I'm coordinating a meeting in SJU in January. I've got some attendees who are trying to get out at the end of the day after we finish meeting. They are all travelling back to the US mainland (so no customs). I'd like to get a sense of how long I should advise them to allow from the time they get to the airport until they are at the gate. I've heard 2 hours from a local, (and I know that's pretty typical instructions from the airlines), but I've NEVER taken 2 hours to get from the curb to the gate anywhere. And yeah, I am a fairly experienced traveller and I do get access to the elite checkin lines, but for a typical non-elite, how long really, does one need from the curb to gate? At least one of the people will be checking bags. Thanks in advance...

this is really a crap shoot depending on time of day, day of week, etc,

Saturdays are usually awful- because of all the cruise ship passengers going home- and the extra "saturday only" sections

but it can also be airline dependent- i've seen mobs at AA and CO, nothing at others.

An interesting point- all the concourses are interconnected, airside

so if you see a huge security line at "B" walk over to "C"- it may be no line- and then just walk back airside

i still give it two hours- and once spent an hour in a security line- but if you have no bags to check- or can get boarding passes online or at a kiosk- i'd still allow 90 minutes

this is really a crap shoot depending on time of day, day of week, etc,

Saturdays are usually awful- because of all the cruise ship passengers going home- and the extra "saturday only" sections

but it can also be airline dependent- i've seen mobs at AA and CO, nothing at others.

An interesting point- all the concourses are interconnected, airside

so if you see a huge security line at "B" walk over to "C"- it may be no line- and then just walk back airside

i still give it two hours- and once spent an hour in a security line- but if you have no bags to check- or can get boarding passes online or at a kiosk- i'd still allow 90 minutes

My attendees will be trying to fly out on a Tuesday evening. Any more specific guidance, given that info?

Totally agree with edgewood, however since you pointed out that they leave on Tuesday evening I would suggest being at the check in counter 1 hour prior to departure, but again I must stress it is still a huge gamble, too many things can go wrong and worse thing is that they usually do.

one hour prior to departure?

you must really love that adrenaline high!

are we factoring in "gate closing times" of 10,20, or even 30 minutes before scheduled departure?

given that, tuesday evening should be quieter....but you never know....

and i can't even recommend a place for a decent pre-boarding snack if you do get to the gate early

do let us know what happens!

They are all travelling back to the US mainland (so no customs).

no customs but there is an agriculture screening which can take some time if they are backed up.

I allow an hour curbside if I have no bags to check.

I flew out ont he SUnday after Xgiving this year, and walked up to the check in line and walked RIGHT THROUGH security. In all fairness though, there was some sort of conga-line type thing going on, with people watching, and we knew to go for it while it was empty.

so yea, its a crap shoot, but I cant immagine needing 2 hours there

It all seems so variable to me at SJU. I've had times where the Agriculture check was 15 minutes, and other times less than 1 minute. The same with security. I have Elite access and sometimes it is straight through and sometimes 20 minutes or more.

I returned from SJU a couple of weeks ago, and from rental car return to gate was about 30 minutes (and it would habe been quicker had I not just missed the rental car shuttle and had to wait for the next one), but I've had it take over an hour.

As someone else posted, things go at a slower pace in Puerto Rico.

Glenn

i flew today jfk/sju on DL929 arriving 2pm

i had a connection to the 2:45 Vieques Air Link flite, which necessitates going out past security because VAL does not have an airside counter

(you an avoid the hassle by taking cape air which allows you to check in at the gate)

after taxiing, and walking from the farthest B gate, i got to the VAL counter at 2:30. Fortunately, he was still checking in other people for the same flite so i got on

but- now i had to pass back through security- the line wrapped around itself twice, and snaked back out the door- easily was 60 minutes, maybe more. I noticed it was all "cruise passengers"

i was taken by VAL to the head of the security line and it was still 20 minutes more until i was through! (the far right has the "puffer" machine which i thought was faster- but you still have to take your shoes off after it!)

anyway- it could easily have been a 90-120 minute ordeal given the cruise hordes- so try to avoid saturday and sunday afternoon!

i was taken by VAL to the head of the security line and it was still 20 minutes more until i was through! (the far right has the "puffer" machine which i thought was faster- but you still have to take your shoes off after it!)The last time I went through SJU (end Nov), the ID checker advised me to avoid the puffer line. It was a shorter line, but moves much slower.
--
13F

Sat and Sun are the longest/slowest days and breakfast hour is the worst time. On the off times and off days arriving 1 hour before the flight is the minimum time. Personally I arrive at the airport 2 hours before flight time, do the check-in and security drill and have a nice relaxing and enjoyable beer prior to boarding.

MisterNice

glutton for punishment that i am, i again was at SJU on sunday afternoon 1/21 for a DL flite to JFK at 2:46 pm

i arrived at 1:15 and checked in immediately (first class, no line)

i then walked to security and found the line, as i feared, backed out to the entry doors. at 2:00 (forty minutes on line and still halfway from security) an agent came looking for people on the flight and brought us up to the front left where there was another entryway with only six or eight people waiting

i was at the gate by 2:20 to find the plane already boarding

so i reiterate, leave lots of time for peak traffic at SJU!!

btw- Delta serves no food in first class on a four hour flight- just the same snack basket as in economy. their site says they will serve a meal if the distance is over 1550 miles- OAG says its 1611- but nada!

Searched for SJU airport information and found this thread. I was specifically looking to find out how the security checkpoints are set up at this airport. From what I read here, sounds like when my daughter arrives in one terminal/concourse, she'll be able to walk over to another terminal/concourse to wait for her friends' flight without any security concerns. Is this still correct?

