Just returned from a trip to Bonaire, and flew, Cleveland to Miami to Aruba and then Bonaire. The Flight down went without a single problem. The flight back was a different situation.

American booked us on the afternoon flight (2:00) and it arrived in Aruba at 2:40 for the 4:05 Miami flight.
This is just not enough time as there is no intransit terminal and you have to clear both Aruba and U.S. Immigration and Customs in Aruba. We did make the 5:20 flight to NY with a connection to Cleveland so all is well that ends well, but suggest anyone going this route watch these connection times... the people that had no options had to stay over in Aruba and catch the morning flight to Miami. Taking the morning flight to Aruba will avoid this problem.

Also at Aruba, they want all CAMERA'S and cell phones, in the checked luggage. (those that didn't do this had to wait at the exam station for an AA employee who carried these items to the plane and gave them back on board - see if you can figure out what that is all about).

This route is still 150% better than ALM.. we actually arrived and left on time with all of our luggage.

Alan, you have my attention.

Can you give me a few more details that might expedite my return via A/A Bon-Aru-Mia ??

Did you have to transfer your bags as when traveling ALM from Bon to Cur and then transfering to A/A for the Cur-Mia leg.

Assuming the flight was on time (okay so it is the islands) you had 1 hour and 25 minutes to make the transfer from the island hopper to A/A's Cur to Mia flight. What caused the greatest delay?? Any additional insight will be greatly appreciated

The having all camera and cell phones in checked bags is a super hint, thanks.

Don't go through Aruba to get to Bonaire. I just came back and it takes forever to get through Aruba customs to get off the island.
Divi Divi Air is a small charter company that flys 6-8 times a day from Cur to Bon. They fly a Cessna 402. You just walk up and buy a ticket. 158.00 NA Guilders/ $90.00 US round trip. If you miss one flight, they will be back soon. Phone is 599-717-3774 and they will meet you.

This would good advise if, and it's a big if, I do not already have tickets and if I were not leaving in a matter of days.

I need to make sure I can through the airport in Aruba in time to make my 4:05 flight to MIA

There is NO WAY I will ever check my camera equipment into my check-in luggage! They are my bloodline. Too risky for damage and/or theft in checked baggage. I would have to find an alternate route to Bonaire if Aruba were one of the connections. I certainly hope all of the airlines are not adopting this policy. If I have to arrive at the airport even earlier for them to examine and inpsect my photo equipment, then so it will be....interesting to hear about this new policy, however. Thanks for letting us know. Carole

Has anyone asked the question why Aruba officials are asking to put cameras etc in the checked in luggage-- could it be as simple that they do not want the passengers to have batteries on them? And what is AA saying-- are they going to be responsible for replacement of thousand of dollars of equiptment----I don't think so!!!!!

The 1 1/2 hrs is just not enough time, unless they re:open the intransit terminal which is not likely.
First you have to clear Aruba imigration and get your bags, and then clear Aruba customs. (this could take awhile as the Bonaire flight gets in about the same time as the U.S. 757's from Miami and NY.)
Then you haul your bags to AA check in counter and check them to your final destination.(this can really take a lot of time).
Next you Clear U.S. Imigartion, get your bags again, and clear U.S. Customs.
Finally you have to go thru the checked luggage RE:Check (if you are one of the unlucky ones)and then the terminal xray and security inspection.
This is where they catch you with camera's, cell phones, etc.
We also had one person that refused to check their camera, and it was taken at the security check and given back when he boarded the plane - so if you can explain that one I would like to hear the reason behind it...same thing I asked the head of security and all they said it was a FAA requirement. So if you don't want to check your camera, take it along but expect them to take it at security and give it back when you board the flight.

We got in on time, and it took us 2 hours and 10 minutes to do the above... American counter said sometimes it takes over 3 hours.

By the way the camera thing is not an airline THING, it is airport security and they are sticking to this even though they know it makes little sense.

The bottom line is the 2:00 PM flight will not connect to the Miami 4:05. If American does not have a morning flight (however, I think they do)then find another way or plan on a stay in Aruba.

Jan, A/A has no responsiblity for Aruba Customs policy. I see it as very simple, do as they want or suffer long delays. I will pack my camera and cell phone in my luggage, stand in line and hope I can make my connnecting flight.

Alan, still hoping you read my message and let me know if I have to re-check my luggage in Aruba or will A/A transfer.

I hope there was AC in there..I am sweating listening to this..

I have to say, the AA flight from BON to SJU makes me ill..too long on such a small plane..ughh..I have traveled all over the Eastern Caribbean on LIAT and Mustique Air but for some reason the AA Eagle from SJU makes me ill..dunno..anyway, it's a means to an amazing end.

