SJU Tips

[BURNSMN]

Just back from Caribbean Princess cruise 3/29 and thought I would post a few tips about SJU:

 

Do not forget to get your bags inspected by the USDA. We saw hundreds of people having to get out of airline check in lines and go back for inspection.

 

If you are traveling back on an airline other than American, especially Air Tran, Delta, United, US Air, Northwest, and others that use that Concourse if you have extra time do not go out to your gate. After check in head towards the American Terminal to the left as your face the building. There are many stores, restaurants, a casino and security check in lines that are much shorter. Once your are though security there are also many areas to relax, shop, or eat without the chaos of the other Concourse. When you are ready to go to the gate you can connect through the terminal without going back through security. Using these tips we had a much more relaxing wait of a few hours than if we would have gone right to our gate.

[JinxyB]

I just got off the same cruise and totally agree with what you said. SJU was the most confusing airport and was very chaotic! You would think they would be used to the Sunday cruise turn-around, but I guess not. The secirity line was over an hour long and they had one guy checking IDs/boarding pass. They had a few screening terminals shut down, too. :confused: Why they would not operate every station when there are hundreds of people in line is beyond me!

 

I highly recommend eating before you get to the concourse, because the selection in the gate area is pretty pathetic (and a rip-off)!

 

I also thought it was somewhat confusing upon arrival to SJU concerning baggage pick-up.

[davidnsteph]

Just back from Caribbean Princess cruise 3/29 and thought I would post a few tips about SJU:

 

Do not forget to get your bags inspected by the USDA. We saw hundreds of people having to get out of airline check in lines and go back for inspection.

 

If you are traveling back on an airline other than American, especially Air Tran, Delta, United, US Air, Northwest, and others that use that Concourse if you have extra time do not go out to your gate. After check in head towards the American Terminal to the left as your face the building. There are many stores, restaurants, a casino and security check in lines that are much shorter. Once your are though security there are also many areas to relax, shop, or eat without the chaos of the other Concourse. When you are ready to go to the gate you can connect through the terminal without going back through security. Using these tips we had a much more relaxing wait of a few hours than if we would have gone right to our gate.

 

Thanks for the heads up. We'll be flying home from SJU this Fall, and will allow extra time. The USDA inspections must have been recently added. We didn't have them in December 2006 when we were last there.

 

DavidnSteph

[Times Prince]

I just got off the same cruise and totally agree with what you said. SJU was the most confusing airport and was very chaotic! You would think they would be used to the Sunday cruise turn-around, but I guess not. The secirity line was over an hour long and they had one guy checking IDs/boarding pass. They had a few screening terminals shut down, too. :confused: Why they would not operate every station when there are hundreds of people in line is beyond me!

 

I highly recommend eating before you get to the concourse, because the selection in the gate area is pretty pathetic (and a rip-off)!

 

I also thought it was somewhat confusing upon arrival to SJU concerning baggage pick-up.

This sounds way too familiar - I remember one trip where the only food available was from a hot dog stand, and when I desparately went back for something else to eat it was closed.

 

Probably the best advice about San Juan's airport is to avoid it if at all possible.