St Thomas airport bellman

[Carolyn]

We are at WSJ right now. Our friends leave on Saturday. I will report more after they leave. We have 1 more week here. Has anyone tipped a bellman recently at STT and bypassed the security line? This worked for us last year thanks to information from other TUGgers. Thanks!
Carolyn

 

[Carolyn]

Anyone know?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Anyone know?

Hi - I have done this in June. They do not bypass Security - did you really mean this? They do help bypass lines before Security (iirc) gave them $20 for 2 checkin bags.

 

[Carolyn]

Hi - I have done this in June. They do not bypass Security - did you really mean this? They do help bypass lines before Security (iirc) gave them $20 for 2 checkin bags.

We were taken to the front of the first line(customs?). After dropping off big suitcases, we were taken down a back hall where there was a very short TSA line. It was great!

 

[DavidnRobin]

I interpreted 'bypassing the security line' as bypassing the security line... not getting in a shorter security line.

As mentioned - we did this this in June, I do not recall getting in front of the Custom/Immigration line, but didn't have to wait thru long check-in line and baggage showed up on other side of Immigration/Customs to go thru security check. The line at Security has never been long on a Friday (our departure day) because the Immigration/Custom line effectively filters people coming through to Security.

 

[Ann-Marie]

We are renting in St. Thomas right now. The owners told us that $5 per piece of checked luggage will get you to the front of the line. Otherwise, expect a long line.

 

[bobpark56]

Sorta sounds like TSA Pre✓®

What does using a bellman get you that TSA Pre✓® doesn't...other than carrying your bags?

 

[Passepartout]

That's how Sky Caps make their money- by shuttling you and your bags to the head of lines, but they can't bypass security.

Jim

 

[alexadeparis]

What does using a bellman get you that TSA Pre✓® doesn't...other than carrying your bags?

The handshake and wink required to not have your bags inspected heavily if at all.

 

[DavidnRobin]

The handshake and wink required to not have your bags inspected heavily if at all.

This is not true, and poor advice (in case up you are serious).

 

[alexadeparis]

I can only speak from my single experience. Our bellman went to the front of the line, chatted with the agent (small talk), and the agent asked how long we were staying and where and said have a good time. That was literally it, Maybe my experience was unusual then. I didn't have any contraband or anything like that, but there were 8 of us in our party and the advice on these boards was to use a bellman if possible for a large group to avoid delays. Has your experience differed?

 

[DavidnRobin]

The skyhop went to the security people scanning bags by walking thru the security line? I think you are confusing checkin line and security line. The checkin bags are put thru before the security line, with the carryon bags that go thru scanner later - the security people are not accessible to skycaps unless the skycap actually walked thru security line to the other side of the scanner. (This is at very end after checkin bags are put thru.

If you are talking about the airline checkin line, and talking to airline employees that check you in - yes, that can happen... but that is before Customs/Immigration and Security. I have used Sky Caps about 3-4 times at STT.

 

[alexadeparis]

Sorry. I misunderstood that they were trying to do that while departing.