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Delta/Winair checked bags!
- Thread starter dudleydog
- Start date
JEK
Senior Insider
IATA code is the one
Winair
Country: Antilles of Netherlands
Regional airlines in the north-eastern Caribbean
IATA code: WM
ICAO code: WIA
Head office: Airoport Road 69, Princess Juliana Airport, Simpson Bay, St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Phone number: +599 545 2568
Fax number: +599 545 4229
E-mail: info@fly-winair.com
Web-site: www.fly-winair.com
Year established: 1962
Main bases and hubs: St. Maarten Princess Juliana International
Fleet: Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, DHC-6 Twin Otter
Winair
Country: Antilles of Netherlands
Regional airlines in the north-eastern Caribbean
IATA code: WM
ICAO code: WIA
Head office: Airoport Road 69, Princess Juliana Airport, Simpson Bay, St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Phone number: +599 545 2568
Fax number: +599 545 4229
E-mail: info@fly-winair.com
Web-site: www.fly-winair.com
Year established: 1962
Main bases and hubs: St. Maarten Princess Juliana International
Fleet: Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, DHC-6 Twin Otter
For what ever its worth, I think the whole checked/no check thing is overstated. While in most cases I can make do with a carry on bag, everyone circumstance/preference is different. At worst, having to check to SXM and clear customs, adds no more than 30 mins to the journey, and often much less than that. If you need more luggage and don't want to have to deal with going through customs, the expeditors are money well spent.
elgreaux
Senior Insider
actually it can take much longer than 30 minutes and depends which way you are going... depending on your arrival time in SXM the immigration lines and then security lines can be very long, my worst experience has been over 2 hours to get through it all...
also your airline check in lines can be very long at times, unless you check in at the first class line which is faster. The old days of leaving SBH one hour before a flight to the US are long gone and on occasion even two hours has been a close shave, especially if the SBH-SXM plane is late... I do carry on whenever possible to avoid immigration and the check in hall...
also your airline check in lines can be very long at times, unless you check in at the first class line which is faster. The old days of leaving SBH one hour before a flight to the US are long gone and on occasion even two hours has been a close shave, especially if the SBH-SXM plane is late... I do carry on whenever possible to avoid immigration and the check in hall...
I was speaking more of the way down. Going to SBH, the post immigration SBC baggage check is pretty easy.
On the way, back, I agree completely - its a mistake to not allow two hours or more. Even with carry on for the return, an aggressive schedule would presume that you can print your boarding pass with no issues etc.. Perhaps obviously, that would not be known when you book the interisland portion.
On the way, back, I agree completely - its a mistake to not allow two hours or more. Even with carry on for the return, an aggressive schedule would presume that you can print your boarding pass with no issues etc.. Perhaps obviously, that would not be known when you book the interisland portion.
We used to always fly Delta/Winair with no problem with baggage transfer. Have Delta check the bags all the way to SBH; keep the baggage claim tags as the Winair agent will need to see them when you check in at the transfer desk in St. Maarten. Never had a problem, and as long as the bags show an end destination of SBH they'll get there eventually, even if stalled along the way.
casey
casey
BillandCathy
SBH Insider
It is easy, and works well, IF you know what to expect. Here's what we do, and what you may expect based on a repeat of my past experiences. There’s probably much more information here than you were asking for, but I figure more is better than less.
We fly PHX to CLT or ATL (airline depending) to SXM and on to SBH. We always check our luggage all the way through. Upon arriving at SXM, you exit the jet to the tarmac often through both the front and rear of the plane, enter the terminal, but you do not clear immigration; instead, you will pass a single lane security area on your right, along with "ticket booths" for three or four airlines, WinAir being one. It's not unusual for these to be poorly or non-staffed. Stand there for a while (will seem like an eternity, but remember, you are now on Island Time). If no one comes to your aid, try the security guards at the checkpoint to your right, ask if they could assist you with summoning a WinAir representative. Usually you will get a "WinAir will be right back", and they are, eventually, correct. Once you get WinAir service, proceed through the security check point, and as you walk forward to the apparent gate area ahead of you, look for the stairs on your left to the upper level, take them, and continue walking in the direction you are now traveling (being after you did the 180 turn around to head up the stairs) and walk (or run as the case may be depending on how much time you wasted waiting for the WinAir agent) to the far end of the terminal where WinAir is located. Check in with the agent, ask if there's room on any earlier flights if there's considerable time until your departure. Once it is time to board, expect to pass through the glass doors, descend about half way down the stairs, and sit or stand on the stairs until they open the door to the street level bus shuttle you to the WinAir flight. Try not to think about how you would be trapped if there was an emergency; panic attacks are a bad way to start your trip. Proceed to your plane, sit directly behind the pilot for best some good sights. If there's no copilot, ask if you can ride shotgun. I did so one year and he turned over the controls once airborne. Little did he know 30 seconds is my best time in Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you are unfamiliar with the SBH landing, research it so you are not surprised, or wear Depends, the choice is yours. You used a key phrase in your question… “not getting the bag”… and we’ve only had this experience once, and after three days of checking for luggage at the oh-so-small airport, the ticket attendant said “nope, not here today either, but what does it look like?” To which I responded “black with red rope on the handle”. He looked surprised and returned with the bag and explained it had been there three days and was wondering if someone would claim it and asked, “why didn’t I tell him”. Duh!!! Anyway, one doesn’t need many clothes in SBH so it really wasn’t a big issue after all. We always carry on long pants, shorts, swim suit and flip flops – the bare essentials to survive lost luggage.