Hey Jake, you and the family coming near Cape Cod?? Come on down for dinner and..

Annie
Cape Cod

Annie - nope. Won't be any closer to the Cape than Logan airport this evening and again in just under three weeks. We'll see you on Bonaire, however, right? :-)

As far as the procedures of going via Aruba from Bonaire, I've dropped a note to a few local tourism folks - seems real inconvenient, especially if you're basically flying the same airline...

Jake

Yup, you will see me..I arrive God Willing, Dec. 22 and will be at Lac Bay that very afternoon..LOL..I leave Dec. 30th so hopefully we can do drinks some night..Will be at Lighthouse and have a cell so folks can call me..I will give you the # later..

Off to sail Nantucket Sound..brrrr

Annie
Cape Cod

FYI-- Just found this

If you check out www.aruba.com and click on airport security-- there is a list of items not allowed on carry-ons. It also says that cameras and video cameras will be returned ( batteries must be taken out)

Thanks Jan.. now that is good information..

I just flew from Bon to SJU on AA's ATR 72. It took two hours and was a good flight. I will not go through Aruba again! That list is only from Aruba and not the FAA or AA. US Customs in SJU is easy to check through. I was stopped and searched and xrayed, but it went quickly. Lot less time than in MIA. Fewer people.
Going back in a few weeks through CUR.

Kelly:
I saw your message, and if you saw my recap you will see that YES you have to recheck your luggage and go thru a WHOLE BUNCH of customs and immigration and security checks.
I looked at the AA webpage and they only show two flights 2:00PM and 5:ish PM- they had planned on three so maybe they will re:instate the morning one and you can make it.... if not, let them keep it ticketed that way and spend the night in Aruba on American Airlines (unless you can't go via some other gateway).
While in Aruba see if you can find some Pirate Beer and enjoy... it use to be made in Aruba and sold there and Curacao... realy STRONG stuff.

Will be back in January and still not sure which route I will take... probably AA via Aruba (at least it was on time and my luggage made it).

Alan, thanks for the response. From your comments I had a feeling you had to recheck luggage in Aruba.. Damn I was hoping flying A/A would avoid that. Like you I am booked on the Bon to Aru 2PM flight, I will have to send my dive buddy ahead of me to get a place in line and then run the bags (all 200 lbs worth) between terminals. Cannot afford the time to spend the nite in Aruba, even if A/A is paying. Tanks again.

Does AA pay for an overnight stay in Aruba if their flights are on time and the missed connection is due to time taken by the airport procedures??? Maybe if AA accepts the reservation with the specified time between flights and knowing the procedures. Interesting.

Also interesting is the wording above that doesn't make it clear if batteries were removed from the camera(s) returned at the a/c. If not, what about the concern over batteries??? If yes, why insist on checking batteryless cameras if the batteries are the problem??!!?? Presumably free-floating batteries are not passed through with carryons.

If batteries are removed, I gather they must go in checked luggage. Sounds like staying with SJU back north. I gather there was no such nonsense on the way down--just Aruba I & C and a long walk down the terminal?

The list of items not to take in hand lugage also includes portables. THAT IS CRAZY!! I will never put a portable in checked lugage. The chances of a portable surviving the trip are slim to none. Just look at the state of your suitcase after a flight. They are scratched all over. I hope those rules are only temporarily.

Batteries in or out of the camera means nothing. The camera (laptops,cellphones,etc) will be taken at the security check and given back when you board the flight. (I agree that checking cameras in the luggage is risky).
Lighters are confiscated and not returned.
Going down to Bonaire is not a problem (other than having to clear there and again in Bonaire - I thought they were both part of the NA)
I have contacted AA and suggested they change the 2:00 pm to 12:30 pm or earlier (the plane and crew are in Bonaire from the night before anyway)
Don't know if they will look at this but I will be back in Bonaire in January and would prefer the connection to Cleveland in Miami rather than the snowy connection in JFK.

Peter,

I agree. I get my most productive work done on my computer when on a plane. Sadly, this item alone would be reason enough for me to continue flying the slower, smaller planes up to San Juan from Bonaire. So much for using Aruba as a gateway for me...

Alan - the list on the Aruba.com site indicates that laptops will not be permitted at all as carry ons, not that they will be returned once on board the plane (and I'm not sure I'd let anyone else even handle my notebook computer - my livelihood depends on it working properly at all times). Is your experience with this in Aruba different?

Also, Aruba is its own country, but under the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As such, their immigration/customs is separate from Bonaire & Curacao's. Aruba left the Netherlands Antilles for "status aparte" in 1985.

