By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #406) on Sunday, January 23, 2011 - 4:57 pm: |
We flew Delta on 1/8 from ATL and had no problem, the flight was on time and arrived 15 minutes early. Getting through immigration was a snap and our luggage soon followed. Then the mess started. They decided to screen all bags entering Bonaire and only had one machine and 2 agents. As you can imagine it was chaotic. When they decided to hand search a lady's bag I thought people were going to explode. It took us over an hour to get through and there were folks behind us.
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By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #74) on Sunday, January 23, 2011 - 5:03 pm: |
Oh my gosh! Is this something new that is being done on a regular basis??
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1476) on Sunday, January 23, 2011 - 7:22 pm: |
Yes, they are screening every bag that comes in, even purses, etc., and there's only 1 machine. They do the same in CUR (at least there are 3 machines there), so you can see how this could really add time to a connection.
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By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Sunday, January 23, 2011 - 8:37 pm: |
So screening incoming bags is a new twist.......anyone have any idea what they are screening for?
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By Bonnie C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #129) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 8:59 am: |
Last Feb. they hand screened about 2/3 of the outgoing bags before the Bon to Atl flight. Why they let the last 1/3 go without screening was never explained. Perhaps they found whatever they were looking for? But why screen incoming bags? Do they think TSA in Atlanta might have missed something?
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By Bonnie C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #130) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 9:02 am: |
Thanks for the information about departure tax. I've been hoping someone would post a recent experience with the new procedure.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1477) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 11:07 am: |
There's been an x-ray machine for a long time already. It's use has been inconsistent in the past. Since we've become part of Holland, it's use is more regular. They screen for the same things all customs screen for: drugs, weapons, excessive amounts of cash, items for which the sales tax (like an import duty) might be eligible, etc.
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By Larry Gross (BonaireTalker - Post #62) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 12:40 pm: |
It does seem excessive, but to get out of the airport you have to take the train, which means you are back in the secured area along with everyone that is leaving Atlanta.
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By Bruce Schnaak (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 3:53 pm: |
Not only that Larry, But passengers have been in contact with their checked luggage during the Customs and Immigration process. So, re-screening becomes necessary.
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By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #76) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 4:52 pm: |
So maybe hubby should take carry ons and head for car rental while I wait for the bags and then take them through customs.
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By Tom Schamp (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #652) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 4:56 pm: |
Coming back to the US, they want all members of a party to stay together; I tried that once and was told no.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1479) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 8:58 pm: |
As far as I know, once you're past immigration here, you can split up & do exactly what Carol said (I sure would). Keep in mind you have to put all your bags on the x-ray's conveyor belt (easy, because it's low, just tip bags onto it), and take them off yourself at the top which is counter-height (not so easy). Can turn into an "I Love Lucy"/Lucy & Ethel working the chocolate factory scene, but with luggage; assuming they don't want to inspect your bags...
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By Vann Evans (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #134) on Monday, January 24, 2011 - 9:40 pm: |
Carol has a good idea-as soon as we clear immigration, I always head immediately for the car rental place while Laura goes for the luggage. I get the truck and go back to the airport and hopefully by then Laura will have gotten all of the luggage and gone through security.
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By KOB (LBR32) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #413) on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 8:27 am: |
Vann -- we do the same. Works every time.
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By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #409) on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 1:13 pm: |
For those arriving on a red-eye flight you may be lucky and miss the bag screening. I understand it does not open until 7:00AM. I guess that means suspicious bags only enter after 7:00AM. Pray your flight is on time.
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By marge karalis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #994) on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 3:45 pm: |
Great news for us early birds.
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By Lori Mulhisen (BonaireTalker - Post #100) on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 9:01 pm: |
We arrived in Bonaire via the Newark red-eye on January 9, 2011, at approximately 5:30 a.m. and I did not see anyone's bags being screened or x-rayed.
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By stuart slavin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #123) on Thursday, January 27, 2011 - 12:00 pm: |
George,, they have done that screening in the past..I also go to the car rental while the rest of my crew scrambles to get out...I will be back next year!!!
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