Since I'm writing what has turned into the novel of my travels, I might as well give you the return details. We always leave SBH early, checking luggage all the way home. We arrive SXM, check in with our airline for boarding passes, and grab a cab to the Sunset Beach Bar (where topless women drink free) at the end of the runway. We hang out there until 1.5 hours before our flight. Just ask staff for a cab, they are always nearby. Each trip is about 10 bucks and they often don't seem to care if you pay Euro or US dollars, so pay to your exchange rate advantage, of course. CLT always seems to be an immigration nightmare for us, and we often miss our PHX connection. ATL, a possible connection for you since you’re flying Delta, seems to handle it better, but you have to reclaim your luggage and check it through, a very expedient process. We always keep the day after our return wide open to be able to handle any missed flights, plus heck, why am I in hurry get home anyway
. Hope this helps.
We fly PHX to CLT or ATL (airline depending) to SXM and on to SBH. We always check our luggage all the way through. Upon arriving at SXM, you exit the jet to the tarmac often through both the front and rear of the plane, enter the terminal, but you do not clear immigration; instead, you will pass a single lane security area on your right, along with "ticket booths" for three or four airlines, WinAir being one. It's not unusual for these to be poorly or non-staffed. Stand there for a while (will seem like an eternity, but remember, you are now on Island Time). If no one comes to your aid, try the security guards at the checkpoint to your right, ask if they could assist you with summoning a WinAir representative. Usually you will get a "WinAir will be right back", and they are, eventually, correct. Once you get WinAir service, proceed through the security check point, and as you walk forward to the apparent gate area ahead of you, look for the stairs on your left to the upper level, take them, and continue walking in the direction you are now traveling (being after you did the 180 turn around to head up the stairs) and walk (or run as the case may be depending on how much time you wasted waiting for the WinAir agent) to the far end of the terminal where WinAir is located. Check in with the agent, ask if there's room on any earlier flights if there's considerable time until your departure. Once it is time to board, expect to pass through the glass doors, descend about half way down the stairs, and sit or stand on the stairs until they open the door to the street level bus shuttle you to the WinAir flight. Try not to think about how you would be trapped if there was an emergency; panic attacks are a bad way to start your trip. Proceed to your plane, sit directly behind the pilot for best some good sights. If there's no copilot, ask if you can ride shotgun. I did so one year and he turned over the controls once airborne. Little did he know 30 seconds is my best time in Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you are unfamiliar with the SBH landing, research it so you are not surprised, or wear Depends, the choice is yours. You used a key phrase in your question… “not getting the bag”… and we’ve only had this experience once, and after three days of checking for luggage at the oh-so-small airport, the ticket attendant said “nope, not here today either, but what does it look like?” To which I responded “black with red rope on the handle”. He looked surprised and returned with the bag and explained it had been there three days and was wondering if someone would claim it and asked, “why didn’t I tell him”. Duh!!! Anyway, one doesn’t need many clothes in SBH so it really wasn’t a big issue after all. We always carry on long pants, shorts, swim suit and flip flops – the bare essentials to survive lost luggage.
Since I'm writing what has turned into the novel of my travels, I might as well give you the return details. We always leave SBH early, checking luggage all the way home. We arrive SXM, check in with our airline for boarding passes, and grab a cab to the Sunset Beach Bar (where topless women drink free) at the end of the runway. We hang out there until 1.5 hours before our flight. Just ask staff for a cab, they are always nearby. Each trip is about 10 bucks and they often don't seem to care if you pay Euro or US dollars, so pay to your exchange rate advantage, of course. CLT always seems to be an immigration nightmare for us, and we often miss our PHX connection. ATL, a possible connection for you since you’re flying Delta, seems to handle it better, but you have to reclaim your luggage and check it through, a very expedient process. We always keep the day after our return wide open to be able to handle any missed flights, plus heck, why am I in hurry get home anyway
. Hope this helps.