Which actually brings me to another question/concern -- she won't get her baggage until the other flight comes in. Will be a minimum of 1-1/2 hours before her flight lands and the other one does. What will happen to her luggage, is this going to be a problem?

Thanks for your help.

Yes, all of SJU is connected airside. It is a long walk from AA world to the other carriers' gates, or vice versa, but you don't have to reclear security. For refreshments, the non-AA gates have the better value concessions.

The good news about the luggage is that other passengers will not be able to leave with it, since luggage is checked against claim stickers as passengers leave the terminal. At AA, it would be probably be pulled off the carrousel and left at their Baggage Services station. Can't say what other carriers would do, but presumably something similar. There are many reports of theft from luggage in SJU. Transiting there 4-6 times each year I have only ever lost luggage tags, which have inexplicably been removed on two occasions.

I can't overemphasize the cruise ship comment enough. Imagine 6,000 people all moving as slow as dirt with enough luggage to live for two months (slight exaggeration) trying to check in 6 or more hours before their actual flights depart. Of course, I did this right in the middle of the US reservation system meltdown when they were checking people in via telephone because the computers were kaput. What a nutroll.

Yes, all of SJU is connected airside. It is a long walk from AA world to the other carriers' gates, or vice versa, but you don't have to reclear security. For refreshments, the non-AA gates have the better value concessions.

The good news about the luggage is that other passengers will not be able to leave with it, since luggage is checked against claim stickers as passengers leave the terminal. At AA, it would be probably be pulled off the carrousel and left at their Baggage Services station. Can't say what other carriers would do, but presumably something similar. There are many reports of theft from luggage in SJU. Transiting there 4-6 times each year I have only ever lost luggage tags, which have inexplicably been removed on two occasions.


Thanks so much for that information! This is a silly question no doubt, but all airlines share the same baggage area? And, would it make any sense to let her airline know in advance that it will be a while before she gets the baggage?

Years ago friends of mine had things stolen out of their luggage there. I went ahead and bought the TSA approved locks, just due to her luggage sitting a while... not sure it will help deter anything else... but glad to read about your 'just tags' experience, guess I should suggest she pack a couple extra!

[QUOTE=SharonLPK;8146438]Thanks so much for that information! This is a silly question no doubt, but all airlines share the same baggage area? And, would it make any sense to let her airline know in advance that it will be a while before she gets the baggage?

AA has one baggage area, while all the other airlines share the second one. They are not connected, and the exits are at either ends of the airport. So if she waits for her friend, make sure she doesn't walk downstairs outside of the AA gates, as they are sterile areas.

As for the bags, they usually just set them off to one side under supervision.

Good Luck.

Well, that makes me a bit nervous... but I'm glad for the information!

How would you suggest she do this then? Wait for her friends at the AA gate, then while they go to their baggage claim, she walks back to Terminal B's baggage area, and have the friends get the taxi at their exit and pick her up at her exit?

Thanks for more help, if I was there too it wouldn't matter, we'd just figure everything out at the time :)

Well, that makes me a bit nervous... but I'm glad for the information!

How would you suggest she do this then? Wait for her friends at the AA gate, then while they go to their baggage claim, she walks back to Terminal B's baggage area, and have the friends get the taxi at their exit and pick her up at her exit?

Thanks for more help, if I was there too it wouldn't matter, we'd just figure everything out at the time :)
I predict a lack of enthusiasm from the taxi personnel for this plan. ;)
Better to have your whole party together, and then get a cab.

I predict a lack of enthusiasm from the taxi personnel for this plan. ;)
Better to have your whole party together, and then get a cab.

I understand... I'm just not sure how to most easily make that happen, don't think there is any central area for them to meet after getting all their luggage? I had originally thought she could get her luggage, rent a cart [ha, she would most definitely need the cart], and then meet them at their gate -- and then remembered security issues. She is the last-minute add-on to the group, and we had to make the NW reservation at half the price of American!

I understand... I'm just not sure how to most easily make that happen, don't think there is any central area for them to meet after getting all their luggage? I had originally thought she could get her luggage, rent a cart [ha, she would most definitely need the cart], and then meet them at their gate -- and then remembered security issues. She is the last-minute add-on to the group, and we had to make the NW reservation at half the price of American!
Well, all of the unmistakable no-mistake-about-it meeting places are back upstairs in the checkin area. There are fast food places and a few chairs in the area before security, making it a more comfortable place to wait than hanging out with the taxi dispatchers. So everyone could collect their luggage and proceed upstairs (follow the signs or get directions to the Best Western, which is inside the airport at the entrance to AA checkin). Everyone would have to get back downstairs again to get a cab (people staying at the hotel do this all of the time, so it's no big deal). Not the simplest solution, and someone else might have a better idea, but it's straightforward in having completely definable landmarks (such as the Best Western or airport check-in desks) rather than features that repeat themselves in the labyrinth downstairs.

That sounds like a good plan, I really appreciate your suggestion(s)!!

Do you know if there are alot of baggage carts for rent, and can they be used in the scenario you have suggested?

That sounds like a good plan, I really appreciate your suggestion(s)!!

Do you know if there are alot of baggage carts for rent, and can they be used in the scenario you have suggested?
I know that SJU has baggage carts inside the customs/immigration hall but I don't remember ever seeing them by the carrousels where luggage from stateside comes out. They may or may not be there--hope someone else can help us with this--I've just never needed them, or noticed them. There are elevators (and a luggage escalator) between the different levels, so it really shouldn't be too difficult.