Sxm arrival question

trey

SBH Insider
Before Irma, one could carry on bags and go directly to sbc/winair checkin without immigration stopoff. Is that still the procedure now or is everyone routed together?
 
Everyone is directed to Immigration, but there was a special line for "Transfer" passengers. After that the "Transfer" passengers have to go through security in another tent.
 
Another few days and the new temporary terminal should open to have luggage on carrousel and ease transit
we should start providing VIP service as of feb 15th if all goes well....
 
So glad to hear this! We missed your smiling face this trip - we traveled through SJU. we look forward to seeing you soon!
 
Great to see you posting, Vincent! Hope you and your family are well and glad to see you and your team will be up and running again soon! (Sorry - didn’t mean to hijack trey’s post).

Gary & Gayle
 
Re-asking this question.

Has this procedure changed since February when Tim referenced the Transfer line?

Thanks
 
After deplaning, everyone boarded buses which took us to the "Arrival" tent. There was a separate line for "Transit" that passes through immigration. As our (Delta) plane was the only one at that time, there was no wait. The only transit desk (SBC in our case) we experienced was on the other side of the immigration stations and in the baggage area. Once SBC had enough passengers for a flight, they escorted our group from the Arrival tent to the Departure tent through a door marked "Transit". I don't recall going through any security screening as a transit passenger. From landing to departure the whole process took maybe 45min and we arrived at SBH an hour early.

I would imagine that the amount of hassle is directly dependent on the timing of the incoming flights. Shortly after us, a (late) Spirit and (on-time) Jet Blue flight arrived. We overheard the SBC folks excitedly discussing that they had to get our group in the air before the next batch of passengers. Could be coincidental, but all the US planes I saw were smaller 737's possibly reflecting reduced demand.
 
After deplaning, everyone boarded buses which took us to the "Arrival" tent. There was a separate line for "Transit" that passes through immigration. As our (Delta) plane was the only one at that time, there was no wait. The only transit desk (SBC in our case) we experienced was on the other side of the immigration stations and in the baggage area. Once SBC had enough passengers for a flight, they escorted our group from the Arrival tent to the Departure tent through a door marked "Transit". I don't recall going through any security screening as a transit passenger. From landing to departure the whole process took maybe 45min and we arrived at SBH an hour early.

I would imagine that the amount of hassle is directly dependent on the timing of the incoming flights. Shortly after us, a (late) Spirit and (on-time) Jet Blue flight arrived. We overheard the SBC folks excitedly discussing that they had to get our group in the air before the next batch of passengers. Could be coincidental, but all the US planes I saw were smaller 737's possibly reflecting reduced demand.

so do you have to go through immigration even if you have carried on baggage?
 
We checked bags, but our friends on the same flight didn't and I'm pretty sure they went through the same line as us. The SBC (and Winair, I assume) transit desk is in the baggage area, unlike the "old" building, so there is no separation between carry-on only and checked baggage passengers. Unless multiple planes arrive at the same time, I can't imagine the transit immigration line being an issue as there were only a dozen or so of us.
 
We just came back flying SBC to and from SXM. Things were efficient and quicker than "normal." The only downside is that the departure tent is pretty bleak with barely enough seating and only a handful of places to buy anything. If you're flying home from SXM I recommend buying food at SBH and taking with you.
 
we had an interesting experience yesterday. booked on the 5pm Tradewind flight from SJU to SBH, we took off on time into cloudy, slightly rainy skies in San Juan. By the time we approached SBH, the sky was very dark and it was pouring rain, with what the pilot said was less than 1 mile of visibility. they circled for about 20 minutes until fuel was a concern, made a U-turn and went to Juliana in SXM. We deplaned at about 6.20pm, they refueled, we re-boarded and the pilots said they had one shot at it time-wise. It was getting dark but luckily yesterday was the second longest day of the year and they had a window until 7.05pm to land. We took off at about 6:55 and landed at 7.03pm, when the storm had almost abated, to much applause by the 8 passengers who did not really want to spend the night in SXM in it could be avoided. the pilot did a great job!

but you should see how desolate the landing tent is at SXM at 6:30pm when all food and drink options are closed and they are cleaning up for the night. but they were very welcoming to our little band of travelers making an unexpected stop!
 
We got to SXM at 5:30 and no more planes were leaving...time of year and remaining daylight matter. You really hit the jackpot this time.
 
I'm happy that there was a fuel truck available for the plane. Tradewind at SXM, by the way, must have been a pretty big deal. I don't recall it ever happening.
 
I'm happy that there was a fuel truck available for the plane. Tradewind at SXM, by the way, must have been a pretty big deal. I don't recall it ever happening.
Except for the people on the flight I bet no one noticed
 
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