ChasBidd
Senior Insider
Travel tip:
You may already do this but: We, as a family of 4 with teens, check luggage to SBH. Usually there are many household items to be brought. Can not do carry on. SO: We mix our bags with clothing. Some for Kate, some for Charley, some for me and some for Adria. This way if and when (it happens all the time) one or two bags do not make the trip from SXM to SBH with us on the same flight, we all have something to wear for at least a day or two.
We also prepare our carry ons with undies, meds, swim suits, cameras, computers etc.
Bags arrive in hours or just a day.
You may already do this but: We, as a family of 4 with teens, check luggage to SBH. Usually there are many household items to be brought. Can not do carry on. SO: We mix our bags with clothing. Some for Kate, some for Charley, some for me and some for Adria. This way if and when (it happens all the time) one or two bags do not make the trip from SXM to SBH with us on the same flight, we all have something to wear for at least a day or two.
We also prepare our carry ons with undies, meds, swim suits, cameras, computers etc.
Bags arrive in hours or just a day.
Bill, of Billand Cathy - Helpful info; and I am wondering with only carry ons do we not have to clear customs? Just go through the mentioned security lane? Can you tell me what the procedure is? Bag scan, etc?
Then on to the booth (WinAir or other commuter & hope they have our res and take-off -havent made res. yet) but I would like to be prepared as to what to expect upon arrival in SXM and wondered if we had to go through customs and immigration there-- Or this occurs in SBH?On return from SBH are we considered in transit back to states?
Can't afford the Tradewinds from SJU, but sure sounds so much easier! Oh well, that is life and this forum provides much needed info for sure; I like to know in advance what I might expect at SXM...
Thanks so much!
Then on to the booth (WinAir or other commuter & hope they have our res and take-off
-havent made res. yet) but I would like to be prepared as to what to expect upon arrival in SXM and wondered if we had to go through customs and immigration there-- Or this occurs in SBH?On return from SBH are we considered in transit back to states?Can't afford the Tradewinds from SJU, but sure sounds so much easier! Oh well, that is life and this forum provides much needed info for sure; I like to know in advance what I might expect at SXM...
Thanks so much!
tim
Moderator
Grace,
The "Ticket Booths" to which Bill referred in his excellent post are called "Transfer Information" at the SXM airport. If you're doing all carry-on, stop there to get your boarding pass(for the tickets you've already purchased) from either Winair or St. Barth Commuter, whichever you're flying to St. Barth. Then go through the Security Checkpoint Bill mentioned. Take the elevator or the stairs to the top level and go to the other end of the terminal to the C gates from which the little airlines fly to St. Barth.
As for choosing between Winair and St. Barth Commuter, SBC is a little cheaper and frequently offers great customer service. Winair has many times more flights and can often put you on an earlier flight to St. Barth than the one for which you're scheduled. Allow at least one hour connection time in SXM going to St. Barth and at least two hours coming home.
The "Ticket Booths" to which Bill referred in his excellent post are called "Transfer Information" at the SXM airport. If you're doing all carry-on, stop there to get your boarding pass(for the tickets you've already purchased) from either Winair or St. Barth Commuter, whichever you're flying to St. Barth. Then go through the Security Checkpoint Bill mentioned. Take the elevator or the stairs to the top level and go to the other end of the terminal to the C gates from which the little airlines fly to St. Barth.
As for choosing between Winair and St. Barth Commuter, SBC is a little cheaper and frequently offers great customer service. Winair has many times more flights and can often put you on an earlier flight to St. Barth than the one for which you're scheduled. Allow at least one hour connection time in SXM going to St. Barth and at least two hours coming home.
Thanks Tim! Now to work on reservations...after reading about the possibilities of delays with checked baggage, I am (finally) relieved we have learned to live out of SMALL carry-on duffles..(20 in!) Roll it up, squeeze it in and go....buy liquids upon arrival! EASY.
Appreciate the helpful info;
Gracie
Appreciate the helpful info;
Gracie
BillandCathy
SBH Insider
Not sure of your final destination, but check your bags all the way to your final destination, not to ATL. It's just that the procedure in ATL is you must, after clearing immigration, claim your bags off one belt, then hand them to the service person at another belt. This isn't all bad as it gives opportunity to stuff the shorts and other light weight clothes we were wearing in SBH and now in our knapsack into the luggage to lighten the load.
