Visitors are always cautioned to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before their flight's scheduled departure time. Depending on time of year, day of week, time of day and a host of other reasons, the wait can be anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. Hopefully your vacation wasn't completely torn apart by departure issues and, if you have any suggestions on speeding up the process, I'd suppose you'd have to contact CBP or whoever on St Thomas. Sorry not to be of more help.

6packjack

Unfortunately that type of line is often incurred on a Saturday or Sunday. I have heard of people getting there 2 hours early and still missing there plane. It is not a fun thing to go through so I try to avoid departing on a weekend.

I departed on a Sunday earlier this month and didn't have any problems. Of all the places I've traveled, the worst problems I've ever had at airports have been here in the US (stateside). I think it's one of those things that's just hit or miss depending on a number of variables...

And while STT Resident is correct in that travelers (not just visitors, I'd think) are advised to get to the airport at least 2 hours in advance, that wouldn't have helped 6packjack since he waited in line for over two hours.

SisSara wrote:
And while STT Resident is correct in that travelers (not just visitors, I'd think) are advised to get to the airport at least 2 hours in advance, that wouldn't have helped 6packjack since he waited in line for over two hours.

But he didn't miss his flight.

And I do question beachboy who claims that he has "heard of" people that missed their plane even after getting there two hours in advance. I contribute to and read many travel forums and have never heard of this happening.

Well clearly he didn't miss his flight. That's not the point I was trying to make. I found STT's airport to be efficient and, like STT Resident said, have never heard of anything like what beachboy mentioned, but you never know--there are occasionally extenuating circumstances anywhere you go!

That's why I like STX. I I get to the airport 2 hr. before my flight on a Sun. afternoon the will only be one person/family ahead of us in the customs/TSA line. Everyone else gets there 1 hr. before flight time.

We left a week earlier on May 12 and had no problems. We got to the airport around 1 p.m. (for a 4 p.m. flight). We had the same good experience on our previous visit. It must be the luck of the draw. However, I'd rather cool my heels at the gate for an extra hour rather than be panicking outside. Our friends had a bad experience once and had to wait in line outside in the heat and sun.

Tom

I flew stateside yesterday (Thursday) on the 4:45 PM flight - waited 50 mins in line WITH a porter - those who did not use a porter waited almost 2 hrs The line for customs was to baggage claim !!!

Pia

Pia
We flew out on the 4:55 flight on Wednesday to CLT
From taxi to airport bar was 20 minutes
Not sure if we hit it right on or the jumbies scared everyone away

Two hours is SAFE planning
Me - I like 2 hours 30 minutes

TomB, I think CLT must be the magic part of this equation becaue that was my destination as well! 🙂