIA, it wiped out the benefit of TW. Construction, or something in the TW entry.
2. Aside from the TW lounge that we got to hang in for a few hours, still had to go through a torturous security and into hell of the terminal A departure area. Only Popeyes is open, and at 1:00, the guy opened the bar with one hot dish. You really feel like you are in a nightmare, and with a big storm in Boston, I almost jumped ship to Condado a few times.
3. Although I admit we still would always go back on TW because there is a direct JB flight to Boston.
4. Having gone down through sxm most times, it isn’t worth the extra money to us To go through PR going down. Sxm has fond memories for us, and we are in vacation mode once we get on the plane in Boston.

that sucks

Eve, I hope your happy memories of SBH can wipe out that SJU experience. You just never know these days what you will encounter, no matter where you switch planes. I appreciate you sharing your experience of SJU with us. We have had similar experiences there years ago as well as returning through MIA, another nightmarish experience, with the customs busting people with fake passports right in front of us.. Hoping your foot is better with a bit of rest and maybe some leftover rhum vanille. For the first time, we are returning through Charlotte, NC (gulp...) on AA on a short layover...getting concerned we will get stuck there but we have been stuck in ATL before, too. Hope you made it home to BOS with no further aggravation!

davesmom said:

Eve, I hope your happy memories of SBH can wipe out that SJU experience. You just never know these days what you will encounter, no matter where you switch planes. I appreciate you sharing your experience of SJU with us. We have had similar experiences there years ago as well as returning through MIA, another nightmarish experience, with the customs busting people with fake passports right in front of us.. Hoping your foot is better with a bit of rest and maybe some leftover rhum vanille. For the first time, we are returning through Charlotte, NC (gulp...) on AA on a short layover...getting concerned we will get stuck there but we have been stuck in ATL before, too. Hope you made it home to BOS with no further aggravation!

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Daves Mom, Good luck at CLT, tho a few years ago now, flying from SJU or SXM or ? we have missed our connecting flight to SAV because of the onslaught of several flights from the Caribbean arriving within minutes of each other, so that Customs was a nightmare. Allow plenty of time between connections at CLT, or anywhere.

davesmom said:

Eve, I hope your happy memories of SBH can wipe out that SJU experience. You just never know these days what you will encounter, no matter where you switch planes. I appreciate you sharing your experience of SJU with us. We have had similar experiences there years ago as well as returning through MIA, another nightmarish experience, with the customs busting people with fake passports right in front of us.. Hoping your foot is better with a bit of rest and maybe some leftover rhum vanille. For the first time, we are returning through Charlotte, NC (gulp...) on AA on a short layover...getting concerned we will get stuck there but we have been stuck in ATL before, too. Hope you made it home to BOS with no further aggravation!

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do you have Global Entry?

Does one not have to go thru passport control with this app ?

NancySC said:

Daves Mom, Good luck at CLT, tho a few years ago now, flying from SJU or SXM or ? we have missed our connecting flight to SAV because of the onslaught of several flights from the Caribbean arriving within minutes of each other, so that Customs was a nightmare. Allow plenty of time between connections at CLT, or anywhere.

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That is what I am afraid of, but it was the only connection we could get. We normally fly through ATL on Delta but there are no flights less than 24 hour layovers (!) returning on Delta. I almost expect to miss my flight back to SAN from CLT but is it AA's fault if they don't give us enough time to clear customs? I do not get the impression that they take responsibility for anything anymore, if you read their fine print. Yes, for sure, we have Global Entry, so I am hoping that will expedite things but it is always a crapshoot coming into customs no matter where you arrive. We are returning mid-week, so I am hoping that will be a bit of an advantage..

Trinigerl said:

if you don't have global entry you can use the mobile passport app. Very easy to use and you go in the same line as global entry folks, We've been using it for a few years now from SXM-MIA-IAH.

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:up:

Eve said:

1. This time, for us, there was no benefit to going through customs on TW. Had to make the 2 mile jaunt to the huge immigration hall to at I haven’t seen since my AA days. Although not too crowded, and still better than JFK or MIA, it wiped out the benefit of TW. Construction, or something in the TW entry.

