By margaret c wilson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 7:32 pm: |
WEll, we are back as of late last night here in boston and want to let you know you the Delta flight from Atlanta to Bonaire worked. We took it on Sat 2/9 and returned yesterday Sat 2/16.
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By April (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 10:28 pm: |
Marg, thank you for the Delta report on Atlanta to Bonaire. My husband and I are taking that flight on May 3. The short window between connections is a concern to me, especially after reading your experience with coming home.
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4667) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 6:13 am: |
Oh say it isn't so!!!!!! We will be doing the BWI, ATL, BON trip in May and now am a tad nervous. I do, however, expect a few burps in the early flights although yours seems to be quite a belch!
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By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #684) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 8:05 am: |
We decided to stay overnight both ways in Atlanta and (hopefully) avoid the above hassles. Immigration in Atlanta is, indeed, a ridiculous nightmare.
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By Nathalie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #250) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 8:38 am: |
For those spending the night in Atlanta, do you suggest a particular hotel? Thanks
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6106) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 9:53 am: |
Marg, thanks for the report we are on that route in March. We are staying in Hotlanta on the way down but catching the late flight to Boston on the way back. It would not be a big deal if we are delayed coming home.
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5036) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:24 am: |
Why can't the airline's forward the baggage to the final destination for immigration? I know with AJ, Montego Bay was not our final destination, and we had those green tags put on the bags so they were just transfered to the last leg of your trip...Seems much simpler. And then you could just go through immigration at your final destination?
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By Liz .... back to Bon 5/9 (woo hoo) (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:31 am: |
I don't think every airport in the states has a 24/7 manned immigration area, which could explain the reason your first US "hub" destination is where you clear customs, etc. Having been to some of the cozier airports (Bozeman, Jackson Hole, etc.), I'm not sure they even have an immigration area.
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4673) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:56 am: |
Meryl,
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By Kathy Lawson (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 2:20 pm: |
We used to think Miami customs was the absolute worst ... until we did Atlanta this past January. We flew the inaugural ATL-CUR flight on 12/22 and return on 1/5.
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By Judy Workman (BonaireTalker - Post #77) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 2:50 pm: |
Kobi, When we were flying ALM into Atlanta (Delta gates) the pilot told us to grab our stuff and get in line as fast as we could. There was an AJ flight landing at the same time and they'd be searching/scrutinizing everyone for that flight. As we stood in line, an agent walked down asking for Bonaire passengers and pulled us to the front. We were through in no time.
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3087) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 3:12 pm: |
The first point of entry in the US is where baggage is checked as well as passengers. In this case, Atlanta. Towards the end of Air Jamaica's MBJ Boston flight they had a few unscheduled stops, one being Atlanta. It was a flightmare getting thru customs and immigration after waiting an hour to get our bags.
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4679) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 4:32 pm: |
Judy, we might be with you....stuck in Atlanta! OYE.....let's hope NOT! I gotta be positive ut those old ALM days are coming back into my memory as I type...UGH!
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By Bob Smits (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #551) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 6:25 pm: |
Coming from The Netherlands we had the same devastating experience in Atlanta.
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4683) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 6:51 pm: |
Bob,
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By margaret c wilson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 9:30 pm: |
END OF STORY: INAUGURAL FLIGHT FUN!
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5038) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:25 pm: |
I wrote to Delta about this issue today. We have flown on alot of ALM flight's and this has prepared us for almost anything...but Air Jamaica was pretty smooth...as far as connections go...
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4691) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:39 pm: |
Sharon! You got some splaining to do!! LOL
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By April (BonaireTalker - Post #37) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:45 pm: |
Meryl, looks like an automatic response to me. I am following this thread with great interest and scared silly on how my husband and I will get through the confusion. This will only be my 2nd vacation involving an airplane, so we're not real experienced travelers.
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By Kobi in Virginia***Trip in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4693) on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:54 pm: |
April,
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By Bob Smits (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #552) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 3:21 am: |
Kobi, our luggage was not lost forever.
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By April (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 7:06 am: |
Thanks, Kobi. I'll be sure to report back on how things go. Fingers crossed that the bugs are worked out by then for both of us.
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By Richard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #148) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 7:41 am: |
Just arrived on Bonaire 2/16 via the Delta direct out of Atlanta . . . sweet. Have traveled AJ in the past and the direct flight with Delta was AWESOME. We even arrived on Bonaire about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. I know things are more difficult where connections are involved but I'm looking forward to many future flights using Delta direct out of Atlanta.