See http://www.aruba.com/news/frontpag/news22.htm for the list of items Aruba has restricted from carry-ons.

Jake

Jake
I saw them deliver camera's, cellphones, and laptops at the boarding gate... this does not mean they can't change it to zero tolerance, but frankly I still don't think they are reading the FAA rules correctly (and they don't want to get into trouble by not doing it right).
So, maybe those traveling via Aruba can keep us all posted on any changes in airport security, and if they are still allowing the delivery of these items..camera's, cell phones and laptops to the boarding gate, which is better than packing them into the checked luggage.
For me, this route works very well southbound, and I will live with the longer connection via JFK norhtbound, unless we can convince American to have the 2:00 pm Bonaire flight leave earlier to make the Miami connection.
This route still beats the SJ route and ALM/DCE's uncertain future.

BIG NEWS>>on BON-ARU and ARU-BON. According to Carmen at Maduro travel, on Bonaire, American has pulled their equipment and cancelled all daily flights to and from Aruba and Bonaire on Mon.,Tu.,Wed., Sat. for DECEMBER AND JANUARY. They still offer service on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Another complication!

I might imagine AA has pulled part of their fleet (Airbus 300's, etc) for inspections, thus fewer craft to fly around the world. If that were to be the case, they most likely would keep their craft available for their most lucrative markets. This is PURELY speculation on my part, however....I have absolutely NO direct contact or information coming my way. What a shame. Carole

I just heard a piece on the news that AA has canceled an order for "new" craft...in an effort to save money. Carole

Actually these flights were cancelled more than a week ago as we were notified by our travel agent that we needed to change our tickets for next week. This was BEFORE the Monday airline crash. If you are planning to travel in the near future I would make sure that you build in some flexibilty in your schedule.

I had guests arriving yesterday with KLM on Aruba and than using AE for the flight to Bonaire (couldn't get a seat on the direct flight to Bonaire the next day). The KLM was late arriving - these travelers too had to pick up there luggage (1 bag missing)- check in again (with the paper work for the missing bag), go to the security control - and because of all that, they would have missed the AE flight - but AE was waiting. So quite a number of US tourists arrived on Bonaire 1.40 minutes late..... sorry ...but the Europeans were happy

We just returned from Bonaire via Aruba on Sat. At Bonaire the AA counter could not tag luggage because their printer wasn't working. They said we had to claim luggage and go to the ticket counter and recheck there for leg to miami then to Cleveland. Didn't sound too bad because we had 1 and half hour, only to find a long line at the counter.When finally getting to the counter the agent said we would miss our flight as it had been closed out a half an hour ago. He ticketed us anyway and said good luck. Had to claim luggage again and go through US Customs and Immg. Not prepared for that at all. When going through x-ray ,they noticed my camera and told me I had to go back and have another agent check it. I tried to get a receipt but to no avail. They told me they would give it back to me on the plane, and I explained that I was probably going to miss the flight anyway so where would my camera be? Went back to x-ray and they noticed batteries in my carryon. I removed them and told them to keep them. Agent with my camera was coming through at that time and said she would take my batteries for me. After a mad rush to gate, gateworkers asked if we were Mr &Mrs Palm? They were holding the plane for us. Arrived in Miami early and not having to go through Customs there was great. All in all a little unnerving but it worked. Just a little too rushed for my liking. Upon arrival in Cleveland my wife was talking to a fellow who never got his video camera back and when he questioned AA, they said it was not their responsibilty. I just wish there were Standard procedures at all airports. I traveled Cleveland-Miami-SanJuan-Bonaire and back to Aruba with the cameras in my bag with no problem. At least this Board makes the travelers aware of some of the pitfuls. I was wondering if luggage was tagged on Bonaire to final destination and you didn't have to go to the counter on Aruba to recheck it, then the time allocation would work.

Bonaire's AA counter sure does seem to have lots of printer problems -- the day we flew out, they couldn't print boarding passes. For the AE flight to San Juan, they hand-printed passes, and they told us we'd have to pick up passes for our connecting flight when we got to SJU.

Given a choice of having the boarding pass printer or the luggage tag printer broken, I'll take the broken boarding pass one any day -- luggage is a royal pain when heading toward the states, anyways.

Nice of them to hold your flight, at least...

Faith

I still have this vast wonderment about why batteries must be taken out of cameras, etc., if the batteries are returned to the passenger before boarding, and so can be put back in the same equipment??? Is Hato concerned about terrorism in their terminal?? How about batteries in checked baggage? Someone please unconfuse my simple mind!!