Rookie mistake... tight connection
- Thread starter Flyfish
- Start date
WinAir did not weigh my roll aboard carry on and it was about 30 or 40 lbs., nor did they weigh my checked luggage suitcase (don't ask..). The carry on was gate checked, no problem, and you wait on the tarmac until they unload the "carry on" size bags where you pick it up, in both SBH and SXM. They deliver your regular suitcase to the baggage claim.
Also, just a note. The best sunscreen I have used anywhere is the Garnier sunscreen, which you can find at Marché U. I always bring a ton back to the US, as we can not get it here. It is very hard to order as Amazon does not ship it anymore, so buy extra if you like it. It comes in all sizes and SPFs; the new aerosol spray version is great for the beach, and the clear version which is spray, but not aerosol, is my favorite as it is not sticky. I spent a couple of hours in Hermès but I am not sure what of the toiletries they carry. Eau d'Orange Verte is my favorite, though; Le Guanahani used to have that as their bathroom toiletries brand before Clarins..it was amazing, but the Clarins is great, too. Don't use perfume in the sun though; it can cause brown spots/irritation. Ligne St Barth makes amazing sunscreen but it is heavier and harder to rub in. Not sure if it is a "guy" product, but you need to buy it on island because thanks to our dear FDA, they don't let Ligne St Barth send it to America:culpability:.
Bon voyage! DM
Also, just a note. The best sunscreen I have used anywhere is the Garnier sunscreen, which you can find at Marché U. I always bring a ton back to the US, as we can not get it here. It is very hard to order as Amazon does not ship it anymore, so buy extra if you like it. It comes in all sizes and SPFs; the new aerosol spray version is great for the beach, and the clear version which is spray, but not aerosol, is my favorite as it is not sticky. I spent a couple of hours in Hermès but I am not sure what of the toiletries they carry. Eau d'Orange Verte is my favorite, though; Le Guanahani used to have that as their bathroom toiletries brand before Clarins..it was amazing, but the Clarins is great, too. Don't use perfume in the sun though; it can cause brown spots/irritation. Ligne St Barth makes amazing sunscreen but it is heavier and harder to rub in. Not sure if it is a "guy" product, but you need to buy it on island because thanks to our dear FDA, they don't let Ligne St Barth send it to America:culpability:.
Bon voyage! DM
cassidain
Senior Insider
Andy, I've never seen one used either, but if I were always comfortably ensconced in my first class cubicle, a glass of wine in hand, by the time the hoi polloi were subjected to "the thing", I certainly don't think I would have ever see one in use...even after flying 6 million miles.
andynap
Senior Insider
Cass- it's there for a reason not just decorative. It's so that the non-informed know what size is expected not that the bags are actually put in one- although way back I did see it used. The gate agents can eyeball a bag pretty good and that's why there are always bags lined up right at the boarding point.
SherylB
Senior Insider
This past Monday, Air Canada here in Toronto instituted new measures to evaluate the size and weight of passengers' carry on bags. Not only do they have staff stationed at check in areas but also at security checkpoints - so people who check in online and head straight to security will also be subject to review. Apparently if your bag is rejected you will have to go back to check your bag - but will be given a card to get you back to the front of the security line.
So that silver thing is definitely alive and well if you plan to fly Air Canada out of Toronto anytime soon!
So that silver thing is definitely alive and well if you plan to fly Air Canada out of Toronto anytime soon!
Oh, one more caution: When we were at the departure gate downstairs at SXM, the gate agents set up a table at the gate to randomly select people as they walked past, where they would look through your carry on luggage before you got to get on your bus to the airplane. DD's advice is, never be the first person in the line, so you have a better chance of getting through without getting stopped. I have seen a lot of this in Europe, but this was the first time I saw that in SXM. In Europe, there seems to be a second security either to enter the waiting room to your gate, or in the hallway where you have to put your hand carry luggage through another X-ray machine, and I almost got left behind in Germany because I did not know to leave extra time. I almost got left behind once in Amsterdam as the line to the second gate security was really long, as Dave dragged me out of Duty Free. Lesson learned...I wonder how much time I will need in Heathrow..the attractions are many, from what I heard..!
jayhawkgirl
SBH Insider
That carryon rule is a joke. I wish the airlines would start to enforce the carryon size boxes, and count the number of bags people are trying to bring on the aircraft. Some people we have seen abusing the system take there giant carryon bags, and automatically gate check them just before they board the aircraft, saving checked bag fees.
As for useful information, we have traveled many times from Kansas City, mostly on Delta, and SBC, with checked bags. SBC is amazing in SXM. Twice they have put us on earlier SBC flights (once avoiding a transfer from SXM to the Grand Case airport, and this year, just bumping us onto an earlier flight, even going so far as to look for us in the customs line coming off the Delta flight). Once several years ago, the SBC gate agent got us on an earlier WinAir flight (which I don't know if they still do that with the changes in WinAir).