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By Yo MO (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3173) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 9:40 am: |
Wow - bashing my old hometown airport. I LOVE the Atlanta airport but I think that's from 18 years of flying through it. Of course I love my new little airport that I fly from now. There is no showing up two hours before the plane leaves - they'd think you were NUTS!!! Get there 45 minutes before and you will have no problems. You'll actually spend some "quality" time at gates 1-6 even with only 45 minutes before your flight.
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By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #318) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 3:41 pm: |
Since we live in SC Atlanta has been our airport for the past 13 years. It is the world's busiest airport and overall they do a pretty good job. However, the return hassle to have bags reinspected is not smooth or well organized. We were told that it will get better as they get the "kinks" out. I have no idea what that means.
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By jennifer Munn (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 1:39 pm: |
We were on the inaugural flight as well and my advice is to do as we have done---move to Atlanta--then you don't have to worry about the connecting flights. Just kidding--but it was so much better than our last trip to Bonaire which was Atlanta to Miami to San Juan to Bonaire--now that my friends was a fiasco!
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By Lydia S. Segal (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #272) on Saturday, February 23, 2008 - 6:31 pm: |
The Atlanta customs/baggage pick up must in part be related to time of day. My husband and I just came into Atlanta yesterday morning, Friday, around 8 am from Lima, Peru on Delta and there was NO line at customs, bags came within 15 min and the rest of the process including that silly re check hand luggage security took zip time. We even checked to see if we could make an earlier flight it went so well, but there were no seats on it.
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By Bob Smits (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #553) on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 3:16 am: |
Lydia, that must have been an awesome trip to Peru.
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By William Borek (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:19 am: |
I just returned from Bonaire on 2/23 via Delta and for anyone who is trying to connect that same evening--- be afraid, be very afraid!!!
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6254) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 1:39 am: |
The reason they have you clear security again after customs is because you have had an opportunity to remove things from your luggage which would be fine in luggage but not in a carry-on.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6124) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 1:36 pm: |
Well William you just described our upcoming trip. Down Friday night and back Saturday night. We'll see if we make our connection. I'm not particularly worried about it, just another night in Hotlanta.
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By April (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 6:31 pm: |
As long as they get us to Bonaire in a timely manner, I can be more patient about getting back a day late. I'm guessing going is much easier, since you don't have to deal with customs until you get to Bonaire?
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By margaret c wilson (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 9:06 pm: |
April, getting there was no problem at all.
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By April (BonaireTalker - Post #45) on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 11:11 pm: |
We only have 2 hours +/- to change over in Atlanta, both going and coming back home. Just doesn't seem like enough, especially for coming back home with all the customs and rechecks to deal with. I have a feeling we'll be spending the night in Atlanta on our way back home. ;)
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5080) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 11:01 am: |
How far is it to go from terminal "E" to terminal "A". I would imagine this will stay the same for all the flights going from Atlantia to Bonaire.
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5081) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 11:19 am: |
It seems like the problem is flying from any airport in America and connecting in Atlanta, then on to Bonaire (and back the same route.)
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5082) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 11:50 am: |
Well I spoke with Delta and flying from Phili to Atlanta (as Deltas records show now) The flight comes in at E3 and then we will transfer to E31 for the flight to Bonaire.
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By Rog & Karen...trip in July! (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #422) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:14 pm: |
Meryl...at ATL you will take the train from terminal A to E.
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5084) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:20 pm: |
They told me from Phili we will be flying into terminal E (hopefully not literally)E3
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By Rog & Karen...trip in July! (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #423) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:26 pm: |
just a quick stroll then...
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5085) on Friday, February 29, 2008 - 12:35 pm: |
Hopefully! With all the gear..I'm not sure it will be sooo quick...but better than William's trek!
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By margaret c wilson (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 1:14 pm: |
We walked a long part of the e terminal on our way down to Bonaire via Delta and there was no problem - we did a FAST walk though as we got some breakfast and Starbucks for the ride down. (Have no illusions about the sumputousness of the box meals i.e. snacks served on the flight).
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By Reza Gorji (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Sunday, March 2, 2008 - 12:11 am: |
Thanks for this informative post.
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5097) on Sunday, March 2, 2008 - 12:25 pm: |
Marg, If we fly into E terminal and fly out of E terminal...does the baggage come into E terminal?
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By Yo MO (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3234) on Monday, March 3, 2008 - 9:02 pm: |
the baggage will all go to the customs clearance area which is near terminal E. Terminal E is the "international" terminal. It shouldn't be bad at all....she says.
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By Lydia S. Segal (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #274) on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 8:02 pm: |
Meryl,
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