We traveled via SXM to SBH last January 2018 which was a disaster, and returned through the same the 3rd week of February which was not very much better (save for the Quonset hut waiting room that had been erected in the 4 weeks of our stay.) Does anyone know if things have dramatically improved in SXM's operation since, and if there is any reason to believe that January 2019 will be significantly improved. If you have knowledge on the matter kindly advise the date of your reporting!
Thanks!
We have been through SXM 3 times since Irma. The first was in November and likely similar to your January experience. In late April we flew Jet Blue from JFK--one of us in on monday, the other on wednesday, and were literally into airport and out--on SBC plane in air--in less than 45 minutes. On our return, also on a monday, the check in area was a bit more crowded but we didn't wait too long in the departure tent before our flight left on time. All in all it was pretty painless considering the overall situation.
We just arrived home last night after a beautiful week on sbh and am sad to report that this time, traveling United (which currently only flies on saturdays in and out of EWR), was a totally different experience. I think flying in and out on summer saturdays contributed to the experience. On the way down, landing and the transfer process didn't take long, the departure tent was crowded but manageable and we waited a few hours for our SBC connection due to availability of flights. We fortunately found a table next to the bar and watched the soccer so all was fine. SBC was on time and smooth as always.
On the way back this past Saturday, it was a bad situation. We arrived to SXM on 11:30 SBC flight by 11:40, were checked in and through security by 12:15 which was fine for a 1:30 flight, but once in the departure tent it was very crowded and very hot--apparently when there are more people than there are seats the a/c doesn't work too well. They have many fans but it's still hot. That wasn't as difficult as the lack of seating and over crowding. We managed to stand and wait until boarding and were fortunate (or so we thought) to be in the first group to board, only to get to the plane by bus and be told there was a maintenance issue so were taken back to the tent. United told us every 15 minutes for the rest of the afternoon that they "did not yet have an update" until at 5pm--4 hours later--the flight was cancelled. In those 4 hours of mostly standing (for lack of seats) the tent continued to overfill with people, and at one point got so overcrowded with bodies within inches of one another, extremely hot, tired and with almost no where move, it became a security hazard. Granted, they didn't plan on having an entire (full) plane of extra people waiting in the tent all afternoon but it was beyond uncomfortable for many, especially elderly and families with small children. For lack of anywhere to even stand, our friend ended up going to the corner where the extra wheelchairs are stored and unfolded one to sit down. After being taken to Simpson Bay for the night, and dinner at Vesna Taverna (thank you Kevin for the recommendation!) we found ourselves back at SXM yesterday morning in time for the game. It was much less crowded and less hot, and we enjoyed as much of the game as possible before our flight left on time.
My advice: if traveling through sxm, try to do so during the week. If on a weekend, sunday preferable to saturday. If saturday, be prepared for crowds! We will be through again in November on saturdays (again due to United EWR-SXM schedule) and will keep fingers crossed! The workers at SXM are helpful and really doing their best. Hope this helps.