Just as I say that, you will have some kind of delay that stresses your process. Even though we have never used Premium IV in the airport, we know Vincent from a villa we stayed at on the island (he was their concierge), and have used James to help us book cars on the island. They are good people, and I have read nothing but great reports about their services in the SXM airport. It sounds as though engaging their services would make your trip more stress free.
Don't worry about your carryon size. The SBC planes are mostly small, and usually, you just throw your carry on in the back of the passenger cabin. They will weigh it to balance the weight in the small aircraft, but we have never had a problem with being a little overweight on the bags (checked and unchecked) with SBC.
If your son is adventuresome, you might ask if he wants to ride up front in what would be the co-captains seat on the small aircraft. If he is afraid of flying, I would recommend you distract him, by encouraging him to take pictures out the plane side window on the landing in SBH, and sit toward the middle or back of the aircraft.
As to the comment made by Davesmom, I have seen the tables in the departure area of SXM for the big planes, but you don't need to worry about them for the short flight over from SXM to SBH (I haven't seen any tables near the small commuter planes gates). I have only run into the tables being used after going through security one time, and that wasn't in SXM, it was in Mexico.
Flyfish, I understand your concern, but if you and your son both have a carryon and a small personal item, checking in at the transit gate, going through security and up to the gate is quick. We did it this past February and the whole process may have taken 15 minutes. I would chance it in June, without hiring the extra service and yes, we bought most toiletries at one of the drug stores or Marché U.
Unfortunately, our SBC flight was a later one and we could not catch the earlier flight. This was in February and I think there were only 3-4 flights offered that day anyway. We fly US Air and if you follow their carryon guidelines, you'll be fine.
We've used the service in February in the past, when checking bags and having a super close connection, and if you do check, it might be worth the peace of mind to use the service. I'd probably lean toward the carryon and taking a chance. SBC weighed both our carryon bags and personal items in SXM and in SBH.
It's definitely a concern that your first flight is on time so you can make that connection in SXM…coming from the midwest, I fret about it every trip, but so far, we've always made it. When our kids were that age, they each had a carryon and a backpack…no problems at all with the SBC flights.
Maybe have a SXM backup plan in place, like taking the ferry...Good luck.
bev
Unfortunately, our SBC flight was a later one and we could not catch the earlier flight. This was in February and I think there were only 3-4 flights offered that day anyway. We fly US Air and if you follow their carryon guidelines, you'll be fine.
We've used the service in February in the past, when checking bags and having a super close connection, and if you do check, it might be worth the peace of mind to use the service. I'd probably lean toward the carryon and taking a chance. SBC weighed both our carryon bags and personal items in SXM and in SBH.
It's definitely a concern that your first flight is on time so you can make that connection in SXM…coming from the midwest, I fret about it every trip, but so far, we've always made it. When our kids were that age, they each had a carryon and a backpack…no problems at all with the SBC flights.
Maybe have a SXM backup plan in place, like taking the ferry...Good luck.
bev
I was only referring to international flights out of SXM when it came to the tables where they stop random people to check hand luggage. They don't check anything once you are past security and into the gate area for the little SXM-SBH airlines. Sorry if I mislead you! I am with bto on the probably don't need the services of Premium IV. I know they have a great rep, no problem there, but since I drag so much stuff with me all the time, I have never had any problem doing it or getting through on any flight in 11 years and haven't missed one yet. I have never traveled with "carryon only", which would be a DD dream, but of course, that is never going to happen!! I think you could do it on your own unless you are really nervous about connection time. The only time you might get a little slowed down is if you have "banned" items in your carryon..hear that, DD? (The Rhum Vanille incident of 2013..)
Great insight from everyone... emailed SBC today to see if a later flight was available, no luck. The kind representative (Alexandra) seemed to imply that the connection should not be a problem should we arrive to SXM on time. Famous last words!
jayhawkgirl, great tip on riding shotgun! My son would love it. btw, I'll be sure to wear my old KU t-shirt from "The Wheel" on SBH... RockChalk!
bto and the rest, thanks for the help.
We'll just pack light and carry-on and enjoy whatever adventure that ensues. Thanks again!
jayhawkgirl, great tip on riding shotgun! My son would love it. btw, I'll be sure to wear my old KU t-shirt from "The Wheel" on SBH... RockChalk!
bto and the rest, thanks for the help.
We'll just pack light and carry-on and enjoy whatever adventure that ensues. Thanks again!
:up::up:
In Europe, you won't get on a low-cost airline such as Ryanair or EasyJet without having to put your carry-on through the "thing". Gate agents make commissions out of the bags that don't fit in (as an incentive). If the bag doesn't fit it, then the passenger is charged a set fee to check it in.
But again, if they wouldn't charge so much money to check a bag in the first place, then passengers wouldn't try to increase the size of their carry-ons. Modern airplanes were not designed to have all passengers traveling with carry-ons only. The cabin is just too small and there are large holds available underneath the cabin.
This is simply a money-making exercice for low-cost airlines.
In my book: a rip off.
