My wife and I land in Curacao at 2:42 (in March). If one of us abandoned our bags, could he/she make it through customs to make the 3:30 Divi-Divi flight? Otherwise we'll be on the 5:00 flight. We could do all carry-on luggage, so there would be no ownership problem. We can't get into the "in transit" lounge because we can't get tickets in advance. I've never landed in Curacao without tickets to Bonaire, generally ALM, before, so... It would just give us a head start on getting a car and some groceries, beer, etc. and positioning us to enjoy the sunset at Richards'.

I'll be doing the same thing four days from now, except I have a ticket in hand for the 5 pm flight. They said if I made it for the 3:30 and they have room they will switch me.
I'll let you know what happens.
You can't carry on bags on Divi Divi, but I assume you can hand them over at the plane.

Do you literally have a ticket in hand? If so you can go through the In transit and skip customs. I'll look forwar to hearing how you do.

I have my ticket, but I must go through customs because I will check two bags, so I must pick them up and recheck them with Divi Divi.
I'm surprised you can bring all your stuff in carry-on bags. The airlines are limiting people to one carry-on each. Are you divers?
Anyway, carry-on only is a smart way to travel. Wish I could do that.
Next week I will let you know about my adventure.

We don't bother to dive because we think the snorkeling is so good, and simple. And we'll do a wash after our first week. How did you get tickets?I didn't think they could sell in the US but would love to get tickets. Thanks.

I live on Bonaire.
I snorkeled here for years before I got certified to dive, but the diving is remarkable. Now I do both.

A-ha. Mystery solved. Envy initiated. Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing how you make out.

Now that I have refreshed my memory during my latest Curacao entry yesterday, I'm not sure what you have in mind, but here's what I can tell you:
When you enter the terminal, a left turn takes you to the in-transit entrance, which leads into the departure lounge. Don't know if they will let somebody enter there without a ticket however. And it would serve no useful purpose since you need to pick up your tickets and check your bags.
A right turn takes you to immigration. There is a special line marked "in transit " there, presumably for people who need to quickly go get their tickets and check their bags. You will need to have your immigration cards filled out to go through this line--an interesting quirk.
I saved time by using the "resident" line since I live in the Netherlands Antilles.
My plane landed on time or even a tad early. I made it to the Divi Divi counter (where I was greeted by name by a man who had never seen me before) in 30 minutes from the time the plane landed.
Then I had to go through immigration for departure.
I have left out one thing. American Airlines lost one of my suitcases. But that's another story, not related to your question. FYI, I still do not have it.
For you to make the 3:30 flight, your plane could not be at all late, your bags would need to come off quickly (neither a guarantee), the lines would need to be short at both immigration points, and your ticket would need to be all ready (very likely; Divi Divi is efficient--like he had looked at his list and could guess my name). But if you miss the flight, I would say it's likely they would put you on the next flight instead of making you pay for more tickets, like other airlines would do. They are a little family-owned and run operation.
What I don't understand is how the two of you could separate if the left turn, in-transit check point into the departure lounge won't let you through without a ticket. And doing so would not help you, since the Divi Divi counter is outside the departure area.
The distances are all very short. Much less walking is required to do all this than is the case on Aruba.
I hope this has been some help. Good luck! And please keep your fingers crossed about my suitcase turning up on Bonaire one day.

Thanks very much, Tish. I guess we'll go with the 5 o'clock reservations to be sure, and then see if one of us can make the earlier flight. Remembering my many trips through there with different incarnations of ALM, which never lost my suitcases, being the exception that proves the rule, I guess, makes me wish I could avoid customs and waltz through, once again. So I think we'll do carry-ons to be first in line and avoid loss, try for early and settle for late. Even looking out at 18" of snowfall north of Boston, I still wish you the best in your prayers for your lost suitcase.

I believe you've made the correct choice, Larry, especially since I forgot to mention that they load the plane ten or fifteen minutes before takeoff at the flight departure time.
I have many ALM stories, but the one I recall most vividly is when we took off from Atlanta during a storm and were hit by lightning. The plane's electrical system crackled, the cabin attendants ran around in my vicinity (where it hit) and in and out of the cockpit, and we smelled something singed, but we made it to Bonaire without further mishap.
Come to Gibi's on Tuesday night!

tish, keep us informed on the status of your suitcase. good luck

Suitcase has arrived, two days late. This was entirely American Airlines' fault--nothing to do with Divi Divi.