2. Aside from the TW lounge that we got to hang in for a few hours, still had to go through a torturous security and into hell of the terminal A departure area.

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is this a temporary imposition due to construction re immigration hall, security, and "the hell of terminal A departure area"?

would TA VIP service have smoothed all that out ? is there value, in general, for $200 VIP service?

VIP with Tradewind is only for your way in to SBH...However upon arrival in SJU on way home a Tradewind staff member should escort you to your departure gate

oh.

isn't there immigration/customs/security between TA arrival and one's departure gate?

cassidain said:

oh.

isn't there immigration/customs/security between TA arrival and one's departure gate?

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Great question, Cass . . . and opportunity to clarify.

Yes, there is "immigration/customs" between Tradewind arrival at SJU and one's departure gate. However, at the risk of evoking elitism in describing it, this process has been -- in my experience -- limited to the 8 or so (at most) passengers on my Tradewind flight, without any other competing in-transit passengers. Explaining, in part, the premium cost of Tradewind service. I don't know the in's-&-out's of the system, but that's the way it is.

Then, as one leaves "immigration," a Tradewind representative is present to escort each passenger to his / her airline check-in counter (or, if not needed, to the appropriate TSA check-in line). The Tradewind rep, thus, has never taken me to my ultimate departure gate, but has facilitated my transit to the farthest point that Tradewind can do so (barring, perhaps, the situation where a passenger needs wheelchair or other extra assistance).

And they lead you to, and often help you through the USDA scan which must be completed before checking in with your airline.

Thank you, gentlemen !
So, Eve’s unfortunate experience an outlier, in your opinions ?

I meant they lead you through everything up to the check in desk, not departure gate...my bad.

cassidain said:

Thank you, gentlemen !
So, Eve’s unfortunate experience an outlier, in your opinions ?

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I think, Cass, that the most relevant portion of Eve's post was as follows:

1. . . . there was no benefit to going through customs on TW. Had to make the 2 mile jaunt to the huge immigration hall to at I haven’t seen since my AA days.. . . Although not too crowded, and still better than JFK or MIA, it wiped out the benefit of TW. Construction, or something in the TW entry.
2. Aside from the TW lounge that we got to hang in for a few hours, still had to go through a torturous security and into hell of the terminal A departure area.

With regard to #1, going through customs -- as offered with Tradewind -- is, IMO, painless and a pleasure compared to the alternative of entering the US at any mainland point of entry. Moreover, the "2 mile jaunt to the huge immigration hall" is not so different, I believe, than the hike that typically is found in domestic transfer airports (for me, usually Miami or Charlotte).

#2: ". . . torturous security and into hell of the terminal A departure area." Is Tradewind responsible for these matters . . . or SJU materially different? Whether it be SXM, MIA, CLT, ATL, or any other transfer point, my experience is that "security" never is pleasant (and can be torturous) . . . and the JetBlue departure area is no more disturbing to me than a long corridor of gates (1 through 24 or more), with hordes of people pushing & shoving along the way. (SXM, as I recall, also doesn't offer today food options better than Popeye's.)

In reading Eve's post, I was empathetic to her complaint. I'm sorry that she and Jim and her sister had to endure all of it. Personally, however, the ease of customs transfer at SJU is an enormous benefit . . . worth the premium of Tradewind travel. And the distance traveled and unpleasant waiting environment for JetBlue (& other airlines) are not as grievous for me as the SXM experience.

No doubt . . . a matter of personal stamina and preference.

Airport renovations made for longer treks, a pity. However, taking advantage of the help and the guidance and the know how of the TW hostess was so appreciated by this aging traveler.

So, coming down, we think carry-on only is prudent, as we arrive SJU late, after TA agents gone for the evening, then spend the nite at the airport hotel, then catch a 09h55 TA flight to SBH.
Coming back, will checked bags be a nuisance thru the customs/immigration/check-in process, or will TA agents smooth the way ?

Checked bags on departure are not a problem. On way down, checked bags would not be a problem . . . especially if you get the VIP service.